Logic behind the principle Du battant des lames au sommet des montagnes

the ravine saint-gilles , waterfalls have served delimit concession since @ least 1699.

very quickly, concessions divided among assignees , land cut several lots. on réunion, throughout history, has been parisian customary law has guided rights of succession. stipulates goods divided equally among heirs, regardless of relative age or sex.

because climate varied depending on altitude , there differences in potential value of land, property lines drawn along slope of hills benefit each descendant in complete , equitable fashion: flat, easy-access land in plains near royal roads , sea; land farming , cultivation halfway up; and, little higher, land planted trees building or burning. in turn, intermediary level divided in 3 parts, each distinct function: lowest used subsistence farming, middle coffee plantations , highest animal husbandry.

the task of dividing plots perpendicular coast made easier fact numerous ravines, difficult cross, cover réunion, starting heights , striating sides of cone-shaped island. each lot might therefore bounded 2 torrents, concession stretching shore mountain peaks governor jacques de la cour granted chauveau et grimaud on 10 february 1699 between ravine saint-gilles , ravine des sables. downhill flow of water forms incontestable natural bounds property.