This paper will look at the interrelationships between geography, landscapes, and seascapes. It also discusses changing geopolitical strategic interests of and conflict between colonial France and England, as well as developments in military and naval technologies. The chronological span will be from the first construction of French defenses in 1725 to the British handing back of lands to civilian use at the end of the Second World War. The majority of evidence employed in this study will be taken from my own archaeological research on coastal batteries and related installations along the southeastern coast of Mauritius (including the southeastern islets), supplemented where necessary by historical accounts and maps. Issues of particular interest include defense as a barometer of perceived strategic importance, the counter play between colonial concerns and local resources, and the practicalities of manning coastal defenses.

本文将着眼于地理、景观和海景之间的相互关系。它还讨论了殖民地法国和英国之间不断变化的地缘政治战略利益和冲突，以及军事和海军技术的发展。时间跨度将从 1725 年法国第一次建造防御工事到第二次世界大战结束时英国将土地归还给民用。本研究中使用的大部分证据将取自我自己对毛里求斯东南海岸（包括东南小岛）沿海电池和相关设施的考古研究，并在必要时辅以历史记载和地图。特别感兴趣的问题包括国防作为被认为具有战略重要性的晴雨表，