Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Villa Déramond-Barre is a Creole villa built on the eve of the French Revolution in the current rue de Paris, in Saint-Denis de La Réunion. It is distinguished by its symmetrical architecture in front, contrasting with a backyard covered with shingles. Ranked a historic monument on 6 July 1987, it embodies a major architectural and cultural heritage of the island, mixing European and local influences.

The land originally belonged to the East Indies Company before passing into the hands of prominent personalities. In 1814, Antoine Desforges Parny, half-brother of the poet Évariste de Parny, became its owner. The villa then saw the birth in 1838 of the poet Léon Dierx, who lived there until 1860, when he left for metropolitan France.

In 1906, the villa was acquired by Dr Octave Déramond. His grandson, Raymond Barre, was born there in 1924 and left her at 20 to join Tamatave during her mobilization. He became Prime Minister of France and contributed to the fame of the place. Since 1983, the villa has belonged to the department of La Réunion and houses the services of the architect of the French buildings.

The protected elements include the facades, the interior with its staircase and variangues, as well as the garden with its bronze statues. The outbuildings, such as the Creole kitchen, stables and washhouse, bear witness to the daily life of the past. The villa thus combines political, literary and architectural history.

Property is today a symbol of Réunion memory, linking literary and political figures throughout the centuries. Its ranking also covers details such as the inner fountain or bread ovens, reflecting a preserved Creole lifestyle.

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