Town Halls and Public Buildings to visit Réunion

Facing the Barachois, this building, originally planned as a department store, became the grand lodge upon its delivery in 1739. It is the official residence of the island's governors. Its current architecture is the sum of several campaigns of work. In 1822, Jean-François Gaudin added a forecourt surmounted by a dome and a belvedere. The varangues are equipped with neoclassical pillars and columns. Then in 1951, the architect Jean Hébrard had the belvedere removed and began the complete restoration of the building.

The town takes its name from Mr. Laleu, who was the first to build a racket on this stretch of coast. The small town became a commune in 1790 and was then named Saint-Leu. The land here was excellent for growing coffee, around which the town grew rapidly. The building housing the town hall is a remnant of this prosperous period. The most striking episode in the history of Saint-Leu is undoubtedly that of the slave revolt of 1811.