Tourist sites
The west coast known as "côte
sous le vent" shelters the most known beaches of
Boucan - Canot and Roche Noires, partially sheltered
by coral reefs. They offer golden sand and an ideal
location for surfing.
From the south of the port of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains,
begin a lagoon of 15 kilometres, which is accessible
by various alleys... Further down is the beach of Saint-Leu
and the black sand beach of l’Etang – Sale,
the longest beach of the island with its five kilometres.
A discovery on its own.
Excavations of ten kilometres in diameter, vertiginous
and insuperable walls, the Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie
cirques are first of all geological rarities which offer
unexpected and charming landscapes.
Cilaos is most southerner and the driest. However, it
is the water that has made its reputation: three springs
discovered in 1819 provide renowned thermal cures. To
reach the village of Cilaos is an extraordinary experience,
both for its sinuous road spiralling around abrupt walls
and for the amazing surroundings that will accompany
you step by step.
Mafate has the characteristic to be accessible only
by foot or by helicopter. The world that you will discover
is beyond time. Approximately 700 inhabitants populate
some islets of this circus.
Last but not least, Salazie, resting on Piton des Neiges,
discharges its many waterfalls in the “Riviere
du Mat” and its effluents. It remains the largest
and the greenest,its valleys and its peaks strongly
amaze the visitors.
The falls, numerous in the three cirques,
are also object of admiration. Le Voile de la Mariée,
found in Salazie, is one of the most appreciated. This
waterfall draws its name from the multitude of water
trickles recalling the tulle used to make wedding dresses.
Among the hundreds of others, the site of Takamaka,
close to Saint-Benoît, offer an imposing landscape:
steep peaks, deep gullies, overflowing vegetation.
Many will be the bathers to appreciate the freshness
and the limpidity of the water which fills the multiple
basins resulting from these falls.
The Piton de la Fournaise, active
volcano, located in the South of the island, is one
of the most impressive sites of Reunion Island. It ca
be reached by the village of Bourg-Murat.
The magnificent view of Plaine – des
- Sables, an almost-lunar landscape, is a wide
stretch of volcanic scoria offering colour variants
going from red to black with hues of orange; truly astonishing.
The imposing silence of this splendid place is simply
unique. The excursion starts at au pas de Bellecombe,
with the incredible view of the nearly perfect cone
of the principal crater of La Fournaise, "Dolomieu".
Saint-Denis, main town of Reunion
Island, is bordered by mountains and opened on the ocean.
Nearby the road of "the Mountain", you will
be able to enjoy a spectacular view.
In its picturesque streets, discover the Creole houses,
the cathedral, one of the most beautiful Tamoul temples
of the island, the mosque in the street of Leclerc Marshal,
the buddhist pagodas and historic buildings of the colonial
era.
You will finally discover the promenade of the barachois,
along the Indian Ocean where you can inhalate the sea
breeze.
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