The history of the village of Pouembout started in 1883, when the decision was taken to build a penitentiary. It was to extend over nearly 3,500 hectares. From this past, only two buildings remain: the Château Grimigni and Le Pigeonnier (the Pigeon Loft)…
Château Grimigni was built in 1886; after suffering storm damage, it was completely renovated in 2006. The building now accommodates Pouembout's media center, a cellar for exhibitions and – somewhat amazingly – the community cyberbase!
Built by forced laborers, the imposing architecture stands testament to the fact that the penal authorities not were only based in Bourail or on Île Nou, they also had noteworthy facilities in the North.
