The Enchanted Palace on Rue Rontaunay

Listen to the story of Palais Rontaunay, an 1800s Palace in Saint-Denis, La Réunion. Built by a wealthy Mauritian Merchant between 1854 and 1862, subsequently graced by both Council General and Council Regional, and inscribed on the Supplementary List of French Historical Monuments, before succumbing to fire in 2019.

In the heart of the 19th century, a wealthy gentlemen named Julien Gaultier, hailing from Mauritius, set his sights on Saint-Denis, the capital of La Réunion. On Rue Rontaunay, he erected a glowing palace, with walls white as moonlight and a rooftop adorned with red tiles. This magnificent abode, now known as Palais Rontaunay, served as a gathering place for the Council General of La Réunion for a time. The Council Regional of La Réunion also temporarily took up residence in this enchanted palace. On June 26, 1997, it was inscribed on the Supplementary List of French Historical Monuments, making it a captivating landmark in the district. Alas, Palais Rontaunay was lost to flames in 2019.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

The Enchanted Palace on Rue Rontaunay

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