Cells in the Saint-Bernard leprosaria

Archaeologists carried out surveys in 2016 and opened planned test pits in 2017 on the site of cells belonging to this health facility as part of the redevelopment of the Saint-Bernard leprosaria, initiated by the mayor of Saint-Denis in partnership with the Espace socio-éducatif de La Montagne.

Built in 1856, the leprosaria was run by the Filles de Marie congregation. The cells were built in the southeast of the site and were used to detain patients who misbehaved or who were convicted criminals.

The masonry building with a rectangular floor plan measuring 6.36 metres long and 4.6 metres wide had four narrow cells. The inside walls were rendered with light yellow lime and marked with graffiti. The window openings measured 1 by 1 metre.

The test pits revealed a small 50 sq.m. courtyard at the front of the building. The lime rendered cell floors were fitted with urinals. Archaeologists recorded the remains of a drainage system over a 12.5-metre area with a masonry collecting channel running along the facades of the building towards the gully. Laid in the natural soil, the channel suggests the building was constructed ex nihilo with the intention of isolating the patients. Iron bars used to restrain detainees with leg shackles were also found on the site.

Initially abandoned in the early 20^th century, probably after the area was hit by a cyclone, the building was restored and finally closed in 1982 after the remaining patients were transferred to Bellepierre hospital in Saint-Denis.