Francia Great House, Colonial plantation house in Saint George, Barbados.
Francia Great House is an early 20th-century residence near Gun Hill Signal Station, standing on a wooded hillside surrounded by terraced gardens. It features a triple-arched entrance and an enclosed upper balcony constructed from coral stone and wood craftsmanship.
The house was built between 1910 and 1913 by French settler René Mourraille after his marriage to a local Barbadian woman. The estate grew yams and sweet potatoes rather than the sugar crops common to the island at that time.
The building shows French design mixed with Barbadian coral stone work and wooden details that visitors can see throughout its rooms. This blend tells a story about how different cultures came together in one household.
The property now functions as an elementary school, so visiting requires awareness of school operating hours and educational activities taking place. It is best to check ahead about the right time to visit to see the historical spaces without disrupting the current use of the buildings.
Inside are collections of antique mahogany furniture and West Indian maps from the early 16th century that show the historical connections of the region. These items reveal how the household was linked through trade and networks to other parts of the Caribbean.
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