Réunion
One of St-Denis' most iconic buildings, the Grande Mosquée dominates the centre with its tall minaret. Its cool white-and-green interior is a haven of…
Must-see attractions in Réunion
Réunion
This meticulously restored mansion dating from the 1820s is a beautiful example of Creole architecture, with its elaborate veranda and intricate…
Réunion
This seafront park, lined by cannons facing out to sea, is a good place to catch the sea breeze in St-Denis. It has an area set aside for pétanque (a game…
The East
At Domaine du Grand Hazier, a superb 18th-century sugar-planter's residence about 3km southwest of Ste-Suzanne, you'll find La Vanilleraie, where you can…
The East
You can't help but be dazzled by this surprisingly extravagant church that was erected in 1857. The facade of the building is covered in stucco depictions…
Réunion
On the southern outskirts of Salazie, along the road to Hell-Bourg and just north of the turnoff to Grand Îlet, are these spectacular waterfalls on your…
The East
This scenic anse (bay) is beside the sea about 3km south of Piton Ste-Rose. The water from the hills drops dramatically into the sea near a traditional…
Espace Culturel Muséographique du Dimitile – Camp Marron
Réunion
Just before the viewpoint of Le Dimitile, this modest yet well-organised museum does a good job of explaining marronage (the act of escaping plantation…
Coopérative de Vanille Provanille
The East
This working vanilla-processing plant offers an introduction to the process of producing Réunion's famous Vanille Bourbon via a 45-minute guided tour and…
Réunion
Created in 1763, the attractive Jardin de l'État, at the southern end of Rue de Paris, is a good place to recharge the batteries and be introduced to a…
Plage de L'Étang-Salé-les-Bains
Réunion
The generous stretch of ash-coloured beach on the northern outskirts of town is great for sunbathing and swimming, and offers excellent sunset vistas…
The East
Between Ste-Anne and Ste-Rose is the graceful Pont des Anglais suspension bridge over the Rivière de l'Est, now bypassed by the main highway but open to…
The East
If you're after Réunion's Vanille Bourbon, head to this small family-run operation where you can buy vanilla pods at reasonable prices (40g for €30). You…
Réunion
If you're in St-Pierre on a Saturday morning, be sure to browse around the joyous, thriving main market, which sprawls along the seafront at the west end…
Réunion
It's well worth exploring this quaint neighbourhood, situated to the east of the centre. Though no longer the traditional fishing village it used to be,…
Réunion
Ambling down Ave de la Victoire, you'll come across the Tuscan-style Cathédrale de St-Denis, which was constructed between 1829 and 1832. As a cathedral…
Réunion
Cap Méchant is one of the eeriest landscapes in the south, with huge lava fields, windswept black cliffs, rows of vacoa trees and the mandatory picnic…
The East
Just beyond the church towards the southern end of town is a road signposted inland to Cascade Niagara, a 30m waterfall on the Rivière Ste-Suzanne. At the…
Réunion
Visitors can see the ruins of the old baths, which were in use until 1948. They are found in a ravine a 10-minute walk west of town (walk past Le Relais…
Réunion
This colonial structure dating from the 1830s was the family home of former French prime minister Raymond Barre and the birthplace of the poet and painter…
Réunion
About 3.5km from Hell-Bourg, Bé Mahot is a cute hamlet that's well worth visiting. With its clunky, colourful Creole houses clinging on the hillside and…
Réunion
From Îlet-à-Vidot, the asphalted road continues for about 2km to a small parking lot. From here, a steep footpath leads in about 15 minutes to the Rivière…
Réunion
A highlight (and a major landmark, with its big chimneys) near St-Louis is this old sugar refinery, about 1.5km west of the centre. You can tour the…
Réunion
Many consider the neoclassical Former Hôtel de Ville, at the north end of Rue de Paris, to be the city's most beautiful building. It's certainly very…
Sentier Botanique de Mare Longue
Réunion
This pristine forest has an end-of-the-world feeling that will appeal to those in search of hush. From the car park you can tackle one of the three…
Réunion
You'll be impressed by the massive proportions of St-Pierre's mosque, which extends an entire block. Its slender minaret is particularly striking…
Réunion
Go eye to eye with lemurs and other stuffed specimens in this museum located in the Jardin de l'État. Besides impressive lemurs, you'll see a good insect…
Réunion
Leaving St-Philippe to the east, you'll first come across Puits Arabe (Wells of the Arabs), a hole that has been excavated in the basaltic rock. It's a…
Réunion
The landscape surrounding the hamlet of Îlet-à-Vidot, about 2km from Hell-Bourg, is little short of breathtaking. The iconic, flat-topped Piton d'Enchaing…
The East
In the Quartier-Français district, Cascade Délices is an easily accessed waterfall. It's only 4m high, but the junglelike setting will appeal to nature…
Réunion
The main attraction in Le Baril is the Puits des Anglais, a splendid saltwater pool that has been constructed in the basaltic rock. It's mobbed at…
Réunion
In the modern Port de Plaisance complex, the quite engaging Aquarium de la Réunion houses a series of excellent underwater displays, including tanks with…
Les Hautes Plaines & the Volcano
The headquarters of the Parc National de la Réunion are based here. There's an interesting exhibition section, with plenty of information (in English)…
Réunion
Learn more about the virtues (and fragrances) of turmeric and vetiver at this small museum in a cute Creole house. It also sells delicious homemade…
Réunion
One of St-Pierre's major draws is its beach, a long, fine sweep of pale sand massaged by aquamarine waters. It's exposed to the prevailing winds, though…
Réunion
Find this lovely swimming spot at Manapany-les-Bains. There's no proper beach here (the shore is rocky) but there's a protected tide pool where you can…
Réunion
This perfectly preserved Creole mansion was built in the 1790s and is considered one of the oldest of its kind in St-Denis. The well-proportioned fountain…
Réunion
At the southern end of the main beach, Plage de Trou d'Eau is a nice place to relax and have a safe swim in the lagoon, although it's not supervised…
Réunion
You can't miss this imposing building at the eastern end of Rue du Four à Chaux. Entrepôt Kervéguen was used as a warehouse by the French East India…
Réunion
St-Denis' small but wildly colourful Hindu temple stands out among a row of shops on a busy road in a slightly decrepit neighbourhood. Visitors are not…
