Since 1996, the centre of Saint-Philippe boasts a family museum, the work of an antique lover from the region. You’ll discover a multitude of old objects ranging from tools to lamps, coins and official records as well as everyday objects, in one of the first five houses once in the village… These objects date back to the beginning of the 18th century up to the middle of the 20th century and cover the history of the first settlers in Réunion Island.

 “In 1830 Saint-Philippe becomes a fully-fledged commune and it is named after the king of that era.” Thus, starts the history of this region, revealed Raphael. Being an ex-soldier, he has had several jobs since having settled on the island in the nineteen-seventy’s.

Married to Jacqueline, whose family has always lived in this village, he quickly became interested in its cultural heritage. Thanks to the relationships that he has established over the years, Raphael has been able to get back or buy back all of the wonders on display in one of the first five ancient houses, built around 1850.

Outside the ecomuseum, one can hear about the history of the transportation of water, the sugar factories as well as that of the distilling of vetiver and geraniums. The visitor listens, amazed by the ingenuity of these men who survived over such a difficult period.

Abstract ideas

The ecomuseum also portrays a range of explanations on the daily life of the settlers over different eras. Several strange objects suddenly attract our attention… The lamp collection consists of a very queer candle that has umbrella ribs on which candlenuts are attached.

These candlenuts, being
particularly greasy, burn slowly and light up one after another therefore ensuring candlelight for as long as possible! The meat safe, installed in the rock face, was protected from insects by a petrol-filled rivulet cut into the volcanic rock.