MUSÉE DE VILLÈLE
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Located in the commune of Saint-Paul, Réunion's first "site-museum", built on a vast colonial estate, evokes the prosperity of a Creole family who left their mark on the island's history in the 17th and 19th centuries, during the era of slavery. This illustrious family, who built a sugar factory on their estate in Villèle in 1827, contributed to the island's economic development under the leadership ofMme Desbassayns (1755-1846), an emblematic and highly controversial figure in Reunionese history. Her death marked the end of the estate's prosperity, which passed to the heirs, the fruit of an alliance with a noble family from Toulouse, the Villèle family. The guided tour takes in the master's house (where temporary educational, historical and artistic exhibitions take place), the master's kitchen outside the main building, the slave hospital (where a memorial was inaugurated in 1996) and the remains of the sugar factory. Finally, you can discover the small Pointed Chapel, built on a small hill between 1841 and 1843, a place of worship and the scene of the evangelization of the estate's slaves. The Musée de Villèle also boasts a number of collections, including period furniture, model ships, silverware, prints and lithographs... A fascinating visit that leaves no visitor indifferent. Educational tours are also organized.
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Members' reviews on MUSÉE DE VILLÈLE
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Très éducatif sur le côté sombre de ce système basé sur l'esclavage.
Très beau jardin, et les bâtiments (hôpital), 1er étage de la maison sont très bien documentés. Belle expo (Un grand 20 décembre à Villèle pour les 170 ans de l'abolition de l'esclavage).La chapelle pointue est très jolie.
Je recommande ce joli musée très riche d'histoire.
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Chapeau bas Patrick ,vous êtes un grand Homme avec un cœur énorme. Vous m avez bouleversé. Merci. Arnaud