Historic monuments · La Possession
Lazarets de la Grande Chaloupe
Former quarantine stations built from 1860 to isolate indentured labourers arriving from countries where epidemics were rife, before they joined the island's sugar cane plantations.
Why it matters
A key site of memory for contract immigration (engagisme), quarantine and the peopling of Réunion after abolition; the last large quarantine complex preserved on the island.
History
The Grande Chaloupe quarantine system was set up in the 19th century to isolate travellers and indentured labourers in order to limit epidemics. The French Ministry of Culture states that more than 46,000 indentured labourers of various origins entered the colony during the period of operation studied. Lazaret No. 1 is on the La Possession side and No. 2 on the Saint-Denis side. The site retains dormitories, remains of sanitary facilities and burial areas.
Architecture
Two lazarets (quarantine stations), No. 1 at La Possession and No. 2 at Saint-Denis, with two-storey dormitories, a longhouse and a cemetery
Sources (2)
- https://archeologie.culture.gouv.fr/ocean-indien/fr/saint-denis-lazarets-de-la-grande-chaloupe
- https://www.departement974.fr/lazaret
