Dann Tan Lontan Museum
The Dann Tan Lontan Museum in Saint-André preserves the memory of daily Creole life on Réunion: antique furniture, agricultural tools, and traditions of the communities that shaped the island.
The Dann Tan Lontan Museum ("From times of old" in Réunion Creole) is located in Saint-André, on the northeast coast of Réunion. It preserves and presents the memory of Creole daily life and the communities that shaped the island: agricultural tools, antique furniture, domestic objects, and photographs bear witness to a way of life that has since disappeared.
What you'll see
The collections bring together objects related to sugar cane farming, domestic life, and Creole traditions. Local wooden furniture, kitchen utensils, traditional clothing, and archive documents illustrate several generations of life on Réunion. Particular attention is given to Malagasy, Tamil Indian, and African heritages that compose Saint-André's identity.
History and context
Saint-André is historically linked to sugar cane cultivation and Tamil Indian immigration, which was very present in this area of the island. The museum reflects the local commitment to preserving collective memory threatened by the rapid modernization of Réunion during the twentieth century.
Highlights of your visit
Creole everyday objects
The reconstruction of historical interiors — kitchen, bedroom, living room — gives a concrete sense of life in Creole houses of the previous century. Objects are often accompanied by their names in Réunion Creole.
Agricultural heritage
Sugar cane cutting tools, weighing instruments, and distillation equipment recall the central role of the sugar economy in building Réunion society.
Location and access
The museum is located in Saint-André, a town accessible from Saint-Denis via the coastal national road (RN2), about twenty kilometres to the east. Yellow minibus services (Car Jaune network) connect Saint-André to Saint-Denis. The town center is compact, and the museum is near other cultural facilities in the commune.
Nearby attractions
- Tamil temples of Saint-André — Saint-André is home to several active Tamil Hindu temples among the most vibrant on the island.
- Northeast coast of Réunion — The coastline between Saint-André and Sainte-Suzanne offers landscapes of sugar cane fields and volcanic cliffs.
- Sainte-Suzanne — Neighboring town to the north, known for its lighthouse and nearby Stella Matutina museum.
Frequently asked questions
The museum is open year-round. The dry season (May to November) is more pleasant for exploring Saint-André and its surroundings on foot.
A complete visit takes about one to one and a half hours, depending on your interest in the collections and explanations.
Yes. The Tamil temples of Saint-André, accessible on foot or by car, complement your discovery of the commune's cultural heritage well.
The everyday objects and interior reconstructions appeal easily to children. The museum is accessible to all ages.
The collections are presented in French, with Réunion Creole terms explained for visitors unfamiliar with the local language.
Interested in this visit?
We can include it in your personalised itinerary.
