The East

Introducing The East

With competition like the rural idyll of the Wild South, the majestic landscapes in the Cirques, the magnetic power exerted by the Piton de la Fournaise and the sybaritic temptations of the West, the east coast from St-Denis to Ste-Rose is shamefully underrated, thus largely ignored by travellers. All the better for you: this gentle, less-visited part of the island remains something of a ‘secret’.

The east coast is everything the west coast is not: low-key, unpretentious and luxuriant (yes, it does get much more rain). It has a more soothing beauty. While this coast lacks the beaches of the west, the region makes up for it with spectacular waterfalls and lush tropical vegetation. The main produce of the area is sugar cane, but the region is also known for its vanilla plantations and fruit orchards, including lychees.

This coastal stretch is also considered to be ‘other’, partially as it’s the bastion of Tamil culture in Réunion. Here you’ll find a distinctive atmosphere, with numerous temples and colourful religious festivals. For visitors it’s an opportunity to discover a Réunion you never imagined.

Tourism in this area remains on a humble scale, with no star attractions. However, it’s worth taking a few days to explore the quiet recesses of this stretch of coast where you can experience Réunion from a different perspective and soak up a gentle ambience.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009