Tourist Attractions & Monuments Réunion

Located in the State Garden, this museum occupies the premises of the former Legislative Palace, a historic monument in colonial style built in 1834. Focused on biodiversity, it exhibits the flora and fauna of the islands of the southwestern Indian Ocean, including a beautiful collection of naturalized Malagasy lemurs on the first floor. The main attraction of the museum is undoubtedly the coelacanth, a fish from the Mozambique Channel. A good refreshment would do it good.

This covered market located at the western end of the rue du Maréchal-Leclerc is an exotic stopover. The building, dating from 1866, is the first civil work in cast iron. You will find there articles of Malagasy craft industry, of which beautiful tablecloths, chairs, baskets, games of solitaire... Ideal to bring back small gifts for all the family. You can eat in the two restaurants of the market where you will taste curries of all kinds. The walls at the back regularly host photography and art exhibitions.

Corail Hélicoptères offers daily flights over the island aboard its H130s, the latest additions to the Airbus Hélicoptères range, with seating for six passengers and panoramic views for all. Departing from the Ermitage heliport or Pierrefonds airport, and usually in the morning, you can enjoy all the natural wonders of Réunion Island from the air: the three cirques (Mafate, Salazie, Cilaos), the Trou de Fer, Takamaka, the volcano and the lagoon. We also offer private flights in groups of six, with the option of an inland drop-off.

This pond offers picnickers banks planted with badamiers, neems and eucalyptus trees. At least on the sea side, where its shore is welcoming with its gently sloping lawns; the part on the plain side, on the other hand, is covered with swamps, with the proliferation of salads and water hyacinths nourished by the fertilizers that flow into it. A nature and bird reserve, the site is placed under the protection of the Conservatoire national du littoral. It is one of the few places where you may see the Bourbon Egret, an endangered endemic bird.

At the edge of the grandiose panorama of the Rivière des Remparts a ravishing undergrowth, full of tamarinds, calumets and arums, stretches out on a gentle slope. The trail cuts through this colourful forest, rich in endemic Bourbon species, and climbs up to the hillsides that dominate the deep gorges of the river. The view is sublime. A belvedere allows you to discover the Mahavel scree and the enclosed islet of Roche-Plate, some 800 m below.

A stone's throw from the church of Sainte-Anne, this tourist office is very dynamic and welcoming. The office is full of ideas and suggestions to help you discover Saint-Benoît and its surroundings. After having listened to you, the reception staff will be happy to make reservations for you. Documentation is also available on request. Finally, a craft shop offers mother-of-pearl, pearl or wood jewellery, recipe books and various dishes..

Just above the old lime kiln, a small Creole hut nestled in a magnificent setting. In this tourist office, you will find the sweetness of the South, the scents of spices and a warm welcome. It contributes to sustainable and solidarity development by involving the local population to guarantee more authenticity. The team takes great care of you: you feel listened to and you leave with good advice. Handicrafts and souvenirs are offered for sale.

Despite (or because of) its dilapidation, this old cane factory deserves to be moved. The walls have been torn open to reveal the huge machines used to crush, chop and clarify the cane and its juice. A mysterious, ghostly atmosphere when the light pierces the ceiling to illuminate moments, poetic or sinister, from another time. No visit of the factory is planned, no security is assured. To see one in operation, visit the Gol plant in Saint-Louis.

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.

To discover Reunion in a different way and especially if you have little time to stay, here are some 4x4 excursions for the day. On the program, several possible circuits: volcano/South, volcano, wild South, Entre-Deux/Cilaos, Salazie or Dimitile. At 7am, the 4 x 4 arrives at your hotel and it's off for a day of adventure, mixing nature and culture. In collaboration with Villages Créoles, a circuit "On the traces of the marronnage" has been designed, with meals at the inhabitant's house : to discover the first maroon settlements.

Easy to find, close to the beach, this tourist office offers an abundance of documentation. Another advantage: it is easy to park next door. The person on the spot can help you book gîtes, inform you about tourist sites, accommodation, restaurants, leisure activities and all the good ideas for your stay in the South, between sea and forest. You will also find a craft shop.

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.

A beautiful garden of 7,000^m2, rich in about thirty endemic species, such as the takamaka, benzoins or the big mat. There is even a century-old letchi. Let yourself be transported by this tropical vegetation by reading a good novel or by drawing the trees or other plants. The shady spot also attracts the picnickers of the village. For more information, you can ask to be accompanied by a guide from the tourist office. It is necessary to call a few days in advance to find out his availability.

This talented artist, of international renown, opens the doors of his studio for an interesting visit. To pass the door is to enter a monochrome universe strewn with mysterious forests, bewitching women's bodies and sailboats inviting to travel. With the technique of etching on copper, which he introduced to Reunion Island, this self-taught artist reveals an inspiring world. Passionate about history and nature, Philippe Turpin has created artist's books, printed in limited editions, such as Les Voiles des Mascareignes.

.' s water is naturally sparkling and highly appreciated by gourmets. It has been bottled since 1999.

Saint-Philippe is one of the favourite territories for vacoa. Here, we exhibit and sell bertelles (traditional backpacks made of woven vacoa leaves), bags, vanities, briefcases.... After selecting the leaves of the vacoa, removing the thorns, splitting them into thin strips, the leaves are dried for 2 to 3 days. Then the craftswomen moisten them and soften them with a knife so that weaving can begin. Demonstration and initiation on request.

On the bed of the St. Suzanne River, there is still a basin accessible from the village of Bagatelle, located between the Nicole Basin and Niagara Falls. It is fed by a small waterfall from the Sèche ravine. On the left bank side, you will be able to reach another small waterfall above it in a few minutes of walk. A toboggan evacuates the water from the bassin Rond, which gives the opportunity for a very pleasant stop during the hike coming from the Abondance. At the football pitch, take the direction of La Grande-Ravine.

The waterfront stretching from Beau-Rivage to Champ-Borne is a pleasant walking area, with a few restaurants and the opportunity to take a quick look at the old church. The more courageous will push the walk to Bras-Panon, through cane fields and take a bus to find their vehicle at Saint-André. Then count on 2 hours of quiet walking. Stay vigilant during hurricane season, as this route is often at the forefront of bad weather.

An impressive waterfall during the rainy season. It can be reached via the D59 between Saint-André and Bras-Panon. The access is well indicated, contrary to the viewpoint which is not. Stop on the right side of the road, at the level of the railing. At the end of the forest road, you can also go up to the Eden by a path which offers a beautiful view. Another possibility : from Bras Panon, go to Caroline by Liberia. A longer and sometimes muddy loop reaches the lookout of the dog waterfall, via the Eden trail.

This path allows you to discover three different plant formations: an old tea plantation, the primary forest and an area damaged by plant pests. Beautiful views of Bras-Panon and Saint-André.

True Ali Baba's cave, this small museum retraces through objects of daily life, the Creole life of yesteryear, from slavery to the present day: period radios, irons, telephones, clocks, sewing machines... Some of these witnesses of the evolution of our lifestyles are more than two centuries old. The place is a bit absurd, but you can easily spend two or even three hours there in the company of the owner, Claude Govindin, a friendly Creole with a white moustache. A passionate collector.

A superb Creole villa built in 1925, now restored and listed as a historic monument, houses the tourist office. Activities, accommodation, restaurants, transport, road and trail information... it's packed with advice and ideas to help you discover this beautiful part of the island! The office also helps to promote tourism in the region, and organizes exhibitions and cultural events such as Dipavali. Other branches are open to the public in Sainte-Anne (Saint-Benoît), Bras-Panon, Salazie and La Plaine-des-Palmistes.

On leaving Saint-Paul, at the end of the four-lane road, you can see a deep ravine to the left, which retains a wild, old-world charm. In the background is a lush, peaceful atmosphere; along a narrow path, you can admire bluish waterfalls and breathe in the fresh air. The place inspired Évariste de Parny, Roussin, Leconte de Lisle and even George Sand in her first novel Indiana, based on the notes of her botanist friend. The gully is unkempt and therefore littered in places, so mosquito repellent is de rigueur.

Along the Chaussée Royale, you won't be able to miss this beautiful Creole house, surrounded by a large garden, which belonged to the Desbassyns family, rich planters. Nicknamed "Grand kour", it was the most important of all the Desbassyns' residences. After Mrs. Desbassyns' death, her granddaughter donated it to the bishopric in 1855, which turned it into a school. Today it belongs to the city and is one of the two listed monuments in the commune. It is awaiting a restoration in keeping with its history.

Inaugurated in 1992, it symbolically sketches the shape of a tree on 7 ha. Its numerous alleys are the branches that lead to the leaf areas, intended for graves, dotted with frangipani, pomegranate, ylang-ylang and palm trees. In order to see the contours of this area, you have to climb aboard a microlight (the companies fly over it). Beware, drones are forbidden. A real green space, it does not resemble its ancestor, the cemetery of the Plague, which was reserved for the victims of the epidemic.

The House of the Sea and the Mountain deals with the list of hikes and reservations. She manages more and more cottages, to our great despair, because it is very difficult to reach the house of the mountain by telephone, even during office hours! On the other hand, the website makes it easy to book its accommodation.

More difficult to access than the Marie-Louise basin, the path leading to Z'Lightning is very poorly maintained. Perhaps it is to discourage the most daring, because bathing is also prohibited here.

On the dry Ravine, the beautiful Marie-Louise basin is unfortunately forbidden for bathing. Even the trail to access it is fallow!

This Tamil temple dedicated to the goddess Mariammen cannot be visited (except for exceptional events), but it can be admired from the outside. It is the first to be built in Sainte-Marie. A few planks in the courtyard of the factory then allow Tamils to meditate. Although it has been moved several times, it is still standing and still active. Located in La Mare, it is one of the most beautiful of the island. It also honours Ganesh, the god with the elephant head, and Alvan, the fire keeper. The fire march takes place on January 3rd of each year.

The Fournaise massif occupies the southeastern third of the island. The national park includes the Mare Longue forest, the Route des Laves, the Route du Volcan, the Route des Plaines and the Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m). It perpetuates the island's volcanic history, following in the footsteps of its elder brother, the Piton des Neiges volcano (3,070 m). It last erupted on September 19, 2022. To find out more, visit the website or the Maison du Parc in La Plaine-des-Palmistes.

With over thirty-five years' experience, Helilagon is Réunion's historic airline. Over the years, it has established itself as a key player in Reunion's economic and tourist landscape, operating in three business sectors: tourist flights, aerial work and medical transport. Its priority: to make your flight a unique and safe experience, by offering you the most beautiful views of the Reunion landscape. Sightseeing tours, heli-excursions by the day (heli-cari, heli-rando, heli-resto, heli-4 x 4, heli-golf), airport transfer flights, private flights on request. Authentic and dazzling, the panoramic flight over the island, commented by the pilot in French/English, offers a unique and incomparable interlude. Discovering Réunion's emblematic natural sites from the air is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. To ensure that customers have a clear view of the sites overflown, the company carries out a weather check 15 minutes before the departure of each flight, and offers great flexibility with the possibility of postponement in the event of unfavorable conditions. Helilagon has the largest fleet on the island, and is the only company to operate from three bases (north, west and south). Its main base is located on a unique 4-hectare site in the middle of the savannah at L'Éperon, overlooking the bay of Saint-Paul, and its two secondary bases are at the airports of Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre. Free shuttle service in the west.

With over thirty-five years' experience, Helilagon is Réunion's historic airline. Over the years, it has established itself as a key player in Reunion's economic and tourist landscape, operating in three business sectors: tourist flights, aerial work and medical transport. Its priority: to make your flight a unique and safe experience, by offering you the most beautiful views of the Reunion landscape. Sightseeing tours, heli-excursions by the day (heli-cari, heli-rando, heli-resto, heli-4 x 4, heli-golf), airport transfer flights, private flights on request. Authentic and dazzling, the panoramic flight over the island, commented by the pilot in French/English, offers a unique and incomparable interlude. Discovering Réunion's emblematic natural sites from the air is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. To ensure that customers have a clear view of the sites overflown, the company carries out a weather check 15 minutes before the departure of each flight, and offers great flexibility with the possibility of postponement in the event of unfavorable conditions. Helilagon has the largest fleet on the island, and is the only company to operate from three bases (north, west and south). Its main base is located on a unique 4-hectare site in the middle of the savannah at L'Éperon, overlooking the bay of Saint-Paul, and its two secondary bases are at the airports of Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre. Free shuttle service in the west.

Guy Payet has been flying over the island for more than fifteen years and has concocted eight tourist circuits departing from Pierrefonds airport. On the program, two 15-minute flights: "le survol des lagons" and "Cilaos"; two 25-minute flights: "le piton de la Fournaise" and "les deux cirques" (Mafate and Cilaos returning by the lagoon). In 45 minutes "le complet" flies over the three cirques, the Trou de Fer, the Bélouve forest, the volcano and the lagoon. It is undeniably a must! Finally, the 55-minute "le grandiose" for a complete tour of the island.

The Noor-e-Islam mosque is the main mosque of the capital of Reunion Island, to be discovered during a stroll along the pedestrian and shopping street Maréchal Leclerc. This large mosque, inaugurated in 1905, is the first in France and overseas. It can accommodate up to 4,000 people. The facade is equipped with a minaret that rises to 32 m, it is easily spotted in the heart of the city. The call to prayer is pronounced three times a day in the streets of Saint-Denis.

Symbolically inaugurated on December 20, 2010, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery, the Ecomusée du Tévelave houses numerous utensils from Lontan Reunion Island collected by the passionate collector Dany Lepinay. Carpenters' tools, irons from the colonial period, mini stills, perfume flasks or toilet utensils... the whole social history of the 20th century in the Hauts region is open to you and reminds you that it is not so far away. Each object is carefully highlighted and illuminated by historical explanations.

A place for creation, expression and exchange, La Fabrik highlights transversality, popular culture and interactivity with the inhabitants of a neighbourhood undergoing rapid change. Theatre, music, urban dance, circus: the artists in residence come from all disciplines and regularly invite the public to attend "worksites", open rehearsals, meetings and renderings of residencies. Since 2018, the Fabrik has been managed by the National Drama Centre of the Indian Ocean, thus pooling their resources and missions.

The Pat' Jaune company, a troupe of actors and musicians famous for its "Yab" music (de petits Blancs des Hauts), whose playful tunes describe the daily life of the Hauts de la Réunion with tenderness and humor, welcomes its audience to an astonishing space. The concept? To organize evenings of exchanges, shows and music, during which people sit down in a magnificent, luminous, wooded room, before being invited to sit on bleachers, in an intimate, warm room, to attend a concert like no other.

Facing the Barachois, this building, originally planned as a department store, became the grand lodge upon its delivery in 1739. It is the official residence of the island's governors. Its current architecture is the sum of several campaigns of work. In 1822, Jean-François Gaudin added a forecourt surmounted by a dome and a belvedere. The varangues are equipped with neoclassical pillars and columns. Then in 1951, the architect Jean Hébrard had the belvedere removed and began the complete restoration of the building.

Taking its source in the departmental forest of Piton Papangue, the Rivière des Roches passes through several basins, including the famous Peace and Sea basins, before joining the ocean. If the Rivière du Mât, which is a little stirred up, is intended for rafting, the Rivière des Roches is suitable for kayaking and water hiking. Several service providers offer white-water activities. For the less sporty or more contemplative, go to the mouth of the river, from October to December, to observe traditional fishing of the bichiques.

It's the waterfront of St. Peter's. It passes in front of the beach, the port, the old train station and heads towards Terre-Sainte. Ideal for a stroll. For children, water games and a trail between century-old trees to let off steam. Feeling a little peckish? Many snack bars are open day and night. One of them is the Guan Yin pagoda. Further up, in the rue Désiré-Barquisseau, a Creole hut from the 1950s is worth the detour: the Maison Orré, the official residence of the TAAF prefect. At number 69, the Sainte-Thérèse chapel exudes an air of Louisiana.

From Saint-Denis, take the direction " Bretagne Domenjod " then head towards the Rivière des Pluies. Just before the bridge, follow the sign indicating Ilet Quinquina. You arrive in a village of 200 inhabitants, where you can bivouac and picnic. Quinquina, a tree also known as the "anti-fever tree" used in pharmacies, is grown here. A change of scenery guaranteed. Go there rather during the week to the weekend for peace and quiet. For the more sporty, you can continue to the ravine of Grand Bénoune.

A trail that is regularly closed because it is quite dangerous, but a walk that is worth it when it is open. It is better to ask the ONF or the Maison de la montagne for information. The access is located on the D42, going up from Bellepierre towards Le Brûlé. At the level of the water reservoir, take the path of the hill on the right. The beginning of the path is indicated by a panel. You will pass through grandiose landscapes along the lush valley of the Saint-Denis River. The reward is a cool, shaded pool and waterfalls.

Inaugurated in 2010 and enlarged in 2015, this immense park is home to thousands of palm trees. It's the ideal place to get together with the family at the weekend, for a jog at the end of the day, or simply to stroll and admire the palm trees, which are certainly young, but already huge. The maintenance of the park is irreproachable, and the equipment is original: have fun finding the bench in the shape of a palm leaf, which is... palm tree! Each tree is decorated with a sign explaining the name and origin of the palm tree. More than 3,000 different species!

The botanical park is a jewel to be discovered in the heights of Saint-Joseph. Former crossroads of the great perfume plant distilleries, the park is a place steeped in history, where Valmyr and Marie-Jo pass on their passion: aromatic and medicinal plants. Let us guide you through the educational greenhouses, before tasting herbal teas with multiple virtues. Various workshops on the transformation of plants are offered. A boutique also opens its doors.

A pleasant and easy stroll in a gully and pond, 5 minutes from the city centre. Count one hour round trip from the car park. You will walk through a well-kept site, to gradually immerse yourself in the bucolic freshness of the gully, planted with papyrus and dreams. The cliffs become progressively higher, inhabited by numerous strawtails. The path is wide and almost flat, accessible to all and very busy. You will arrive on small pools covered with duckweed.

Unknown to tourists and even Reunionese, the charming little black sand beach of Ti'Sable, will be perfect for a picnic, take some pictures, relax... but not for swimming, which is far too dangerous here. In the form of a cove surrounded by cliffs of volcanic rocks, the place is bewitching. At the western entrance of Saint-Joseph, turn right towards the sea at the Quick roundabout. Park next to the skate park, the beach is about 200 m away. A pleasant coastal path has been laid out and leads to the cemetery.

Inaugurated in 2016, this is the most recent branch of the Office intercommunal de l'Ouest, which covers all the communes of Saint-Paul, La Possession, Trois Bassins and Saint-Leu. The office enables reservations to be made for all the communes covered, for self-catering cottages, seasonal rentals, bed & breakfasts, hotels and leisure activities throughout the island, via the regional reservation platform. Numerous Zarlor-Loisirs packages are available.

The office welcomes visitors to the heart of the Maison du Parc National. Come to the reception desk for advice on where to start your hikes. You'll find all the tourist information you need about La Plaine-des-Palmistes: accommodation, restaurants, activities, some of which are organized in conjunction with the tourist office (including an electric mountain bike excursion through forests, pools and waterfalls). The fun and educational exhibition at the Maison du Parc is also well worth a visit.

In an idyllic setting, the port of Sainte-Rose is a restful stopover. This fishing port is also the only one, along with Saint-Pierre and Le Port, that can accommodate sailing boats. On Sundays, many picnickers gather with their families. The site is also renowned for scuba diving. You will be able to discover the Corbet monument, made of basalt cut stone, a historical monument erected in memory of the British captain who attacked Sainte-Rose in 1809, as well as the fresco designed by Jace on the facade of the hydroelectric power station.

From industrial activity (flour mills, forges, chocolate factories, bakeries...) over the centuries to the river's ecosystem, military or religious monuments and the skills of the local people, these neighborhoods are full of riches just waiting to be shared. The Pti Colibri association has enlisted the help of professionals to help you discover this little-known heritage. Four Tikatsou guided tours are offered in the Bas de la Rivière, Colline and Petite Île neighborhoods. Get curious!