Rwanda : Historical Hotel Faucon to be renovated

The Huye district council has finally resolved on a decision to renovate a historical hotel (Hotel Faucon) and recommended that the process should ensure that historical artifacts, be preserved in the process.

Hotel Falcon is located in the former Butare province (now Huye district) – which was considered as the administrative region of the colonial rulers in Rwanda.
The District Mayor, Eugene Kayiranga Muzuka said on January 28th that the renovation and upgrading project on the hotel will be done in consultation with the Institute of National Museums and the current owners of the hotel. He also said that the project timeline will be discussed on a later stage.

The hotel contains a special room that used to be occupied by Rwanda’s King- Mutara III Rudahingwa and other historical artifacts including rooms that used to be occupied by the Belgian royal families.

The council meeting said that while it is necessary to revamp the hotel among other old fashioned building that are mostly seen in Huye district, the historical aspects and features of the hotel should be maintained.

Residents say that Faucon Hotel used to be the most prestigious and perfect spot for the high class citizens and local leaders (who were known as chefs) between the 50’s and 60’s.
Yohani Batista Sebukangaga, who is now in his early 70’s, says that this hotel is considered to be the symbol of the region and it was also a place where the King of Burundi (King Mwambutsa) used to be hosted while on his visit to Rwanda.

Faucon Hotel is believed to have been constructed in 1943, and it belonged to a Belgian called Faucon. The hotel was set ablaze and rehabilitated in 1962 and sold to local entrepreneurs.