St-Joseph

Introducing St-Joseph

The Wild South’s hub, modernish St-Joseph (say ‘St-Jo’ if you want to sound local) won’t leap to the top of your list of preferred destinations in Réunion but it’s a good place if you need to catch some urban vibes. It also offers useful services, including a tourist office and banks with ATMs, but no internet café. While it oozes the kind of sunny languor you’d associate with the tropics, the snarled traffic and bustling shopping streets at peak hours impart the energy (and stress) of a city. That, combined with the dearth of atmospheric accommodation options, makes it good for a pit stop but there are better places in the Hauts to really kick back and hang out.

If you can, plan to be in St-Jo on a Friday morning, when the streets spill over with ­numerous stalls.

The Maison du Tourisme du Sud Sauvage (0262 37 37 11; www.sudsauvage.com; 3 Rue Paul Demange; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat) is near the bus station in the centre. The centre’s staff can tell you just about everything you need to know about travelling in the Wild South, and there are enough leaflets to paper your living room. English is spoken.

At the entrance of St-Joseph (it’s signposted), the Orchidarium (0692 25 86 26; €4; by appointment) is worth a peek if you’re into tropical flowers. The owner, Bertrand Hoareau, will be happy to explain everything you ever wanted to know about orchids (in French) but were too afraid to ask.

Psst! One of the best-kept secrets in the Wild South is a secluded cove with a splendid black-sand beach, at the entrance of St-Jo (coming from St-Pierre). Drive past the first roundabout (where the Quick lies), then take the first right on to Rue de la Station de Transit. Follow the road for about 300m until you reach a skate park. Leave your car here and walk for about five minutes down a path to the shore… Enjoy!

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009