Travelling back in time…
At Falaise Rouge, is also a vital part of local history that you will contemplate. In August 1810, this estate was converted into a strategic lookout post for General Decaën’s military staff who watched from these heights the unique victory of Napoleon’s naval forces over the British.

20th August 1810, the cannons are firing; huge vessels are coming to blows… The battle of Grand Port, one of the most famous battle ships of all times is about to start...

It all happened the night between the 13th and the 14th of August 1810, when five British vessels came into the bay of Grand Port. The island was still under the French authority but was the object of the covetousness of the British who wanted to rule over La Route des Indes.

The invaders were commanded by Captain Willoughby. They landed on Ile de la Passe. The small island was defended by a contingent of 60 soldiers. Several of them were killed and others made prisoners. The island soon became the British operation base.

During the following days, the British took possession of the plantations and the fortress of Pointe du Diable and tried to persuade the colonists to stand on their side.

The battle lasted until the 28th of August and was finally won by the French under the command of Captain Duperré who also had the support of the inhabitants. The British lost 105 men, the French 36. Half of their ships sunk.

On the monument of Pointe-des-Régates are inscribed the acronyms of the ships engaged in this battle: the Magician and the Sirius for the British, La Bellone and la Minerve for the French. Also mentioned are the names of the two captains, Willoughby and Duperré. The latter will in 1830, during the time at which he was Minister of Land, inscribed the battle name on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

You will live out the chronology of that legendary battle through accounts, maps and etchings found in this renovated building.