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Origin and history

The L'Herminier Pavilion, located at the corner of Sadi-Carnot and Jean-Jaurès streets in Pointe-à-Pitre, was built in 1873 by engineer Suffit to replace the old Chamber of Agriculture destroyed by fire in 1871. The land, acquired from the heirs of the L'Herminier family, houses a brick and iron building, typical of colonial architecture, with an elevated ground floor and a cast iron gallery. From its opening, it houses Ferdinand Joseph L'Herminier's botanical and zoological collections, as well as the meetings of the Chamber of Agriculture.

In 1930, the pavilion was raised to add a floor, accessible by an external staircase. The tiled roof, rare in Guadeloupe, and the zinc ornaments (brained, marquise) distinguish this building. In the 20th century, it became the L'Herminier Museum, dedicated to natural sciences, before its closure. The site, including the gardens and the wrought iron gate, was listed as historical monuments in 2008 for its architecture and history related to agriculture and botany.

The fire of 1871, which ravaged part of Pointe-à-Pitre, prompted the House of Agriculture to adopt a modern project of resistant materials (brick, iron). The gate, adorned with wrought iron rinseaux, still bears the inscription MUSEUM OF AGRICULTURE THE HERMINIER. Dependencies and a circular basin complete the whole, testifying to its past use as a place of knowledge and exchange.

The building illustrates the post-disaster adaptation of Guadeloupeian infrastructures, combining functionality (debate room, library) and scientific heritage. Its inscription in 2008 highlights its historical, architectural and memorial value for Guadeloupe, linked to the legacy of the L'Herminier, family of pharmacist and botanist.

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