Tourist Attractions & Monuments Réunion

Paulo and his team of volunteers have created an experimental, medicinal, food and spice garden to promote a neglected botanical heritage. During your visit, you'll wander through the arboretum, where the scent of citrus trees wafts through the air, the educational apiary and the corner reserved for herbal teas and spices. Many endemic species have been replanted, and Paulo will be delighted to explain their uses to you. You can also find them selling garden produce every Saturday at the Éperon organic market.

Also known as the fishermen's quarter, Terre Sainte is a small village in the heart of the city, an authentic place with a unique atmosphere. It's a good place to stroll along the pleasant waterfront, where you can see old Creole huts, lontan shops, huge banyan trees, as well as the works of local street artists such as Jace (the father of the famous Gouzou). Don't hesitate to get lost in its small streets or to put your towel on the peaceful white sandy cove.

Situated at the entrance of the village, there is a good chance that you will take a picture of this pretty Creole hut and its flowery garden. It is also for the very professional advice and the warm welcome that we advise you to stop there. In addition to the traditional missions of booking accommodation and restaurants, the office guides visitors on walks in the village and the Dimitile paths. Guided tours are also available.

A simple detour on the Route des Plaines allows you to discover this grandiose panorama, often forgotten by tourists. The vertiginous belvedere offers a plunging view of the Grand-Bassin islet, located 600 m below, at the bottom of the gorges of the arm of La Plaine. You can also see the Niagara waterfall from the South with the arduous ribs of Dimitile in the background. On the site you will find picnic kiosks, very popular on weekends, as well as a bar-truck and kiosks with fruit vendors, handicrafts, corks and samoussas.

In the most prestigious street of the chief town, the friendly team of the Office intercommunal du Nord welcomes you to the Maison Carrère and offers you activities, exhibitions, points of interest, news and good maps of the towns of Saint-Denis, Sainte-Marie and Sainte-Suzanne. Pass the counter to visit this superb Creole villa and stop by their shop. Be on the lookout for their favourites presented in this new edition of Le Petit Futé.

Mmm... a name like that is more dreamy than "Beef Pond"! This not very high waterfall is indeed deliciously shaded and flows into a welcoming basin. It is earned at the price of an easy walk through a bamboo forest, to the rhythm of birdsong. Those who love thrills and jumps might want to follow the course of the waterfall. Be careful though. We advise you during the week to avoid the rush of Sunday picnics. Exit at Quartier-Français then follow Bras-des-Chevrettes.

Here is a small museum dedicated to the history of salt in Reunion Island. Perched on the magnificent site of the Pointe au Sel (which alone is worth the detour), this establishment offers an educational stroll through amusing questions and answers: why does the salary come from the word "salt"? Why is sea water salty? A twenty-minute film will be shown to you on your arrival and will retrace the interesting history of these places. We advise you to call beforehand to check the opening of the museum.

Teachers in the same establishment, Luc Souvet and Pascal Dorr met in 1993 and decided to create the first site in 1998, during the great eruption that put an end to five years of silence at La Fournaise. Redesigned in 2017, this website now offers all the information about the activity of the Piton de la Fournaise and the possible hikes. The authors also offer educational activities and resources. Six webcams allow you to see the site live. To be consulted in French, English or German.

This tourist office covers several communes in the south of the island, from Étang-Salé to Saint-Philippe up to Le Tampon and Cilaos. Reservation of mountain gîtes and Clévacances rentals, organization of guided tours on the cultural and religious heritage of Saint-Pierre (to be booked in advance), many ideas for activities (hiking, diving, microlight, helicopter flights...). Valuable tips for outings, too, on the well-stocked website.

Lively and animated, the rue du Maréchal Leclerc sets the tempo of Saint-Denis. Popular and commercial, it is the most exotic, the most representative of the diversity of the island's cultures. All types of shops are represented here: from fabric, electronics and furniture shops run by the Zarabes to Chinese shops full of art objects, wooden statuettes and jade, not forgetting shoe and clothing shops with Western brands. In this street that crosses Saint-Denis from east to west, everyone prays to their god.

Every May ^1st, crowds from all over the island gather in front of a small miraculous cave where, according to legend, Mario, a runaway slave, hid during the time of the Marooning. A bougainvillea bush is said to have grown at the entrance of the cave, blocking its access and sparing the fugitive from the rapacity of the chestnut hunters. If you ask passers-by about this legend, each one tells his own story. Protector of the oppressed, the Black Virgin, whose statue watches over this unusual cave, is highly respected on the island.

All along the route, soft lighting, background music and numerous interactive modules help you to discover Reunion Island in five different areas: the volcanic cliffs, the corals, the coral reef, the lagoon, the beaches, the plankton, the sharks, the marine mammals and the underwater depths, that's 600 000 l of sea water, 700 coral fish, that's 150 species, from groupers, jacks, sharks, barracudas, clown fish, to the great diversity of corals, echinoderms and crustaceans.

In the middle of the forest of Étang-Salé, this 5 ha park is the occasion for a nice family outing. Croc Parc is known for its Nile crocodiles that bask in the sun at the edge of the ponds. You will be able to see them eating on Wednesdays and Sundays at 4pm. There is also a camel, a dromedary, iguanas, Radiata turtles from Madagascar and an adorable family of lemurs. There is also a snack bar, a zen area and a mini-golf course, all in a green garden. Picnic allowed in the park, unlimited entry and exit in the same day.

Created in 2007, it covers an area of about 35 km2 and stretches along the coast for 40 km, half of which along the coral reef: from Cap la Houssaye (Boucan-Canot) to Roche aux Oiseaux (L'Etang-Salé les Bains). This area is home to a unique biodiversity in overseas France, threatened by pollution and excessive fishing. Yellow beacons planted in the lagoon and in the sea delimit three protection zones. Follow its news on its website.

When there aren't many people, time seems to be suspended at the Joncs pond. When the sun is a little higher, it makes the water surface glisten. Carp, eels, tilapia: the fish frolic. The central jets of water and the surrounding mountains almost give the impression of being in Switzerland. Swimming is not allowed here, but you can sail on pedal or electric boats or go for a walk around. Restaurants and snack bars surround the pond and offer an ideal view of the small pond for a relaxing moment.

Ideal for information on hikes, weather and reservations. From one day to the next, trails may be closed and the weather may change. The office offers guided tours lasting an hour or two: "On the road to thermalism", "The must-sees of Cilaos", "Oenological discovery", "Discovering the Cilaos lentil", etc. Information on days, rates and opening times available on site or by telephone. Also a craft store.

Europe's largest cane sugar production unit, it produces 40 tonnes of sugar per hour, meaning that a semi-trailer loaded with sugar leaves the plant every half-hour, while a truck overflowing with sugar cane enters the plant every 4 minutes! The white smoke is not coming from the sugar factory itself, but from the adjoining power plant. It uses the sugar mill's bagasse to produce energy. A visit to the factory is a fascinating experience, with a tour that will stimulate all five senses.

Very popular, the Bassin Boeuf is often the Sunday outing because it is easy to access and pretty. From the car park, follow the path, cross the river using the pebbles. From there you will have the choice to go down on the left towards the bassin Nicole and its waterfall (a little rock and roll path) or to take on the right to go up towards the bassin Boeuf, more favourable for swimming. The access walk to the latter, only 15 minutes, is easy although a bit muddy. The basin is fed by a pretty waterfall, and a rope allows you to play Tarzan.

This must-see stop on the Route de l'Est is well worth a few minutes' detour. The 152-meter-long suspension bridge spanning the Rivière de l'Est was the longest in the world when it was delivered in 1894. Classified as a historical monument in 2028, it has been undergoing major restoration work since 2021, in order to make it once again (and exclusively) accessible to pedestrians. The reopening of this suspension bridge, also known as the "Pont des Anglais", is scheduled for the end of 2023.

An unavoidable stop on the Maïdo road, a visit to Jean-Yves Bègue's distillery is like a moment suspended in time. Jean-Yves will be pleased to explain you the process of distilling geranium, camphor, eucalyptus and cryptomeria. He perpetuates the family tradition in the greatest simplicity and shares his know-how with passion. He will tell you how the cultivation of geraniums has played a great role in the history of the Western Highlands. You will then be able to leave with these essential oils thanks to his shop.

The Grotte du Peuplement is located at the southern exit of Saint-Paul, opposite the Cimetière Marin. Legend has it that it served as a refuge for the 1663 arrivals, but historical studies have proven this to be false. This site was named the "Cave of the First Frenchmen" in the 1960s, after having been called the "Cave of the Portuguese" or the "Cave of the 12 Exiles". As the cave remains inaccessible due to falling rocks, you can enjoy the pleasant park which was completely redeveloped in 2016, ideal for a family picnic.

Mare Longue is a primary rainforest of exceptional botanical richness. Decimated by two centuries of intensive deforestation, miraculously rescued by major conservation efforts, today less than 7% of this original tropical rainforest remains, located mainly in Saint-Philippe. Thérésien Cadet (1937-1987), a professor at the University of La Réunion, was the driving force behind this awareness. In the 1970s, his passion and commitment to the in-depth study of the plant species that make up the Mare Longue forest drew the attention of its managers to the need to preserve this "jewel of Reunion's natural heritage". A stele pays tribute to him at the start of a trail that takes around 1h30 to complete. This is one of Réunion's most beautiful botanical trails, in what is the island's first biological reserve.

Hiking. Take a stroll through the vegetation that has replaced the La Fournaise flows. There are two routes to the botanical trails, signposted on the left of the N2. The first, signposted at the Baril exit, follows a path that joins forest road 4, which leads to the trailhead. The second takes the RF4 directly to the trailhead. On this walk, you'll discover the forest's coloured woods, grand natte, benzoin, cinnamon tree, red-barked rampart wood, candle wood, vanilla stakes and other rare pearls. A leisurely stroll that doesn't tire you out.

The only island lighthouse dates back to the time of the end of slavery in the middle of the 19th century, and is taken over by the Tourist Office. With a spiral staircase of 73 steps, it overlooks the Indian Ocean majestically. The top of the lighthouse is visited recently and a museum of the sea is planned.

The aim of this park, which will open in June 2021 and cover 4 hectares, is to care for the animals collected, but also to help the public discover these little-known species by raising awareness of their preservation, with, for example, fun workshops for children on Wednesday mornings. Parakeets, parrots, iguanas, turtles, farm animals, ostriches and birds of prey can be seen there. The discovery is based on an educational tour and animations and shows twice a day, during which you can get closer to the animals.

At the corner of rue Luc-Lorion and the waterfront, west of the city, this cemetery is visited especially for the tomb of the famous Sitarane who fascinates the curious. But you can also go and have a look at the sumptuous Chinese tombs, or the rich mausoleums of the great Reunionese families. Muslims are buried in a small, more sober cemetery, in the shade of the frangipani trees, on the other side of rue Lorion. This is a walk that says a lot about the relationship each of these religions has with death.

This easy 1.3 km walk is registered on the NFB's list of Marmailles trails. The loop features explanatory panels on the fauna and flora. Here, the forest is generous: coloured woods, fanjans (tree ferns) and 70 other listed species will be discovered. There are even hundred-year-old affouches (huge and tortuous trees)! The loop is quickly closed and one comes out of it educated. It is better to park on the car parks of the plane tree area.

The last primary forest of Saint-André, it is a world of olive wood, tan-red and jamerosa that is offered to you on this trail. In this twelve thousand year old forest, you will discover species unique in the world: ironwood, takamaka and parrot trees. After a 45-minute walk, you will have a magnificent view of Salazie. An interesting picnic area, that of P'tit Trou, close to an Indian chapel. A very nice walk, difficult in the rainy season, because of the soggy path! The loop is done in 2 hours.

In the heart of Saint-Gilles, this inter-communal office covers all the communes of Saint-Paul, La Possession, Trois Bassins and Saint-Leu. The office allows you to make reservations for all the communes covered for hiking gites, holiday rentals, bed and breakfast, hotels, and leisure activities throughout the island, via the regional reservation platform. The office also offers its famous Zarlors such as the "Zarlor Détente Paddle".

A botanical tour and private nursery with a concentration of nearly 700 species, including Madagascar baobabs, desert roses and pachypodiums. Visits follow a guided tour with supporting documentation and signposting to discover the natural environment and the adaptation of the species. This private collection is breathtaking, and highly recommended for enthusiasts! As for the nursery, it offers seeds from plants encountered along the way and much more besides.

Created in 2002 by a Mafatais, Mafate Hélicoptères offers different tours and tourist flights à la carte, over the natural wonders of Reunion Island, as well as combined and original experiences from 5 people: heli-Rando (from 7am to 3pm) with a Pei guide, a 4 x 4, an authentic meal in a gite, then a helicopter return in the middle of the steep mountains of the Mafate cirque; Heli-Cari (from 10am to 3pm), a round trip in the Bras de la Plaine gorges, with a Pei meal in a gite and a swim; or Heli-Wedding.

At number 4, a beautiful Creole hut with a tamarind shingle roof. At number 28, the Saint-Charles private college occupies a traditional residence. At number 32, another pretty hut. You will have understood, there are many of them in this street, where rich planters had settled. At 46, a Chinese temple is dedicated to Gwan Di, a warrior god and symbol of fidelity. Finally, at the corner of rue Barquisseau, the Maison Adam de Villiers, dating from 1760, is listed as a Historic Monument.

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.

Opened at the end of 2018, this 1.5-hectare garden adjoins CAHEB (Coopérative agricole des Huiles essentielles de Bourbon), which already had a small garden demonstrating the plants used in essential oil production. Reunion's medicinal plants are featured here, including bois de joli coeur, ayapana and bois d'arnette, endemic to the island and included in the French pharmacopoeia since 2012. Hundreds of species to discover, just a stone's throw from the town center.

Built in the neoclassical style, the church was delivered in 1832 and became a cathedral in 1850. The second phase of work, which took place between 1856 and 1863, allowed the apse to be enlarged and a porch to be added. The coffered ceiling with gilded ribs and Renaissance-style pendentives was added in 1869. From 2018 to 2019, the three marouflaged canvases of the choir, painted by Father Moirod at the end of the 19th century, were completely restored. The cathedral has been classified as a historic monument since 1975.

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"

Jean-Jacques Magdeleine presents a circuit around the geraniums (5 € per person, on reservation, 45 min). He also offers other walks «On the Trail of old crafts and flora» in collaboration with the Creole Villages.

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.

The Domaine des Tourelles, a listed historic monument, is at the heart of the "Archipel des métiers d'art", a center for the promotion of craft trades. The craftsmen (sculpture, brewing, distilling, painting and foundry) work and show their workshops at the foot of the superb house. Built in 1927 by Alexis de Villeneuve, a major landowner in Saint-Benoît, the house was completely demolished and rebuilt identically in 1993. Visits to the house are free of charge. There's also a store selling local crafts.

Nestled in the hollow of the rocks, a splendid freshwater basin. Its fresh water, of exceptional transparency, makes it one of the best swimming spots in the East. Be careful however not to go there in case of heavy rains or when the sky is dark in the Hauts: a flash flood can occur. It is reached by a road just after the church on the left, in the direction of Sainte-Rose, at the level of the invert. On the old coastal road, you can admire some very pretty huts and nibble on some festivities at the bar-trucks.

This sanctuary, which majestically overlooks the bay of Saint-Leu and the small flower sellers who gather daily at the foot of its Way of the Cross, is the scene of an annual pilgrimage held in mid-September, which is very popular with the faithful from all over the island. Built by the inhabitants of the town when cholera struck Reunion in 1859, claiming more than 2,200 victims, the chapel has enjoyed a reputation as a miraculous place since its inauguration. Remember to arrive early if you wish to attend the procession.

Come and discover a place out of time, full of history, and bathe in the clear waters of the Rivière des Marsouins. Built in the 18th century, the islet served as a refuge for families facing the invasions of the forbans. Mrs Delisle, the governor's wife, had a workroom built there for young destitute girls, as well as a chapel. Snaking between ferns and bamboos for 20 minutes, the trail offers beautiful views of the river. The descent is a Way of the Cross, with a Saint-Expedit chapel halfway down.

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.

In the 1970s, a handful of illustrious Réunionese artists fell in love with the site, a former industrial wasteland, the heir to a sugar factory that had been abandoned since 1935. They dreamed of a village where Reunion's creative talents could come together. In 1978, the Association pour la promotion du site de l'Éperon (Association for the promotion of the Éperon site) was formed, founding the "village artisanal de l'Éperon". In 2014, some fifteen artists occupy workshop-boutiques, whose products go beyond traditional Reunionese crafts. Today, it's not so much a craft village in the strict sense of the word, but rather a locality, located on Rue Fond Générèse, a pretty cobbled street with a fountain and flower-filled spaces, bringing together artisan and designer workshops (pottery and ceramics, stained glass, painting, framing, illustrations, design..), boutiques selling ready-to-wear, jewelry, bags and fashion accessories, concept stores, a café-library, two hairdressers, a wine cellar... not forgetting a few excellent places to eat and spend a pleasant moment suspended in an atmosphere of its own. The Association also organizes a popular annual Christmas craft market (usually held on the first weekend of December), a craft festival and a Reunion music festival. See the association's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/asso.eperon974/) for more details. Two free parking lots are available at the entrance and exit of the village.

A vestige of a bygone era, this well, architecturally similar to those that were once dug in Arabia, has long supported the thesis that the Arabs knew and conquered the island as early as the 8th or 9th century, the thesis of a poorly informed Egyptologist. More recent studies have proved that the well was commissioned by the colonial administration in the 19th century. A lot of noise for a simple square excavation, whose 42 steps carved in lava, go down to the water table. The source was dried up in 1986, following an eruption.

The walls of the temple are decorated with mythological characters. On the right, Mourouga, represented by a fawn, embodies beauty, youth and strength. On the left, his brother Ganesh, god of intelligence and knowledge, with the head of an elephant. The temple is dedicated to Pandiale, goddess of fire. Behind, another temple, dedicated to Kali, who represents strength, evil and good. Remember to take off your shoes at the threshold of the temples, as well as all your leather objects, as they are considered impure.

A few hundred meters from the fairground, the new landing stage looked great when it was inaugurated in 2009, next to the monument commemorating the abolition of slavery. It was quickly adopted by the inhabitants who come there to fish at any time, to walk around or even to take their wedding photos. However, the initial goal, which was to welcome diving and cruising boats, has completely failed since no boat has ever docked there. After being damaged in 2013, walkers can once again access its end.

Situated in a superb mid-19th century Creole house, renovated and modified between 1987 and 1991, the mission of this art library is to promote contemporary art in Reunion Island by encouraging local and regional artists. You have to go there, if only for the place, which regularly hosts temporary exhibitions (vernissages are often great festive moments, with music, stories, etc.). The specialised library has 2,000 items, which it lends to art lovers for a minimum of €15 per year.

This large park where Creole families come to picnic is a great success. With its lawns, fountains, handicraft stores, snack bars, ice-cream parlors and pond, it's the ideal place to relax. The plan is to turn it into a real regional center of attraction, with a hotel, restaurants (Dailly's Burger, Ti Van, Davy Pizza, Ô Bistrot du Colosse...), stalls, a variety of activities (including giant zumbas led by state-certified coach Rodérick) and water sports (waterski lift, wakeboard, wakeskate...).

This is the main shopping street, which crosses Saint-Pierre from East to west. The Chinese specialize in food, the Zarabes in the tissues. The traditional metal houses, still numerous, have a wrought iron balcony overlooking the street and give a little shadow to passers-by. The Indian temple, not far from the Saturday morning market, is waiting for a lesson in spirituality. You will also see, stuck between two stores, one of the entrances of the city mosque, with its door worked in the way Zanzibar.

The cultural service organizes guided tours in and around the city from 1 hour to half a day. We discover the covered market, the mosque, the Hindu culture, the big Creole villas... Torchlight lectures on the beach allow you to meet pirates and illustrious characters of the island. The schedule is variable. With affordable rates and guides approved by the Ministry of Culture, here's something to learn for cheap!