Built in 1841 on the grounds of the old Villèle estate, Chapelle Pointue is one of the oldest remaining religious structures on Réunion’s west coast. Made of volcanic stone and lime mortar, its clean, triangular silhouette gives it the nickname “pointue,” or pointed. The chapel was commissioned by Madame Desbassayns, a prominent figure in the island’s plantation history, a name tied to both wealth and the darker legacy of slavery in Réunion.

Today, the chapel no longer functions for regular worship but has been restored as a cultural monument. Its remote setting in the Savanna district gives it a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. You can walk around the grounds, peek inside when open, and admire how the stone structure has weathered almost two centuries of cyclones, heat, and history.

👉 Pair a visit here with a stop at the nearby Musée de Villèle. The two sites tell the full story of the estate and its place in Réunion's colonial past.