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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The General's villa, also known as the General's house, is an iconic residence on the island of La Réunion, located at 49 rue de Paris in downtown Saint-Denis. Built between the late 1840s and the early 1850s, it embodies the Creole architecture of the first half of the 19th century, with a particularly neat street façade, contrasting with other elevations covered with shingles. Its status as a Historic Monument, obtained on 5 July 1993, underlines its heritage importance, reinforced by its acquisition in 1999 by the Réunion Region.

The roof of the villa, composed of eight slopes, presents an original system of water flow inside the structure. At the beginning of the 20th century, notable changes were made: the wall of enclosure was replaced by a wrought iron grid, while columns were added to the ground floor to support a balcony decorated with Art Deco motifs on the first floor. This balcony, surrounded by an openworked board railing, is surmounted by a pediment decorated with a double lamprequin frieze, reflecting the stylistic evolutions of the era.

Classified with its outbuildings, gardens and courtyard (cadastre AM 212), the villa of the General bears witness to the way of life of the colonial elites in Réunion. Its hybrid architecture, combining local traditions and European influences, makes it a remarkable example of the Réunion heritage. Today owned by the Region, it remains a symbol of the urban history of Saint-Denis and the architectural heritage of the island.

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