Lazarets de la Grande-Chaloupe

The Lazarets de la Grande-Chaloupe comprise two separate quarantine buildings with dormitories, an infirmary, and cemeteries positioned between Saint-Denis and La Possession. The facility was designed to isolate arriving individuals who underwent mandatory health inspections.

The lazarets were constructed between 1860 and 1865 in response to the massive waves of workers arriving following the abolition of slavery in 1848. They processed thousands of contract laborers brought to the island to offset the economic impact of emancipation.

The site served as a meeting place where workers from India and other regions shared their customs and practices during their stays. The buildings reflect this blend of traditions that emerged from the movement of people across many lands.

The isolation pavilion of Lazaret No. 1 now houses a permanent exhibition about contract workers and quarantine procedures on the island. Visitors should expect uneven paths and historical settings when exploring the different areas of the site.

At its peak, the facility could accommodate roughly 3000 individuals who slept on mats in confined spaces. This dense arrangement was a defining feature of the infrastructure designed to manage the massive movement of workers.