La Bastille

Overlooking Victoria, La Bastille stands as a silent witness to the passage of time. It’s not a replica of the infamous French prison, despite its name. La Bastille holds a unique Seychellois story. This grand mansion, painted in elegant white and yellow, has witnessed a fascinating evolution. La Bastille was built in the early 1930s. Its owner was Ange Pilleron, a wealthy resident. The design, by Alfredo Leit, reflected the Pilleron family’s prosperity. Sadly, tragedy struck just a few years later. Ange Pilleron died in 1937. His family continued to live at La Bastille until 1948. Then, the government of Seychelles purchased the property. La Bastille then stood vacant for years. It underwent major renovations. These transformed the grand home into office spaces. This marked a significant shift. La Bastille became one of the first places in Seychelles to house government departments. In 1973, the Survey Division of the Public Works Department occupied some of the offices. The Ministry of Education followed in 1975. From 1981 to the mid-1990s, La Bastille housed the National Archives. Today, it fittingly houses the National Heritage division of the Ministry of The Arts, Culture and Sports. La Bastille’s journey reflects the changing landscape of Seychelles itself. From a family home to a symbol of national heritage, it has seen it all.