BISDARY HOUSE

Classified as a historical monument since 2007, the Habitation Bisdary has been owned by the City of Gourbeyre since 2015. Built at the beginning of the 18th century, it belonged to the Jesuits for more than half a century. It is one of the largest sugar houses, which covered several hundred hectares. More than 300 slaves worked there daily. During the English attack in 1759, the buildings were burned down. Faced with the expense of repairs, the Jesuits were forced to sell the property. In 1783, part of the buildings again fell prey to fire. The hurricanes of 1816 and 1825 further damaged the building. The remains of the five buildings (the mansion and its annex, the manager's house, the hut, the bonifier's house, the aqueduct and the oven), which bear witness to the island's industrial and colonial past, will soon be rehabilitated as part of the "Together, let's save our heritage" project, which aims to preserve important heritage sites. The first phase of the project will involve the restoration of several buildings (framework, roofing, woodwork), including the Bonifierie and the development of the Habitation park. The second phase will focus on the overall restoration of the main house and the development of a secondary building.

The site should become an interpretation centre for the history and heritage of South Basse-Terre, a place of remembrance which will also help to diversify the tourist offer of the area.