The most beautiful parks and gardens Réunion

Boasting exceptional views of the sea, lagoon and Saint-Leu, the de Châteauvieux family's former estate and its^19th-century outbuildings are quite simply magnificent. In 1857, the estate covered 660 hectares from the sea to the mountains. Its agricultural activity was based on sugar cane and geranium, as well as food crops, tea, cotton... Beer, cider and oil were also produced. Today, the park covers 13 hectares, 8 of which are open to visitors. Its primary vocation is to raise awareness of the island's cultural heritage, particularly its indigenous and endemic plant life. There are three botanical collections to discover: the Bas de l'Ouest forest, "lontan" plants, a Creole orchard, succulents, palms, orchids and ferns, world coffee trees, a cathedral bamboo gully and a collection composed exclusively of Bourbon roses. The guided tour lasts 45 minutes, but to explore the entire garden, you'll need a good two hours (beware, it's a bit of a climb!). We enjoy discovering the richness and diversity of the botanical collections as much as admiring the architecture of the former agricultural estate, both inside and out, while strolling through a well-organized, clean and well-maintained estate with magnificent views. We highly recommend it! There's also a souvenir store and a restaurant, Le Vieux Pressoir, offering decent Creole and metro cuisine.

Discover the history of Reunion Island through its flora, from 1715 to the present day. Vanilla, vetiver, perfume plants, ornamental plants, creepers, bamboo, reconstitution of endemic forest... More than 900 varieties are gathered in this small paradise. The guides are as passionate as they are talkative. And what about coffee? 1 hectare is devoted to it, including the star: pointed Bourbon! You can taste it at the coffee bar, located in the craft shop, at attractive prices. The refreshment bar also prepares local home-made pastries. It is one of the most beautiful gardens in the south. Exciting visit.

This tropical ethno-botanical garden of 2.5 ha reconciles beauty, diversity and pedagogy. It was directed by Philippe Kaufmant, a passionate botanical engineer from Lorraine, who died in 1992, one year after the realization of his lifelong dream: an extraordinary garden. In addition to the 700 varieties of plant species (including plants endemic to Reunion Island), you may be lucky enough to observe cardinals, chameleons, black water hens with red beaks, serins and butterflies. There are also workshops and one-off events to be discovered on the website.

Traced in an abandoned tea forest for more than 40 years, at the foot of the mountains, this vegetal labyrinth winds for nearly 700 m, without counting its dead ends and numerous side roads. You can discover all the stages of tea making on the only plantation in France! According to Jojo Guichard, owner of the site, it is capable of blossoming the five senses like the petals of the tea flower. For the sight, the exceptional site of Grand-Coude; for the hearing, the songs of endemic birds (zoiseau white, zoiseau glasses, zoiseau the Virgin, tec-tec...); for the touch, the velvety of the tree ferns and the diversity of textures of the tree trunks; for the smell, the suave perfume of the tea flower, of the geranium, of the galabert, or still the fresh exhalations of the humus As for the taste, it is after the visit that it will be satisfied by a pleasant cup of tea! Green or white tea, natural or scented with local essences. Sensual and bucolic, the stroll is embellished with places to stop: a small log cabin in the heart of the trail, themed games. A great idea for a walk in the heart of nature in the South, for young and old. Guided tours of about 1 hour are offered upon reservation at 10am or 2pm. A sales area La Maison du thé, with tea of course, but also tea syrup, tea jelly, essential oils, etc. You can also find on the website the different points of sale of their products in the island.

The former royal garden, which extends over 4 ha, was originally created between 1767 and 1773 with the aim of acclimatising exotic food and ornamental plants. Elegant, its layout was redesigned for the 1972 floral displays, but it still houses a number of rare botanical species. You won't miss its beautiful avenue of palm trees. Renovated in 2009, this site classified as a Historic Monument, ideal for an educational visit or simply for a coffee on the terrace, offers beautiful water games for children. An unmissable stopover!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...).

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 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.

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.

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.