Things to see and do Saint-Pierre

Located in the heart of the famous Isautier distillery created in 1845, the Saga of Rum is the only museum dedicated to rum in Reunion Island. Thanks to exhibition spaces and short films, you can discover the history and the successive stages of rum production. From elevated walkways, one can observe machines, stills and distillation columns. The visit ends at the "Dépôt de Rhum", a store fitted out as a Creole village where you can find all the ranges of rums and liqueurs, as well as local products from Reunion Island.

It is one of the largest in the Indian Ocean and can accommodate up to 1,800 worshippers. Inaugurated in 1975, a Sunni Islam of Hanafite rite is practiced there. You will admire in particular the wouzou khana, the place of purification: hands, face, arms and feet are washed up to the ankles. White coats await on the first floor for those who have not hidden their knees and shoulders. Green dominates the floor, the colour of paradise, while the rich woods of the walls give this beautiful building an atmosphere of solemn meditation.

This oratory owes its popularity to a "miracle". On May 27, 1940, an old lady is said to have seen the statue of the Virgin move there. Since then it has been a place of recollection and prayer. Always full of flowers, this cave testifies to the attachment that many Reunionese have to the Virgin Mary's cult. The configuration of the site presents the originality of offering two devotions side by side. The grotto of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes is in fact backed by a Holy Expedition.

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.

This tourist office covers several communes in the south of the island, from Étang-Salé to Saint-Philippe up to Le Tampon and Cilaos. Reservation of mountain gîtes and Clévacances rentals, organization of guided tours on the cultural and religious heritage of Saint-Pierre (to be booked in advance), many ideas for activities (hiking, diving, microlight, helicopter flights...). Valuable tips for outings, too, on the well-stocked website.

At the corner of rue Luc-Lorion and the waterfront, west of the city, this cemetery is visited especially for the tomb of the famous Sitarane who fascinates the curious. But you can also go and have a look at the sumptuous Chinese tombs, or the rich mausoleums of the great Reunionese families. Muslims are buried in a small, more sober cemetery, in the shade of the frangipani trees, on the other side of rue Lorion. This is a walk that says a lot about the relationship each of these religions has with death.

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.

The parish church of Saint-Pierre, built at the time of the Compagnie des Indes, is one of the oldest buildings on the island, and was completed in 1765 with the addition of two side naves, two turrets and a peristyle. It was completed in 1765 and two side naves, two turrets and a peristyle were added. The façade has four Doric-inspired columns that support a pediment in the centre of which are the keys of St. Peter. This decoration is completed by two statues: the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It has been registered in the inventory of historical monuments since 1998.

This temple is probably one of the most beautiful on the island. It was elected third "favorite monument of the French" in 2020. Built in the 19th century by indentured servicemen who had been shipwrecked on the shores of Saint-Pierre, it was built in the Indian tradition. The fire marches, always impressive, take place in December and January, but you should check the Tamil lunar calendar for more information. One can attend, but in all discretion.

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.

The cultural service organizes guided tours in and around the city from 1 hour to half a day. We discover the covered market, the mosque, the Hindu culture, the big Creole villas... Torchlight lectures on the beach allow you to meet pirates and illustrious characters of the island. The schedule is variable. With affordable rates and guides approved by the Ministry of Culture, here's something to learn for cheap!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.