The most beautiful natural sites to discover Réunion

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.