The penal colony for France is often associated with Cayenne in Guyana. Prony in New Caledonia is less well known. Built in the 19th century to supply Nouméa with wood, the bagne - known as Camp Sebert - is now overgrown with vegetation. Prony's name comes from a caravel that was tasked with reconnoitering the coastline of New Caledonia. In 1854 Commander Le Brun discovered this bay, to which he gave the name of his boat.