Sights in St Denis
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Le Barachois
The place to promenade in St-Denis is Le Barachois. This seafront park, lined by cannons facing out to sea, has an area set aside for pétanque (a game similar to bowls), cafés and a monument to the Réunion-born aviator Roland Garros, leaning nonchalantly on a propeller. Garros was the first pilot to cross the Mediterranean. Shady Pl Sarda Garriga, across the road, was named after the governor who abolished slavery in Réunion in 1848.
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Musée Léon Dierx
St-Denis' strong point is its buildings, rather than its museums, but it's worth popping your head into the rewarding Musée Léon Dierx. Housed in the former bishop's palace, built in 1845, it hosts Réunion's most important collection of modern art. The more high-profile works include paintings, sculptures and ceramics by Picasso, Renoir, Gauguin and Vlaminck, but the majority are by local artists such as the poet and painter Léon Dierx (1838-1912).
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Jardin de l'État
If you're in search of a shady haven where you can flake out, head to the attractive Jardin de l'État, at the southern end of Rue de Paris. It features numerous plants used in the manufacture of perfume, tropical oddities from around the world and lots of orchids. At the far end of the gardens stands the somewhat austere Palais Législatif, dating from 1834, which houses the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle.
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The Creole Houses
Saint-Denis has some splendid Creole houses, often with big open varangues (verandas) and delicate lambrequins (carved wood cornices) on their eaves and window frames. Most are found on the Rue de Paris, between Rue Rontaunay and the Government Park. Especially fine specimens include the Joinville Hôtel, with its Tuscan colonnades, and Deramond-Barre House.
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Notre-Dame de la Délivrance
St-Denis is home to some attractive religious buildings, including the 1893 church, the Notre-Dame de la Délivrance, which sits on the hillside across the usually dry Rivière St-Denis. It's noteworthy for the statue of the unusual saint St Expédit just inside the door, dressed as a young Roman soldier.
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Grande Mosquée
Smack bang in the centre, it's impossible to miss the Grande Mosquée, also known as the Noor-E-Islam mosque. The cool white-and-green interior is a haven of peace. The Islamic community in St-Denis is very traditional, so if you wish to visit, dress and behave with respect.
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Préfecture
One of the grandest 19th century colonial buildings is the Préfecture, which stands proudly on the seafront. It began life as a coffee warehouse in 1734 and later served as the headquarters of the French East India Company.
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Musée d'Histoire Naturelle
Very little of Réunion's natural history survived long enough to make it into the museum, but there are a few displays of extinct and nearly extinct native species, including the Réunion owl, kestrel, parrot and ibis.
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Hindu Temple
St-Denis' small but wildly colourful Hindu Temple stands out among the shops east of the centre. If you wish to visit, remember to remove your shoes and any leather items. Photography is not allowed.
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Cathédrale de St-Denis
Worth a peek is the fairly unassuming, Tuscan-style Cathédrale de St-Denis. In contrast to the nearby Former Hôtel de Ville, the Cathédrale de St-Denis is a much more sober affair.
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Former Hôtel de Ville
Many consider the neoclassical Former Hôtel de Ville, to be the city's most beautiful building; it's certainly imposing, with its regimented columns, balustrades and jaunty clock tower.
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L'Artothèque
L'Artothèque is a handsome pale-yellow villa. This contemporary art gallery hosts changing exhibitions of works by local artists and those from neighbouring countries.
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Maison Deramond
The colonial building, Maison Deramond, was the family home of former French Prime Minister Raymond Barre and the birthplace of the poet and painter Léon Dierx.
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Palais Rontaunay
St-Denis is devoid of beaches, but it boasts a gaggle of well-preserved 19th century colonial buildings, one of which is Palais Rontaunay, which was built in 1854.
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Anciens Magasins Aubinais
On Rue Jean Chatel you'll stumble across the colonial building, Anciens Magasins Aubinais, a former warehouse.
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Ancienne Maison des Notaires
On Rue Jean Chatel you'll stumble across the colonial building, the Ancienne Maison des Notaires.
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