Saint-John Perse Museum

Museum - Pointe-à-Pitre

The museum, located at 9, rue de Nozières, is also known as “Villa Souques-Pagès,” after its original occupants, the managers of the Darboussier factory. Its architectural style (circa 1880) is reminiscent of the typical buildings of New Orleans, and the building owes its elegance to the Eiffel-style metal framework and the miniature columns on the second floor. The yellow brick façade is adorned with multi-colored decorations, reminiscent of “azulejo” tiles. Now listed as a Historic Building, it was inaugurated as the Saint-John Perse museum in 1987 during the centenary celebrations commemorating the life of Alexis Léger (alias Saint-John Perse). The museum is dedicated to the life and work of the poet, diplomat and winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1960. Inside, the décor of paneled walls, ornate ceilings, and chandeliers serves as an appropriate backdrop to a collection of the man’s personal effects, alongside some period pieces.. In the garden is a sculpted mask of the poet by Andras Beck.