An adventure among friends on Reunion Island

Welcome to Reunion Island! From the airport, where you can rent a car, it only takes 15 minutes to reach Saint-Denis. 

A gentle pace for the first day, exploring in town Maison Carrère and along the sea front. This Creole dwelling, a registered historic monument, is open all year round to visitors, highlighting the history of Reunion Island in exhibitions of period furniture, artefacts and historic figures from the 19th century.

Try  Le Pierre Loti, the ideal restaurant if you’re keen to try those authentic Creole dishes. Here, they serve gourmet bistro-style cuisine based on the island’s forgotten products, all served in a decor that makes a nod to the Messageries Maritimes shipping company.

You’ll stay at the brand new hotel Dina Morgabine, with views of the Indian Ocean. The hotel has a gourmet restaurant that serves bistro-style dishes made with local ingredients, as well as a wellness area, a bar and a rooftop pool.

Today you’ll be up before the dawn to do the 1¾-hour drive to Piton Maïdo to see the stunning spectacle of daybreak. At an elevation of 2,190 metres, it offers a spectacular sight view of the Mafate Cirque and the west coast of Reunion Island.

After this morning treat, you'll head for the natural pools of Saint-Gilles les Bains, 1¼ hours away. This very popular place in the western part of the island is a lovely cool haven.

Your long day ends with a chance to unwind at Boucan Canot beach. Take the time to gaze at the waves and contemplate the wealth of marine life that lives beneath. 

The Vieux Canon de Saint-Paul is a great place to enjoy an evening meal and a room for the night. This charming guesthouse occupying a small Creole house promises peace and quiet in a friendly atmosphere.

After breakfast, head west on the Route des Tamarins. This itinerary reveals spectacular views of the ocean, especially from the top of the Trois-Bassins viaduct.

For your first stop at Saint-Leu, 30 minutes away from Saint-Gilles, you can enjoy various watersports or even a paraglider flight. The local diving schools do beginner lessons, underwater explorations and night-diving sessions.

You’ll stay overnight near Saint-Leu, at the   Leu Bleu Astral guestrooms. This place is all about togetherness and ocean views, offering private facilities including your own patio and kitchen area. Make the most of the tropical garden and the swimming pool, with the Indian Ocean as your backdrop.

Take to the road in the early morning to travel to Cilaos, an hour and 40 minutes away on the Route du Volcan. You’ll never forget the red, orange and grey-tinged landscape featuring one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Today you’ll be hiking in the Cilaos Cirque. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll escape to the heights at this site dominated by the Piton des Neiges, culminating 3,069 metres above sea level.

Your efforts will be rewarded with a well-earned dinner at the traditional restaurant  Chez Noé, where the menu features the region’s typical comforting dishes in a mix of old and new flavours.

Ti Fleur Aimée will be your overnight stop. You’ll love the mountain views from this high-end gîte that faces the rising sun.

The day begins with a morning hike to Cap Noir and along the Roche Verre Bouteille path. This short walk is a good opportunity to explore the southern part of the Mafate Cirque without too much effort. 

You’ll then head towards the thermes de Cilaos. This establishment located deep in the cirque of Cilaos is surrounded by mountains and unspoilt nature dotted with waterfalls, luxuriant vegetation and a cryptomeria forest.

Make the most of your evening to contemplate the nocturnal wildlife of Cilaos, before spending a second night at the Ti Fleur Aimée gîte. 

After a few days of adventure, it’s time for a little rest. Begin this day of calm by spending the morning’s free time wandering in Cilaos. When you’re ready, make the 1½-hour drive to Saint-Pierre in your rented car. 

In Saint-Pierre, check into the Villa belle, a charming guesthouse located in the town centre. This guesthouse has the advantage of being set in a 3,000 m² botanical garden, the ideal place to unwind among the greenery. 

Today will be devoted to visiting Saint-Pierre and its beaches and taking advantage of the watersports available. This third town is the beating heart of the South. It is packed with curiosities like a small fishing port, Tamil temples, mosques and churches, proof of the broad cultural horizons of this town where different communities coexist peacefully.

Make the most of the seafront location to enjoy the lively evening atmosphere at  L’épicurieux , a restaurant located in the town centre. This truly is a cool little haven of tranquillity. Be it at the poolside, on the shaded terrace or indoors, it makes the perfect place to relax.

Back to Villa Belle for a second night of restful sleep, to replenish your energy for the following day!

Today’s highlight is a trip to the legendary Piton de la Fournaise a 1½-hour drive from Saint-Pierre. This volcano in the heart of the National Park reaches an elevation of 2,632 metres. Monitored 24/7, it fascinates visitors but access to the site is limited. You can, however, observe the volcano’s lava flow and spurts. 

You'll spend the second part of the day exploring the south coast and the volcanic lava from the Grand Brûlé. A unique panoramic landscape shaped by the lava that frequently flows down the sides of the volcano. This site is part of the Reunion National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage feature and a showcase for the natural world. A mineral landscape with fascinating vegetation.

Dinner is at the seafood restaurant Ancre terre et Mer where the ocean takes pride of place, both in the decor and the food, as well as the view. You’ll then return to the Villa Belle to spend the night. 

Designed like a bandstand, the covered market of Saint-Pierre catches the eye with its impressive 19th-century metallic structure. Inside, the stalls display spices, vanilla, fruit and vegetables, but the emphasis is mostly on locally crafted products. This is the time to purchase those souvenirs! 

For the rest of the day, head for Cap Méchant, an hour away. This is where the lava flow meets the ocean. At this site of myths and legends, the panorama is almost unreal. They say this was the haunt of pirates, a particularly popular place for hiding loot and casks of rum.

Round off your day with a relaxing experience. How about a fresh homemade fruit juice on the terrace before returning to spend your last night at the Villa Belle?

Head for Salazie, a 2-hour drive away. On the way, stop at the Langevin waterfall. Also known as the Grand Galet waterfall, this heavenly spot is a succession of little waterfalls that tumble down the rock face into an immense natural pool. It makes the perfect place to swim and is popular among canyoning enthusiasts. 

It’s also a great picnic spot.

In the afternoon, you can visit the village of Hell-Bourg. This place straight out of the colonial days bears witness to a period of prosperity when the upper classes came to take the waters. The picturesque setting highlights the colourful Creole houses and the exotically lush vegetation.

To spend the night, head for Chez Alice where you can also have dinner. They serve Creole, Chinese and French dishes based on seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Your group had better be motivated! Because this morning it’s an early start to visit the cirque of Salazie. With one of the island’s most impressive waterfalls, the Voile de la Mariée, as its centrepiece, the entire cirque is UNESCO-listed World Heritage.

 

Make the most of the remainder of the day to visit the Maison Folio. In days of old, the great Creole families fled the heat of the coast to find the cool comfort and the peace and quiet of the uplands, amid the sophisticated charm of their picturesque Creole houses. The garden reflects the very essence of the Creole way of life, with its kiosk, fountain and paths built of ancient cobblestone.

Return to the Chez Alice gîte for a second night. 

Enjoy a lie-in before getting back on the road to visit Saint-Benoît, 40 minutes away. You’ll spend the day quietly exploring the town and the surrounding area, between natural pools, waterfalls, primal forests and various species of plants and wildlife. 

In the evening, at the ferme auberge d'Eva Annibal, you’ll enjoy a traditional Creole meal prepared with produce from the farm. Afterwards, head for the delightful villa l’Arbre à pain, the perfect place for an overnight stay with friends between the sea, the river and the mountains.

On the path from Saint-Denis, stop at the Biberon Waterfall, 33 minutes from the Saint Benoît road. Anyone can reach this must-see site without too much effort. 

You have just an hour’s driving left to reach your destination, Saint-Denis, where you and your friends will spend your last evening at the restaurant Reflet des îles. Your last chance to savour and memorise the traditional flavours of Reunion-style cuisine. 

You’ll spend your last night at the hôtel Dina Morgabine where you stayed after the first day.