Domaine du Grand Hazier, Colonial plantation estate in Sainte-Suzanne, Réunion Island.
Domaine du Grand Hazier is a colonial plantation estate with a main house, farm buildings, and expansive gardens covering about two hectares. A pathway lined with royal palms defines the property, and the gardens contain centuries-old trees along with rare plant species from various climates.
The property originated between 1674 and 1678 as a land grant from governor d'Orgeret to Jean Julien, who developed it with his Madagascan wife. The settlers built it into a significant agricultural operation that laid the foundation for what remains today on the island.
The estate reflects the arrival of people from different parts of the world, with African, Madagascan, and Indian influences visible in the buildings and how daily work unfolds. The way locals grow vanilla and ylang-ylang here still follows methods passed down through generations.
The site is accessible through guided tours that include the main house, farm areas, and gardens. Comfortable shoes are recommended since you walk across the grounds, which can be uneven in places.
A Hindu chapel stands alongside the French colonial buildings, a striking reminder of how different faiths coexisted on the island. This blend of structures reveals the complex story of human movement and exchange that shaped the island.
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