Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Sainte-Suzanne

A spectacular and refreshing stopover in the East. The waterfalls of the Windward Coast are much more watery than those of the West, and while Niagara obviously looks pale beside its American namesake, it still dominates the St. Suzanne River and its ruffled banks some 50 metres high, imposing its thunderous roar on them, especially in summer during the rainy season. Don't be surprised to see Reunion Islanders rushing there after a heavy rainstorm to admire the spectacle. Watch out for the weekend rush.

The three-century-old Domaine du Grand-Hazier opens the doors to its two-hectare garden and the beautiful Creole house that sits on the throne. It is representative of the great sugar estates of the end of the 18th century on the East coast. But the main attraction of the estate is indeed its vanilla, which has been awarded the gold medal several times at the Paris Agricultural Show. A guided tour will allow you to know everything about vanilla: from the discovery of its fertilization in the 19th century, to the production of today's excellent frosted vanilla.

Mmm... a name like that is more dreamy than "Beef Pond"! This not very high waterfall is indeed deliciously shaded and flows into a welcoming basin. It is earned at the price of an easy walk through a bamboo forest, to the rhythm of birdsong. Those who love thrills and jumps might want to follow the course of the waterfall. Be careful though. We advise you during the week to avoid the rush of Sunday picnics. Exit at Quartier-Français then follow Bras-des-Chevrettes.

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.