Hôtel de Ville, Sainte-Marie, Réunion
| Hôtel de Ville | |
|---|---|
The main frontage of the Hôtel de Ville in April 2009 | |
Interactive map of Hôtel de Ville | |
| General information | |
| Type | City hall |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical style |
| Location | Sainte-Marie, Réunion, France |
| Coordinates | 20°53′49″S 55°32′57″E / 20.8969°S 55.5493°E |
| Completed | 1860 |
The Hôtel de Ville (French pronunciation: [otɛl də vil], City Hall) is a municipal building in Sainte-Marie, Réunion, in the Indian Ocean, standing on Rue de la République.
History
Following the French Revolution, the town was elevated to the status of a commune in 1790,[1] and the town council decided to establish its own town hall. However, by the mid-19th century, the building was inadequate and, in 1853, the council considered selling it.[2] At this time, there were at least 27 sugar producers operating in Sainte-Marie, more than in any other town on the island.[3] This industrial production was supported by a large influx of indentured workers from South India known as the Malbars.[4]
In the context of this large increase in population, the town council led by the mayor, Charles Fitzgerald, decided to commission a new town hall. The site they selected was on the north side of Rue de la République. The new building was designed in the neoclassical style, built in brick with a cement render finish and was officially opened by the next mayor, Benjamin Vergoz, in 1860.[5][6]
The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of five bays facing onto Rue de la République. The central section of three bays contained three square headed doorways, which were recessed under a canopy supported by iron poles: on the first floor, there were three more square headed doorways, which were also recessed in a similar way, creating a balcony. The outer bays were fenestrated by casement windows with shutters on both floors and, at roof level, there was a cornice. Above the central section, there was a pediment with a clock in the tympanum. Internally, the principal room was the Salle des Marriages (wedding room).[7]
The building was restored after being severely damaged by Cyclone Jenny in February 1962. It was then modernised and extended in 1980.[8] In September 2022, the wedding room was renamed the Salle des Mariages Anne Mousse to commemorate the life of Anne Mousse, who was the first Réunionese woman born on the island.[9][10][11]
References
- ^ "Histoire de La Réunion: d'où vient le nom de Sainte-Marie?". La Petite Créole. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ Comte de La Barre de Nanteuil, Auguste (1862). Législation de l'Ile de la Réunion répertoire raisonné des lois, ordonnances royales, ordannances locales, décrets coloniaux, décrets impériaux, réglements et arrêtés d'un intérêt général, en vigueur dans cette colonie. Vol. 5. Donnaud. p. 139.
- ^ Geraud, Jean-François (1998). "Joseph Martial Wetzell (1793–1857): une révolution sucrière oubliée à La Réunion" (PDF). PRAG Université de La Réunion. p. 151.
- ^ Ghasarian, Christian (1990). Indianité à La Réunion: gestion d’une double identité, vivre au pluriel. Vivre au pluriel. Production sociale des identités à l'île Maurice et à l'île de la Réunion. Université de La Réunion. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ "La commune et son histoire". Town of Sainte-Marie. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ Murphy, Gwénael (1 September 2024). "Archives de la commune de Sainte-Marie (La Réunion). Inventaire pour les archives départementales et diocésaines, rapport de recherche". Université de La Réunion. p. 9.
Mairie, construction et réparations, acquisition d'un immeuble (1859–1912, 1923)
- ^ "Dénomination de la salle des mariages Anne Mousse". Town of Sainte-Marie. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ "Hôtel de Ville". Town of Sainte-Marie. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ "Anne Mousse (1668–1733)" (PDF). Town of Sainte-Marie. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ "Anne Mousse, aux origines du peuplement de La Réunion". Réunionnaises le mag. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ "Anne Mousse, première créole de l'île de La Réunion". France.info. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2025.