Réunion Department Awards €31.9M Villèle Historical Museum Rehabilitation Contracts

The Réunion Department (Département de la Réunion) has awarded a series of construction contracts for the complete rehabilitation of the Villèle Historical Museum, with a total value of €31.9 million. The procurement is divided into 16 lots covering earthworks, structural shell, masonry, roofing, joinery, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, and more. Winners include AUSTRAL AMENAGEMENT ET DEVELOPPEMENT, GROUPEMENT SOCIETE REUNIONNAISE DE RENOVATION / SBTPC SOGEA REUNION, SMBR, COVERIS, and others. One lot received no tenders.

Introduction

The Réunion Department (Département de la Réunion), the local authority for the French overseas department of Réunion, has conducted an open procedure for the complete rehabilitation of the Villèle Historical Museum. The project involves the restoration and renovation of this important heritage site on the island.

The procurement is divided into 16 specialist lots covering all aspects of construction and restoration. The total value of contracts awarded is €31,895,121.22. The main works include earthworks, structural shell, masonry (including historical monument masonry), roofing, waterproofing, joinery, electrical, plumbing, lifts, landscaping, and fencing.

Multiple winners were selected across the lots, including AUSTRAL AMENAGEMENT ET DEVELOPPEMENT, GROUPEMENT SOCIETE REUNIONNAISE DE RENOVATION / SBTPC SOGEA REUNION, SMBR, COVERIS, and others. One lot (Lot 8 – Wooden Joinery) received no tenders and was closed.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the preservation and restoration of a key historical heritage site on Réunion Island, supporting cultural tourism and local employment.

This contract matters because it:

• Preserves heritage: Restores the Villèle Historical Museum
• Significant value: €31,895,121.22
• Comprehensive scope: 16 specialist lots
• Long-term commitment: Up to 24 months of works
• Local employment: Numerous local contractors engaged
• Quality focus: 50% technical value weighting
• Environmental & social focus: 5% each for environmental and social criteria

Contract Timeline

• Contracts concluded: 12 May 2026
• Firm tranche duration: 15 months (plus 1 month preparation)
• Optional tranches: 20-24 months
• Notice published: 7 September 2026 (OJ S 172/2026)

Contract Overview

The Réunion Department conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• 16 lots: Covering all construction and restoration works
• Total awarded value: €31,895,121.22
• Firm tranche: €13,961,787.37 (15 months)
• Optional tranches: Up to €14,627,220.17
• Duration: 15-24 months depending on tranches
• No framework agreement: Direct works contracts
• Evaluation: Technical Value (50%), Environmental (5%), Social (5%), Price (40%)
• Winners: Multiple contractors (mostly local SMEs)
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Département de la Réunion
Contract title	Marché de travaux pour la réhabilitation complète du Musée Historique de Villèle
Main CPV	45212313 Museum construction work
Additional CPVs	45112710, 45223220, 45261000, etc.
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Total awarded value (EUR)	€31,895,121.22
Number of lots	16
Firm tranche duration	15 months + 1 month preparation
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Technical (50%), Environmental (5%), Social (5%), Price (40%)
Location	Saint-Denis, La Réunion (NUTS: FRY40)
Mediation	Comité consultatif interrégional
Review body	Tribunal administratif de Saint-Denis

Lot Structure

Lot	Title	Winner	Value (€)	Tenders
1	Earthworks / Roads & Utilities / Hydraulic Works	AUSTRAL AMENAGEMENT ET DEVELOPPEMENT	3,441,207.40	1
2	Structural Shell – Hard Flooring	GROUPEMENT SOCIETE REUNIONNAISE DE RENOVATION / SBTPC SOGEA REUNION	3,964,998.80	6
3	Masonry MH – Painting MH	SMBR	2,374,457.08	1
4	Envelope (Roofing, Cladding, Covering, Sunshade)	GROUPEMENT CONSTRUCTION METALLIQUE REUNION / ECIS	7,010,513.00	1
5	Waterproofing	ARBRE OI	385,033.50	3
6	External Joinery / Curtain Walls / Shading	COVERIS	3,891,648.74	2
7	Locksmithing / Metalwork	GROUPEMENT SCMR / BMSO	249,591.00	2
8	Wooden Joinery	No winner (closed)	–	0
9	Restoration of Wooden Joinery MH	ASSELIN	939,050.41	1
10	Partitions – Paintings	DECO DESIGN	350,974.83	3
11	Electricity CFO-CFA / Lighting	SEBS	2,502,355.82	3
12	Plumbing – Air Conditioning – Fire Protection	GROUPEMENT TUNZINI / PEMJ	905,230.06	4
13	Lifting Equipment	GROUPEMENT MONTANOU / RIVIERE SCHINDLER	72,700.00	4
14	Flooring and Masonry	BUFFI SOC AMENAGEMENT TRAVAUX PAYSAGERS	1,665,389.76	3
15	Fencing, Ironwork, Metal-Wood Works, Outdoor Furniture	KRUGELL	1,358,142.04	3
16	Planting – Irrigation – Fountain Works	GROUPEMENT ESPACES VERTS ET ENVIRONNEMENT / LA MARE ESPACES VERTS / IRRIG'MATIC LA REUNION	2,783,828.78	3
Total			31,895,121.22

Evaluation Criteria

All lots use the same evaluation criteria:

• Technical Value (50%): Quality of the proposed technical solution
• Environmental Value (5%): Environmental performance and sustainability
• Social Performance (5%): Social inclusion and employment practices
• Price (40%): Overall cost of the works

Strategic Procurement – Environmental and Social Objectives

The procurement includes strategic objectives:

• Environmental: Reduction of environmental impacts (approach: Other)
• Social: Social objective promoted (Other)

About the Contracting Authority

Département de la Réunion is the local authority for the French overseas department of Réunion, located in the Indian Ocean. The department is responsible for infrastructure, heritage, and public services on the island.

About the Winners

The contracts were awarded to a mix of local Réunion-based companies and mainland French companies:

• AUSTRAL AMENAGEMENT ET DEVELOPPEMENT: Réunion-based SME (Lot 1)
• GROUPEMENT SOCIETE REUNIONNAISE DE RENOVATION / SBTPC SOGEA REUNION: Large local group (Lot 2)
• SMBR: Large mainland French company (Lot 3)
• GROUPEMENT CONSTRUCTION METALLIQUE REUNION / ECIS: Réunion-based SME (Lot 4)
• ARBRE OI: Réunion-based SME (Lot 5)
• COVERIS: Large mainland French company (Lot 6)
• GROUPEMENT SCMR / BMSO: Réunion-based SME (Lot 7)
• ASSELIN: Large mainland French company (Lot 9)
• DECO DESIGN: Réunion-based SME (Lot 10)
• SEBS: Réunion-based SME (Lot 11)
• GROUPEMENT TUNZINI / PEMJ: Large mainland/Réunion consortium (Lot 12)
• GROUPEMENT MONTANOU / RIVIERE SCHINDLER: Réunion-based SME (Lot 13)
• BUFFI SOC AMENAGEMENT TRAVAUX PAYSAGERS: Réunion-based SME (Lot 14)
• KRUGELL: Réunion-based SME (Lot 15)
• GROUPEMENT ESPACES VERTS ET ENVIRONNEMENT / LA MARE ESPACES VERTS / IRRIG'MATIC LA REUNION: Réunion-based SME consortium (Lot 16)

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Competition: 0-6 tenders per lot.
• SME participation: Most winners are SMEs.
• Subcontracting: Lot 1 declared subcontracting (1% for asbestos removal).
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement: Direct works contracts.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: Environmental and social objectives included.
• Review body: Tribunal administratif de Saint-Denis.
• Mediation organisation: Comité consultatif interrégional.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The total awarded value is €31,895,121.22.
• Lot 4 (Envelope) is the largest lot at €7,010,513.
• Lot 13 (Lifting Equipment) is the smallest at €72,700.
• Lot 2 received the most tenders (6).
• Lot 8 received no tenders (closed).
• Lots 1, 3, 4, and 9 each received only 1 tender.
• Most winners are Réunion-based SMEs.
• Technical Value is weighted at 50%.
• Environmental and Social criteria are each weighted at 5%.
• Price is weighted at 40%.
• The museum is a historical monument (MH).

Market & Industry Perspective

The French public works market in overseas departments is characterised by strong local participation, with many SMEs competing alongside larger mainland firms. Heritage restoration projects require specialist skills in historical monument (MH) conservation.

Key trends in this market include:

• Heritage preservation: Investment in historical monument restoration
• Local participation: Strong presence of Réunion-based SMEs
• Quality focus: 50% weighting on technical value
• Environmental & social: Growing focus on sustainability and social inclusion
• Multi-lot procurement: Specialised lots for different trades

Economic Significance

At €31.9 million, this procurement represents a significant investment in heritage preservation and local employment on Réunion Island. The contract will:

• Preserve heritage: Restore the Villèle Historical Museum
• Support local economy: Most winners are Réunion-based SMEs
• Create employment: Work for construction companies
• Promote sustainability: Environmental criteria included
• Support social inclusion: Social performance criteria included

Future Procurement Opportunities

With these contracts now in place, future opportunities include:

• Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance of the restored museum
• Optional tranches: Potential additional works (vegetation maintenance, new building construction)
• Other heritage sites: Similar restoration projects on Réunion Island
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winners

Opportunities for Suppliers

While these contracts are awarded, opportunities remain for construction and restoration suppliers:

• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winners (e.g., Lot 1 declared subcontracting)
• Optional tranches: Potential additional works (Lots 1-4 optional tranches)
• Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance of the restored museum
• Other heritage sites: Similar restoration projects

What Businesses Should Watch

• Réunion Department's future procurement notices
• Other French overseas department heritage projects
• Heritage restoration market trends
• Changes to French procurement regulations

FranceTenders Procurement Intelligence

This museum rehabilitation procurement is a notable example of French overseas department heritage restoration. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €31.9M across 16 lots
• Competition: 0-6 tenders per lot
• Quality focus: 50% weighting on technical value
• SME participation: Most winners are SMEs
• Local focus: Strong Réunion-based participation
• Heritage: Historical monument (MH) restoration

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Technical quality: Technical Value accounts for 50%
• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 40%
• Environmental performance: 5% weighting
• Social performance: 5% weighting
• Heritage expertise: Historical monument (MH) restoration skills

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate high technical quality – 50% of evaluation
• Offer competitive pricing – 40% weighting
• Show environmental and social commitment – 5% each
• Build heritage restoration expertise (MH)
• Develop local presence in Réunion
• Monitor Réunion Department and French overseas department procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Réunion Department awarded €31.9M in museum rehabilitation contracts
• 16 lots covering earthworks, structural shell, masonry, roofing, joinery, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, etc.
• Winners: Multiple contractors (mostly Réunion-based SMEs)
• Lot 8 (Wooden Joinery) received no tenders
• Evaluation: Technical (50%), Environmental (5%), Social (5%), Price (40%)
• 0-6 tenders per lot
• Historical monument (MH) restoration project
• No EU funding

Conclusion

This museum rehabilitation procurement ensures the preservation and restoration of the Villèle Historical Museum, an important heritage site on Réunion Island. By awarding contracts across 16 specialist lots to a mix of local SMEs and larger firms, the Réunion Department secures specialised expertise while supporting the local economy.

The 50% weighting on technical value reflects the importance of quality and heritage conservation expertise, while the 5% weightings on environmental and social criteria demonstrate the Department's commitment to sustainability and social inclusion. The strong local participation (most winners are Réunion-based SMEs) reflects the department's support for the local economy.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of technical quality, heritage expertise, and local presence in winning French overseas department construction contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Réunion Department?

Ans: The local authority for the French overseas department of Réunion, responsible for infrastructure, heritage, and public services.

Q: What is the value of the contracts?

Ans: €31,895,121.22 total across 16 lots.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: Multiple contractors including AUSTRAL AMENAGEMENT ET DEVELOPPEMENT, GROUPEMENT SOCIETE REUNIONNAISE DE RENOVATION / SBTPC SOGEA REUNION, SMBR, COVERIS, and others.

Q: What is being restored?

Ans: The Villèle Historical Museum (Musée Historique de Villèle), a historical monument (MH) on Réunion Island.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Technical Value (50%), Environmental (5%), Social (5%), Price (40%).

Q: How many lots are there?

Ans: 16 lots.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: 0-6 tenders per lot.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: Tribunal administratif de Saint-Denis.

Q: Which lot received no tenders?

Ans: Lot 8 – Wooden Joinery.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 615027-2026, OJ S 172/2026, published 7 September 2026.

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