Reunion

ABOUT

About Reunion

Reunion Island, a French department in the Indian Ocean, is known for its volcanic, rainforested interior, coral reefs and beaches. Its most iconic landmark is Piton de la Fournaise, a climbable active volcano standing 8,635 feet. The Piton des Neiges, a massive extinct volcano, and Réunion’s three calderas are also climbing destinations. The island’s most remote caldera is Cirque de Mafate, sealed off by mountains and reachable only via helicopter flyover or on foot. The Cirque de Cilaos caldera, famed for its canyoning and proximity to the Cilaos hot springs, and Cirque de Salazie, near the popular mountain village Hell-Bourg, lie inland. On the west coast, Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains is a jumping-off point for snorkeling and scuba diving. Nearby Saint-Leu is a well-known surfing spot. In Saint-Denis, the capital, the island’s colonial history is reflected in Creole-style mansions like Maison Carrère.

TOP SIGHTS

Piton de la Fournaise

Piton de la Fournaise is a shield volcano on the eastern side of Réunion island and is currently one of the most active volcanoes. Piton de la Fournaise is often known locally as le Volcan and a major tourist attraction on Réunion island.It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Piton des Neiges

Piton des Neiges is a massive 10,069 feet shield volcano on Réunion and the highest point on Réunion and is considered to be the highest point in the Indian Ocean. The volcano was formed by the Réunion hotspot and emerged from the sea about two million years ago. Now deeply eroded, the volcano has been inactive for 20,000 years and is surrounded by three massive crater valleys, the Cirques. Piton des Neiges forms the northwestern two-thirds of Réunion, with the very active Piton de la Fournaise comprising the rest.

Mafate

The Cirque de Mafate is a caldera on Réunion Island. It was formed from the collapse of the large shield volcano the Piton des Neiges. The cirque is entirely enclosed by mountains, especially tall cliffs, known as remparts, save for the sole river exiting, the Rivière des Galets.

Trou de Fer

The Trou de Fer is a canyon on Reunion Island, off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The canyon has two distinct parts: a large crater, which is fed by six prominent waterfalls, and a narrow slot canyon at its outlet, which constitutes most of the canyon's length.

Kélonia

Kélonia is a public aquarium and observatory specializing in Marine turtles in Saint-Leu, Réunion. At the center, sick or injured turtles are cared for before being released into the ocean once they have recovered. Visit the top of the observation tower from there you will have a lovely view of Kélonia's pools and the Bay of Saint-Leu.

Maïdo

Maïdo is a volcanic peak on the island of Réunion, located above the city of Saint Paul and overlooking the "Cirque de Mafate". The road climbing from Saint Paul to Maïdo goes through a forest of highland tamarin which is a popular area for family picnics.

Pas de Bellecombe

Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob is a mountain pass and vista point overlooking Enclos Fouqué, the last caldera formed by Piton de la Fournaise, the active volcano on the eastern side of Réunion island in the Indian Ocean. It is named after Guillaume Léonard de Bellecombe, governor of La Réunion during the 18th century, and Jacob, the slave that actually discovered the pass.

Grand Galet Falls

The Grand Galet Falls is situated in the commune of Saint-Joseph on the island of Réunion. It is situated in the Réunion National Park, and its natural pool is a popular swimming and picnic place on weekends and holidays.

Réunion National Park

Réunion National Park is a National Park of France located on the island of Réunion. The park's volcanic landscape, including the Piton de la Fournaise, an active volcano, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park's mission, other than preserving landscape and biodiversity, is to share knowledge and welcome visitors and to work together with local communes. It is a popular destination for hiking and mountaineering.

Grand Bénare

Grand Bénare is a volcanic peak on the island of Réunion, located in the Western part of the island, overlooking the "Cirque de Mafate" and "Cirque de Cilaos". It is the third highest peak on the island, after the Piton des Neiges and the Gros Morne. It is most often accessed by hike from the Maido in the heights of Saint Paul.