La Possession

Commune in Réunion, France
the film

La Possession (la pɔsesjɔ̃) is a commune in the French overseas department of Réunion. It is located in the northwestern part 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.

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.

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.

La Possession has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen climate classification Cwb). The average annual temperature in La Possession is The average annual rainfall is with February as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in February, at around , and lowest in July, at around The highest temperature ever recorded in La Possession was on 2 March 2010; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 29 July 1986.