Grotte des Premiers Français, Cave entrance near Saint-Paul, Reunion.
Grotte des Premiers Français is a cave entrance set into a cliff face along the western coast of Reunion Island, positioned across from the Marine Cemetery of Saint-Paul. The site sits within a park featuring pathways, parking for approximately 150 vehicles, and two pavilion structures for dining.
Early French settlers used this cave as a water supply source during their first attempts to establish a colony on Bourbon Island in 1646. The location marks a turning point in the island's early settlement history.
The park surrounding this site features information panels and pathways that showcase the early colonial period of Reunion through different historical stations.
The park offers good accessibility with ample parking and shaded structures for visitors to use. The pathways are clearly marked and make it easy to navigate around the cave entrance.
Archaeological excavations in the park revealed a burial ground containing remains of approximately 50,000 enslaved people, used until 1848. The site connects memories of early European presence with the deeper tragic heritage of the island.
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