Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house of historian Lacour, located at 4 rue de l'Historian-Lacour in Basse-Terre, is a modest colonial dwelling built in the second half of the 19th century. It illustrates the typical architecture of the Creole houses of this period, with a wooden structure on stone foundations. This one-storey building reflects the lifestyle of the local middle classes during the colonial period.

The house was built in 1867 by Auguste Lacour (1805-1869), renowned historian of Guadeloupe, on land he had just acquired in the Saint-François district. He lived there until his death in 1869. At the beginning of the 21st century, the municipality of Basse-Terre became the owner and transformed it into a cultural space dedicated to the interpretation of local heritage, under the label "City of art and history".

On 27 April 2016, the house, as well as its pool-reservoir, portal and gardens, was listed as historical monuments. This classification protects the entire parcel, including the original architectural and landscape elements. Today, the site reflects both the urban history of Basse-Terre and the life of Auguste Lacour, a major intellectual figure of Guadeloupe in the 19th century.

External links