St-Denis

Introducing St-Denis

Francophiles will feel comfortable in St-Denis (san-de-nee), the capital of Réunion. Except for the palms and flamboyant trees to remind you that you’re somewhere sunnier (and hotter), St-Denis could be easily mistaken for a French provincial enclave, with a flurry of trendy shops, brasseries, bistros, and boulangeries (bakeries). Mmmmm…those little pains au chocolat (chocolate-filled pastries) will linger long on the palate!

With most of Réunion’s tourist attractions located elsewhere on the island, most visit­ors only stay long enough to book gîtes de montagne (mountain lodges), pick up a few tourist brochures and rent a car before dashing off to more magnetic locations. But St-Denis warrants more than a fleeting glance. Scratch beneath the French polish and you’ll soon realise that the city also boasts an undeniably Creole soul, with a portfolio of delightful colonial and religious buildings and a casual multi-ethnic atmosphere.

If that’s not enough, there are always epicur­ean indulgences. Sip a black coffee at a chic pavement café listening to a séga or maloya soundtrack or indulge in fine dining at a gourmet restaurant. Bon appétit!

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009