La Possession, Saint-Paul Arrondissement, Réunion

History | Geography | Hotels | Education

🇫🇷 La Possession is a commune in the French overseas department of Réunion. It is located on the north-west side of the island of Réunion, between the capital of Saint-Denis and the commune of Le Port. To the territory of this commune belongs the major part of the Cirque of Mafate, a caldera of the dormant Piton des Neiges volcano. It is part of the Réunion National Park.

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History The territory of the commune of La Possession belonged to the commune of Saint-Paul until 1895.

In 1675 the first settlements were led by Jean Marquet (a creek was named for him). In 1699 sugar cane concessions were attributed to Texer de Mota, a Portuguese from India

From 1730-1767 construction of Chemin Crémont created the first paved walkway to the capital Saint-Denis. In 1797 the Rivière des Galets concession was attributed to Dr Rivière.

In 1833 a chapel was constructed, later replaced by a church. 1834: Still belonging to the commune of Saint-Paul, Réunion the territory of the futur commune becomes special section. From 1849–1854 La route de la Montagne (Mountain road) was built; the first reliable road connection to Saint-Denis.

In 1860 the lazaret of La Grande Chaloupe was constructed, which became the quarantine station of Réunion. In 1882 the railway Saint-Denis - Saint-Pierre and the harbour of Le Port were constructed. In 1886 the first steamers enter the new Pointe des Galets harbour. 1890 saw the creation of the La Possession commune. In 1895 part of the territory at the Pointe des Galets was split off to become the commune of Le Port.

In 1976 the new coastal highway to Saint-Denis was opened along with the closure of the railway Saint-Denis - Le Port.

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Geography Most of the caldera of Mafate belongs to the commune. Hiking trails connect Dos d'Âne via the river valley of Rivière des Galets to Grand Place and other îlets. Other trails connect La Possession to Saint-Denis, via La Grande Chaloupe.

At La Grande Chaloupe the partly restored lazaretto and the former train station can be visited. They have exhibitions about the history of the Réunion railroad, the lazaretto and indentured servitude in Réunion.

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Hotels Local hotels include: • Lodge Roche Tamarin • Le Pilon D'or.

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Education Three collèges and one lycée support the commune: • Collège Jean Albany, with 1130 students (2005) • Collège Texeira da Motta. • Collège R.Verges, with 740 students (2005) • Lycée Moulin Joli, with 1060 students (2006).

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Reunion Time 
Reunion Time
Image: Adobe Stock Unclesam #251105253

La Possession has a population of over 32,633 people. La Possession also forms part of the wider Saint-Paul Arrondissement which has a population of over 214,073 people. La Possession is situated 14 km north-east of Saint-Paul.

Twin Towns, Sister Cities La Possession has links with:

🇲🇬 Antanifotsy, Madagascar 🇰🇲 Barakani, The Comoros 🇨🇳 Foshan, China 🇲🇺 Port Louis, Mauritius 🇫🇷 Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France
Text Atribution: Wikipedia Text under CC-BY-SA license

Antipodal to La Possession is: -124.665,20.928

Locations Near: La Possession 55.3353,-20.9277

🇫🇷 Saint-Paul 55.279,-21 d: 9.9  

🇫🇷 Saint-Paul 55.27,-21.01 d: 11.4  

🇫🇷 Saint-Denis 55.457,-20.867 d: 14.3  

🇫🇷 Saint-Benoît 55.713,-21.034 d: 40.9  

🇫🇷 Saint-Pierre 55.478,-21.342 d: 48.4  

🇲🇺 Beau-Bassin Rose-Hill 57.467,-20.233 d: 234.9  

🇲🇺 Quatre Bornes 57.479,-20.266 d: 235  

🇲🇺 Beau Bassin-Rose Hill 57.471,-20.235 d: 235.3  

🇲🇺 Vacoas-Phoenix 57.493,-20.3 d: 235.1  

🇲🇺 Curepipe 57.517,-20.317 d: 237  

Antipodal to: La Possession -124.665,20.928

🇲🇽 San Quintín -115.933,30.55 d: 18634.4  

🇲🇽 Ensenada -116.6,31.85 d: 18560.2  

🇲🇽 Ciudad Constitución -111.68,25.048 d: 18610  

🇲🇽 Rosarito -117.05,32.333 d: 18539.3  

🇲🇽 Rosarito Beach -117.05,32.333 d: 18539.3  

🇲🇽 Tijuana -117.018,32.533 d: 18519  

🇺🇸 Chula Vista -117.084,32.64 d: 18512.2  

🇺🇸 San Diego -117.15,32.7 d: 18509.7  

🇺🇸 La Mesa -117.023,32.766 d: 18497.3  

🇲🇽 Tecate -116.633,32.567 d: 18496.2  

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