Centro Cultural Casona Dubois, French eclectic mansion in Quinta Normal, Chile

The Casona Dubois is a roughly 600-square-metre eclectic mansion with a basement, two floors and two towers that give access to a third level. Its first stage, the mansard roof and lookout, was finished in 1912; a second stage, built after 1920, turned the main facade toward Avenida Mapocho. It stands inside Parque Dubois, in the block bounded by Mapocho, Radal, Ayuntamiento and Padre Tadeo.

French engineer André Dubois commissioned the house in 1908 while working on Santiago's public lighting system and completed it in 1912. The residence reflects the French architectural influence that shaped the city during this period of growth.

The center hosts regular music performances, dance shows, and theater events that draw people from the neighborhood together. These spaces serve as gathering points for artistic activities and community creative projects.

The center is easily accessible by bus, with several routes serving the neighborhood and free parking available for visitors. Hours vary based on events and programs, so it is best to check ahead before making a trip.

Local legend holds that the Dubois couple, unable to have children, hired a witch who told them to place gargoyles in the garden. The figures, said to have birds' beaks and women's breasts, were considered frightening but a symbol of fertility. The story is told as a legend, not documented fact.