La Possession

Where the name comes from

It was here, in November 1649, that the third official taking of possession of the island took place: the bay where the ship put in was then named “la Possession du Roy” (the King's Possession).

History

La Possession is a municipality on the north-west coast that changed profoundly in the 20th century. Originally a farming area developed on the lowlands between Saint-Denis and Le Port, it became the site of major industrial and logistics projects thanks to its proximity to Réunion's commercial port, whose modern docks opened in the 1950s.

According to tradition, the municipality takes its name from the official taking of possession of the island by the representative of the French East India Company in the 17th century. Its territory includes the foothills of the Piton des Neiges and offers a gateway to the Cirque de Mafate via the GR R1 trail through Dos d'Âne. The Rivière des Galets, one of the widest rivers on the island, forms its natural boundary with Saint-Paul.

Now an industrial and residential municipality in the northern micro-region, La Possession is home to major business parks, logistics warehouses and infrastructure linked to the island's trade. Its population is growing steadily as families move in looking for housing that is more affordable than in Saint-Denis.

Landscapes

La Possession occupies the lowlands between the cliffs of the north-west coast and the first mountain foothills. The Rivière des Galets marks its western boundary. The hinterland climbs towards wooded ravines and the start of the trails leading to the Cirque de Mafate, one of the island's most spectacular landscapes.

Local culture

La Possession has a dual identity: a working-class, industrial town looking towards the commercial port, and a base for hikers and adventurers thanks to its direct access to the trails leading to Mafate. This duality between the world of port work and the call of the wild mountains shapes the town's social life.

Why it matters

The Lazarets (quarantine stations) of La Grande Chaloupe and access to Mafate via Dos d'Âne and Cap Noir: La Possession combines the memory of indentured immigration, rampart landscapes and hiking adventure.