Print by L. Maillard, 1863

The Rivière d’Abord in Saint-Pierre was chosen as the site of the island’s port in 1854. Unforeseen set-up costs delayed construction and plans to turn Saint-Pierre port into the main port of Réunion were quashed after an engineer’s report in 1871 concluded it would be difficult for ships to enter the natural harbour. The Pointe des Galets site was chosen to replace it in 1882.