Château Hagen, French colonial villa in Noumea, New Caledonia
Château Hagen is a stone villa featuring classical French architecture with symmetrical facades, prominent entrance pediments, and small pavilions at each corner of the main structure. The residence is surrounded by botanical gardens that occupy the grounds and display a range of plant collections.
The villa was constructed between 1889 and 1892 by the Préveraud de Sonneville family and took its current name when Lucy Hagen purchased the property in 1903. This acquisition marked a turning point in how the house was used and eventually preserved.
The building hosts exhibitions exploring New Caledonia's heritage and the interconnected stories of French settlers and indigenous Kanak communities through displays and collections. These presentations help visitors understand the different perspectives that shaped the region's past.
The property is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 13:00 and 16:00, with guided tours available through both the building and its botanical gardens. Visitors should expect restricted opening hours and may want to check in advance whether tours are running on their preferred date.
The gardens contain around 135 plant varieties, including many native species of New Caledonia, making the grounds an open-air classroom for botanical study. This diversity allows visitors to experience the region's plant life all in one location.
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