The most beautiful religious buildings South

It is one of the largest in the Indian Ocean and can accommodate up to 1,800 worshippers. Inaugurated in 1975, a Sunni Islam of Hanafite rite is practiced there. You will admire in particular the wouzou khana, the place of purification: hands, face, arms and feet are washed up to the ankles. White coats await on the first floor for those who have not hidden their knees and shoulders. Green dominates the floor, the colour of paradise, while the rich woods of the walls give this beautiful building an atmosphere of solemn meditation.

After seven years of restoration, the temple reopened in 2019. It is dedicated to the goddess Kali, with eyes and black skin. The gods called upon her to defeat the demon Raktabija whose every drop of blood that fell to the ground gave birth to her clone. Drinking the blood before it fell, she poisoned herself and danced frantically, endangering the balance of the world. To appease her, Shiva lay down under her feet, stopping the destructive dance.

The parish church of Saint-Pierre, built at the time of the Compagnie des Indes, is one of the oldest buildings on the island, and was completed in 1765 with the addition of two side naves, two turrets and a peristyle. It was completed in 1765 and two side naves, two turrets and a peristyle were added. The façade has four Doric-inspired columns that support a pediment in the centre of which are the keys of St. Peter. This decoration is completed by two statues: the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It has been registered in the inventory of historical monuments since 1998.

A magnificent symbol of the Muslim faith, with its elegant minaret that rises 33 m above the city centre, this mosque, with its Eastern charms through its Indo-Pakistani architecture, was built in 1975 and inaugurated in October 2002. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Muslims of Saint-Louis working all over the island could only meet on Fridays for congregational prayer, which they practiced in a room located at the current address of Photo Lux, opposite the mosque. Its name "Mubarak" means "who is blessed"

Built in the middle of the 19th century, this beautiful church, located opposite the town hall, was a symbol of the prosperity of the early years of the Second Empire. Today it is the largest and most vast religious building in Reunion Island. It is even one of the three largest churches (and not cathedrals) in the world with its 25 m high and its 1,000 m² surface area. For the record, the other two largest churches are in Saint-Louis of Senegal and Saint Louis of Missouri in the United States. In 1982, it was listed as a historical monument.

This temple is probably one of the most beautiful on the island. It was elected third "favorite monument of the French" in 2020. Built in the 19th century by indentured servicemen who had been shipwrecked on the shores of Saint-Pierre, it was built in the Indian tradition. The fire marches, always impressive, take place in December and January, but you should check the Tamil lunar calendar for more information. One can attend, but in all discretion.

On the waterfront is a pagoda dedicated to Guan Yin, Goddess of Mercy (or the Lady of Childbirth) and founded by a certain Mr. Chan Fung Ting. He had a dream that his pagoda would be built on land irrigated by a spring of water flowing towards the sea: in Chinese tradition, orientation towards the mountains brings fertility, and towards the sea, prosperity. Built in 1955, the pagoda houses a community of nuns and is not open to the public.

Built in 1732, it is the oldest known Christian building on the island. Rivière-Saint-Louis has long been the cradle of wood craftsmanship, thanks in particular to Father Delaporte, who trained in cabinet-making and basalt carving, as evidenced by the chapel's neo-Gothic-inspired liturgical furnishings. Particularly noteworthy are the choir, pulpit, nave and gallery. Listed as a historic monument since 1988, the chapel is perfectly preserved.

This temple dedicated to the warrior turned god, Guan Di, is the largest Chinese temple in the Indian Ocean. Its majestic pagoda stands on the heights of the Holy Land. It was built in the purest Chinese tradition by workers who came specially from the provinces of China and according to the principles of feng shui: facing the sea. In addition to the free guided tours on Saturdays, you may have the chance to witness the magnificent lion dance during the Lantern Festival which closes the cycle of Chinese New Year festivities.