Streets squares and districts to visit Réunion

The Avenue de la Victoire and the Rue de Paris are worth discovering on foot and walking along the baros (Creole gate) of its superb Creole houses. The Tourist Office has moreover chosen to live within the walls of the sublime Maison Carrère, a completely renovated hut that can be visited. The Chapel of the Immaculate, the old town hall, the State garden, the Natural History Museum... So many monuments that you can discover with a guide or on your own thanks to the signage that the town hall has put up at the gate of each building.

This is a walk not to be missed, whether you are on foot, on rollerblades, by bike or by car. At the Saint-Paul bus station, go under the bridge in the direction of the Grande Fontaine district. You'll find yourself in another world. It is best to get there early in the morning or just before nightfall to enjoy the subtle play of light and the special atmosphere of this island of greenery nestled in the heart of an immense coconut grove. The Tour des Roches takes about an hour on foot, plus 30 minutes if you reach your starting point.

The town of Saint-Paul is built and stretches along the largest bay on the island. With its perfect curvature from the Port to Cap la Houssaye, it looks like a huge black sand beach, deserted... but forbidden for swimming because of the currents, swell and sharks. You can stroll along the landscaped path that runs along the coast, where lovers and families come to stroll and observe the 17th and 18th century cannons, before slipping into one of the perpendicular streets that will take you into the town.

This road was built under the authority of Mahé de La Bourdonnais in 1732, then paved with basalt stones in 1775, on the initiative of Governor Crémont. But it was in 1810, when the British invaded the island, that it took on the name of chemin des Anglais, as it gave them a strategic position from which to attack Saint-Denis by surprise and take the island from the French, who ceded it back to them in 1814. This path, the oldest on the island, stretches 9 km from La Possession to Grande Chaloupe, overlooking the ocean from the top of the cliff.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.