Tourist Attractions & Monuments Réunion

Built in 1840, the parish church of Saint-Benoît is in the neoclassical style, with a pure and symmetrical architecture. The massive aspect is reinforced by the visible stone and by the pairs of pilasters and columns. Its nave is supported by twelve basalt pillars in reference to the twelve apostles. Marble fonts have been preserved in the vestibule. Its stained glass windows made in 1960 in Nancy are remarkable. The church and the fountain on the square are worth a look. They are both listed as historical monuments.

The church in the village of Salazie is unmistakable. It is the second church of the parish built on the old one between 1939 and 1941 on the initiative of Father Bourasseau. It was the parishioners who built it, including the children! It follows the codes of Gothic architecture with its two flanking towers. On the façade, one can read: "Be queens in our house! "which reminds us that the Assumption is a dogma according to which the mother of Jesus was "raised to heaven".

The Jardin de la Maison d'Edith was the first to be classified as a Remarkable Garden by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. It's a place of tranquility and history, where plants and buildings mingle before a magnificent ocean view. It encloses a magnificent Creole house whose rooms can be rented for a minimum of 2 nights. We advise you to come equipped with closed shoes and long clothes, as mosquitoes can be legion.

This very accessible lava tunnel is not signposted at all. You can find it on the Internet or with a good map. By the light of a headlamp, you can explore both sides of the tunnel dating back to 1800... for a few meters, without danger, at a height of 2 m. To go any further, you'll need a helmet, a good lamp, hiking boots and a K-way... the tunnel is over a kilometer long! If you'd like to discover other tunnels, call in specialized service providers.

Located just before the famous Grand Galet waterfall, on the road along the Langevin River, the Trou Noir waterfall is less impressive, but it is worth a visit. It has the advantage of being less frequented. To reach it, park just after the hamlet of Grand Défriché. The start of the path is just after the bridge on the right. After only a few minutes of walking, you will reach this magnificent waterfall immersed in a luxuriant setting with its refreshing crystal-clear swimming pool.

Founded in 1886, the Distillerie Rivière du Mât, a pioneer in sustainable development, is one of the oldest distilleries still in operation on Réunion Island. The guided tour, which lasts between 1h and 1h30, takes visitors through a variety of workshops, introducing them to the making and secrets of the island's great rums. Free tastings of La Cave à Rhums' finest medal-winning vintages, and the opportunity to purchase the full range directly from the La Cave à Rhums website boutique.

A belvedere overlooking the Pointe au Sel is now a reality along Rue du Musée, in the Quatre Robinets district. Inaugurated in 2014, this relaxation area was built on a former dump and now offers several sheltered kiosks with barbecues. It thus offers residents and tourists a rest and picnic area open to all. The place is ideal for enjoying the magnificent sunset.

What if you were to rediscover the secrets of "galabé", the long-defunct sweet of yesteryear? After years of research and testing, Alexis Rivière, from a family with deep roots in the island's sugar and farming history, has revived the production of this traditional Reunionese sweet, which is still fondly remembered by old-timers. In 2022, in the heart of the Beau Pays, on the historic Bel Air farm in Sainte-Suzanne, the site of the family business, Alexis set up his own factory, the Payet & Rivière micro-sugar factory. Visitors will be able to discover the galabé production process, now used in all its forms by top pastry chefs on Réunion Island and in mainland France, and taste the product. "Galabé" also represents a whole range of by-products (lontan sweets, syrups, spreads, etc.) that you can discover on site. But it's also a unique experience for visitors, evoking the history of the family, the plantation, and the various stages in the cultivation and processing of sugarcane. Of the estate's 200 hectares, three are reserved for the micro-sugar factory. These areas are now cultivated according to the principles of organic farming, a first on Réunion Island. The Payet & Rivière estate and micro-sugar factory complement visits to the two major sugar factories (Bois-Rouge and Le Gol), along with the Stella Matutina Museum and the Saga of Rum. An experience not to be missed.

Prior to 2007, the rocky coast here was directly battered by the waves. It formed a bay used as a fishing port. Since the eruption of the century, this 300-metre strip of very fine black sand, mixed with olivine crushed by the sea, shimmers in the sun as if it contained gold flakes. A steep and stony path descends along the rampart to reach the beach. If it is too dangerous for swimming, this beach, the last born in Reunion Island, is worth the trip for the spectacle of the end of the world that it offers.

Here is a pleasant walk on the oldest paved road of Saint-Paul. In the past, it was used to transport crops (especially coffee) by oxcart from Bellemène to the centre of the western capital. This magnificent three hundred year old path has been undergoing restoration for nearly seven years. The Bellemène Pavé association has recreated a Lontan village with a hut, a chicken coop, a kitchen and even a cabin. The climb takes about thirty minutes and offers a superb panorama of the western coastline, from Cape Lahoussaye to the Port.

The Bassin Bleu tunnel, created by the volcanic activity of the Piton des Neiges, is Réunion's oldest lava tunnel (over 450,000 years old). Located just a few kilometers from the lagoon, it is one of the only tunnels in the west of the island, and the most interesting for its length (around 500 m) and diversity. Its geological interest and observable fauna, including colonies of Mascarene salanganes in the tunnel and birds (bitterns, moorhens) in the basin, with a small zip-line at the exit, make it a popular family outing.

This former leper colony, built in the middle of the 19th century, is today a pleasant small craft and associative space, which serves as the centre of the Saint-Bernard district. It is about fifteen minutes from the beginning of the Mountain. You will find a restaurant, local shops, the local library, a hairdresser, a florist and a medical centre in the various lodges of this historical monument, arranged around a grassy courtyard.

Here's a 40,000 m² garden that lives up to its name! From spices to flowers, the different varieties of bananas and the history of vanilla... Put on your sneakers! For almost 1h30, Mr Aniel tells you the origins of the trees and fruits emblematic of Reunion Island, through his enchanted garden! This "agrotouristic" tour ends with a tasting. Small kiosks are also available for picnics.

This garden, named after Vanda, the famous tropical orchid that grows on Reunion Island, is sure to please all orchid enthusiasts! From planting to caring for different species from all over the world (nearly 400 to discover here!), owner Michel has dedicated 500 m² to his passion for sharing his knowledge of tropical orchids with you. With a guided tour and photographs, you'll be able to wander freely through the magnificent colors these flowers develop. And if you fancy one, Michel has set up a small nursery just outside the garden.

A beautiful private contemporary art gallery of 200 ^m2 with its patio which exposes mainly artists from Reunion Island or continental Europe. Here, eclecticism is the order of the day; styles vary, succeed one another, clash from exhibition to exhibition and from season to season. A dynamic address to discover in the heart of Saint-Denis. A little crush for the exhibited artists coming from street art like Jérôme Mesnager or very pop like Nimbus. Surprise: the gallery is also open to artists or associations of artists wishing to present their works.

It is one of Reunion's architectural masterpieces inspired by neoclassism. Built in 1820 by Laurent Philippe Robin, pharmacist, then owner of a sugar factory in the Ravine Blanche, this house owes its name to the Motais family of Narbonne, owner of the site from 1911 to 1980, the year it was bought by the department which installed the offices of the sub-prefecture. It is registered in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments since 1989.

Le Dimitile offers splendid panoramic views of the cirque de Cilaos. It is also a place steeped in history, marked by the fate of the former slaves, the "marrons", forced to work on the plantations around Le Dimitile. Fleeing oppression, they found refuge on the steep slopes of this massif. In their memory, a brown camp was reconstituted on the summit in 1998. A series of sculptures depicting some of the legendary maroon slaves can be seen there, including Chief Dimitile, known as "the elusive one", who gave his name to the site.

Little is known about it, but the town of Le Port is also home to some beautiful Creole huts, which once housed the engineers and managers of shipping companies following the creation of the port at the end of the 19th century. With its wide galleries on two levels and its imposing roofs, this architecture, typical of the former French and English colonies, offers a great opportunity to take a different look at the town of Le Port, too often neglected by tourists. If you are a fan of 19th century heritage, the town of Le Port will delight you.

Les Aventuriers invites you to discover the town of Saint-Pierre on your own, thanks to a family treasure hunt. Guided by a map of the city and oeil de Papangue's riddles of observation and reflection, become the explorers of the "bay of the best anchorage" for a morning. The activity unfolds at your own pace; you'll discover old Saint-Pierre through more than ten stages highlighting the town's history, legends and anecdotes. An original, enjoyable and fun way to explore Réunion Island.

Les Aventuriers offer a guided tour of the Creole huts, immersing you in the history of Salazie and discovering the architectural and cultural heritage of the village of Hell-Bourg, ranked among the most beautiful in France. Fun and suitable for everyone, the walk will take you back in time, through the village's lanes and paths, with exceptional views of the Salazie cirque. Stories and legends will be told, and the dark days of the "marronnage" will be evoked, while you admire varangues, gardens and Creole huts.

At the entrance to the circus, Mrs. Grondin explains the embroidery technique that has been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. She weaves placemats to be framed or coasters, with multiple shapes, including the emblematic "straw in tail". In 2008, she was awarded first prize in the "hope" category of the regional Grand Prix des Métiers. The selling price of the books is indicative of the time it takes to make them. She also sells wine and lentils.

The unique character of the village of Entre-Deux deserves a guided tour to find out a little more about it. In collaboration with the Tourist Office, Johnny proposes visits to discover the flora of this "Village fleuri", its Creole huts, its relief and its history, intimately linked to the maroon. You will have the privilege of entering a private courtyard to discover the art of the Creole garden and the old way of life of the people of the Hauts. The visit ends under the varangue, with a tasting of herbal teas, cakes and pei honey.

Each year, over a period stretching from April to August, this 6 hectare orchard comes to life little by little as the famous guava trees, delicious tangy red fruits, grow. The principle is simple: you are given a bucket and you harvest as much fruit as you like. The price is not by weight, but by the number of buckets harvested, a good deal! What's more, harvesting itself is an enjoyable activity, to be done in love or with friends. Mickael is on site to advise you and give you recipe ideas.

Esprit Randonnée's aim is to help you travel "with your feet and your heart". Whether you're on your own, with family, friends or as a couple, on vacation, on a weekend break, looking for a retreat or a break from the daily grind, Amandine and Manal will put together a program tailored to your needs. Whether you're looking for a one-day hike or a multi-day, itinerant or star trek, you'll discover the trails and landscapes of Reunion gently. Amandine also organizes scientific hikes to learn more about Réunion's endemic birds. Enough to awaken the scientist in you!

Not far from the fruit and vegetable market, other rituals take place in a beautiful Tamil temple, colorful and decorated with multiple deities. In 1917, there was only a small temple named Kôvil, made of tin. It was rebuilt in concrete in 1956 and enlarged in the 1980s to form an architectural complex called Shri Kali Kambal Kôvil. The latest expansion work dates from 2012. To visit the temples, take off your shoes, get rid of your leather items and check other requests indicated on a sign at the entrance.

La Vanille des Laves is a shop that complements the Cooperative of Bras-Panon, but which promotes vanilla in its natural environment: the volcano. Its emblem Ti Gouss takes you to discover the vanilla plantations and take part in the different stages of production. An enriching experience with guided tours on the history of the village, agroforestry and the profession of vanilla producer. This know-how has been recognized and valued by winning the gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris in 2019.

The lazaret of the Grande Chaloupe is one of the quarantine sites erected in the 19th century to prevent the spread of epidemics. Owned by the Departmental Council since 1946, then listed as a historical monument in 1998, it has been the subject of restoration campaigns and now houses a permanent exhibition on engagement and quarantine. It is an essential site to understand what is "engagementism". In another room of the site, you can also discover temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists.

On the hiking path leading to the Alcide islet, discover one of the oldest trees of Reunion Island: the King of Tamarins. With its trunk measuring 9 m and its branches reaching 19 m high, it dominates the forest that surrounds it. More than 400 years old, it has a circumference of 3.89 m. Despite the cyclones and storms that have broken part of its branches, it remains majestic. If it could, it would even tell us about its encounter with the first inhabitants of the island. Continuing the hike, you will reach a viewpoint on the Maïdo.

The Col de Bellevue is located at an altitude of 1,600 m, on the plains road at the boundary between the Plaine des Palmistes and the Plaine des Cafres. Stop off here to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of this part of the island. The Col de Bellevue offers a superb view of eastern Réunion, its peaks and coastline. A number of picnic tables await you, as do several starting points for hiking and horse-riding. During the austral summer, make sure you get there early to enjoy the view before the fog rolls in from below.

Beyond the picking of guava trees that you can pick by hand, Georges invites you to discover the orchard, the workshop and the shop through a guided tour lasting about 2 hours. Please note that visits are by reservation only. Out of season, you can discover the endemic floral species through another visit. On the shop side, confits, jellies, spicy sauces and coulis will fill your luggage to bring to your kitchen the flavours of this very special region.

The wasteland is a former post office sorting centre that served the towns of Le Port and La Possession. The city decided to set up artists' residences there as of 2016; on the strength of this success, it is renewing this experience in 2019 around creation, education and mediation. This large hangar thus houses artists' studios, exhibitions and numerous events in the courtyard. Street art artists have the place of honour.

Mathieu and Clovis propose you to discover the city of Le Port through its town centre. Through the walk "In the footsteps of the pioneers of the desert", you will discover how this city was built, how the first port of Reunion Island came out of the ground and above all what role the advent of the railway played in Reunion Island. Your walk will end with a visit of the fairground market on the famous railwaymen's square. Go there with your eyes wide open!

The estate of Marencourt, which covers 26 ha, is mainly devoted to the cultivation of cane. The owners' house, a beautiful mansion flanked by two red turrets, sometimes illustrates the tourist brochures. But in reality, once built in wood cladding, it was largely destroyed during the cyclone of 1962 and then rebuilt as a permanent structure. Only one of the outer walls is still original. The estate dates back to the 19th century and was bought in 1890 by Édouard Manès, one of the last governors of Reunion Island.

Upstream of the Bassin Boeuf is the Bassin Grondin, which can be reached by parking a little higher up and at the cost of a nice hike in the undergrowth, dotted with guava trees between April and June. The site is ideal for an introduction to canyoning: jumps, zip lines, abseiling... Be careful however, in case of heavy rain, the waterfalls triple in volume and the pools fill up in a few minutes, crossed by destructive currents. If it rains or the sky is threatening, even far upstream, don't risk it and turn back.

This departmental forest is crossed by numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty. The Fougères trail, intended for a family audience, tells the story of Sylvèr, a young fern merchant from Salazie who set off in the direction of the Saint-Denis market (count three hours). For the more sporty, the Piton de la Plaine des Fougères path allows you to make a loop with a view of the Salazie circus. We advise you to leave in the morning.

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 town takes its name from Mr. Laleu, who was the first to build a racket on this stretch of coast. The small town became a commune in 1790 and was then named Saint-Leu. The land here was excellent for growing coffee, around which the town grew rapidly. The building housing the town hall is a remnant of this prosperous period. The most striking episode in the history of Saint-Leu is undoubtedly that of the slave revolt of 1811.

Very easy access, the white sand beach of Saint-Pierre and its transparent water invite you to meet the small fishes of the lagoon. Equipped with public showers and an MNS station, it allows children to splash about safely, as long as they stay in the delimited square. A privileged place for sunbathing and swimming in summer, it is often visited by locals in the early morning before going to work! At the end of the day, take advantage of the nearby snack bars to take a few samoussas and enjoy the sumptuous sunset over the sea.

Located at the eastern end of the Roland Garros airport, the port of Sainte-Marie is home to about 180 boats, pleasure boats and fishing boats. The place is charming and much appreciated as a place to walk and watch the planes take off, but also for fishermen. There are also restaurants and refreshment stands where you can enjoy ice creams and pancakes while sitting on the edge of the dykes, your feet playing with the foam of the waves.

Linking the Maïdo to the Tévelave at an altitude of 1,700 m, the forest road of the Tamarins stretches for about thirty kilometres. If it is the starting point of several hiking trails such as Piton Rouge, it is just as pleasant to come and rest. Numerous picnic areas equipped with tables, shaded kiosks and barbecue are provided for this purpose. The Reunionese like to meet there on weekends with their families, far from the heat of the coastline.

A must-see site in the cirque de Cilaos, a classic and therefore very popular! Walk to the Bras Rouge waterfall. You can start on the sentier des Porteurs, from the rue des Thermes parking lot below the church. You'll reach the îlet à Cordes road, and about 200 m to the left, the path descends to the waterfall. There are no difficult sections, making it ideal for families. Pleasant walk under the trees, beautiful scenery. Option to continue on the GR1/GR2, crossing the river for a 5-hour loop.

Every Friday morning, the scouts of the West Tourist Office take you on a fascinating guided tour of the town centre of Saint-Paul, the cradle of Reunion Island's population. From the marine cemetery to the landing stage, via the Grotte du Peuplement (formerly the grotte des Premiers Français) or the gardens of the town hall, the historical sites and heritage of this town, which has been awarded the "Ville d'art et d'histoire" (City of Art and History) label, will hold no secrets for you!

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.

The viewpoint of the Roche Merveilleuse is a must when visiting the cirque of Cilaos. From the viewpoint accessible by a staircase, take the time to admire the exceptional panorama of the village, surrounded by its immense ramparts. Then, plunge into the undergrowth, for a walk in the heart of the botanical path. This short family walk offers many indications on the local flora, with panels describing the plant species in an original way. You can reach the viewpoint on foot from the village or by car.

Also known as the coastal path, this trail links the port of Sainte-Rose to Anse des Cascades, via the 1977 lava flow. Here, you follow the wild coastline lined with vacoas, where the ocean meets the volcanic rock. The trail can be walked in either direction, in part or in its entirety. Total walking time is around 6-8 hours round trip. From la Marine to Ravine Glissante: 45 minutes. From Ravine Glissante to the 1977 flow: 1h45. From la coulée de 1977 to l'anse des Cascades: 1h45.

Reunion's Lava Tunnels, located in Le Tampon, offer visitors a unique experience. Kokapat Rando offers hiking tours through these fascinating tunnels. The Kokapat Rando team is made up of qualified mountain guides and speleologists with a passion for volcanology. The blue lava tunnels are particularly popular and can be visited on outings organized by the agency. In addition to the lava tunnels, Kokapat Rando also offers hikes on the Piton de la Fournaise volcano and multi-day trekking tours. The agency has professional liability insurance to ensure the safety of participants.