Photograph n°6
Remains of a coastal battery, La Possession, 2009
Photo: Eric VENNER DE BERNARDY DE SIGOYER
Historical and technical data
The site of the coastal battery, known as n°1, is located in the North-West of the island of Réunion on the territory of the municipality of La Possession below the national road N°1.
“Coastal artillery is the branch of the armed forces responsible for operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications. » .
La Possession Coastal Battery No. 1 is a fixed defense on land. It was built in the 1820s to prevent the approach of enemy ships in the bay of La Possession.
Figure 1: Religious niche
Photo: Éric Venner of Bernardy de Sigoyer
The website
The site presents surface remains identified as those belonging to a coastal battery. It is located behind the beach on the coastal strip. Part of the site is now devoted to prayer. The oratory is regularly visited and maintained by local residents. The religious niche is on a platform bounded by a wall (Figure 1). The front of the size is made of rubble. To get there five steps are bounded by low walls. All the masonry stones are covered with blue paint on a white background.
A preventive diagnostic operation in 2012 led by the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research has improved our knowledge of this fortification. This information can be consulted on the website https://archeologie.culture.fr/ocean-indien/fr/batterie-cotiere