Religious heritage · Saint-Benoît
Église Sainte-Anne
The East
Why go
A major religious and architectural landmark of eastern Réunion. The building owes its highly unusual appearance to its profuse ornamentation: cement mouldings, statues, decorative features and gargoyles. François Truffaut shot a scene of Mississippi Mermaid (La Sirène du Mississippi) here in 1969.
History
The first building was begun in the 19th century, with construction starting in 1857 and completion in 1863 according to official tourism sources. In the 20th century, the arrival of Father Daubenberger ushered in a period of major decorative transformation.
Sources (2)
- https://pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/IA00040339
- https://www.reunion.fr/organisez/conseils-de-voyage/questions-reponses/que-faire-a-la-reunion/
