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Introducing St-Paul
Lively if not jaw-dropping in beauty, Réunion’s second-largest commune after St-Denis deserves a quick stop if you’re into history. It’s also an obvious transit point if you plan to reach Le Maïdo by public transport.
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Most tourists who do come here visit the bright and well-kept Cimetière Marin, the cemetery at the southern end of town. It contains the remains of various famous Réunionnais, including the poet Leconte de Lisle (1818–94). The cemetery’s star guest, however, is the pirate Olivier ‘La Buse’ Levasseur (The Buzzard), who was the scourge of the Indian Ocean from about 1720 to 1730, when he was captured, taken to St-Paul and hanged. People are still searching for the location of La Buse’s treasure in Mauritius, Réunion and the Seychelles. The grave is marked by the pirates’ trademark skull and crossbones.
Make sure you save energy for the animated market on the seafront promenade. It’s held all day on Friday and on Saturday morning. With its heaps of local vegetables, fruits and spices, it makes for a colourful experience.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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