A place that will excite you, a beautiful and varied land, where you can immerse yourself in unspoiled nature, perhaps staying in an ancient Creole house. Beaches, trekking and excursions in a peaceful place to be observed with respect.
I find it hard to choose 5 things or places to recommend as unmissable to grasp the essence ofFrench island of La RĂ©union; a land so beautiful and varied, which struck me in many different aspects and landscapes. But I have to select and so this is what, based on my personal experience and my emotions, I would like to suggest you.
La RĂ©union: 5 unmissable stops on the French island
1. The beach
You say Indian Ocean and you immediately think of the beach with palm trees and the crystal clear sea full of colorful fish. There are many beaches on RĂ©union, indeed many. They are often of white sand, palm trees are not lacking; Unfortunately, however, the bad news is that the waters are not always suitable for bathing. The scarcity of coral reefs makes these seas dangerous and infested (with sharks). The RĂ©unionese have circumvented the obstacle creating, with large stones or special barriers, some protected tanks near the beach where you can swim safely.
But there is also the dream part, the coast of Saint Gilles Les Bains, the Ermitage les Bains, La Saline it is protected by the barrier; here you can dive safely, in the transparent and blue waters full of colorful fish that can be seen while snorkeling. The tropical dream is complete!
2. The whales
On each guide it is written that in the southern winter the whales (indeed the humpback whales) from Antarctica come to overwinter and reproduce in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
In Saint Gilles les Bains they sell motorboat rides to go and see them and when I bought it (30 euros, two hours) I hoped in my heart that it wasn't a tourist trap. It wasn't!
Le humpback whale they are really there, they are approached with respectful distance and can be photographed or admired in their evolutions. The emotion is very strong in seeing both the puff of air and their pirouettes, the great tail that emerges and plunges back into the water; and in addition to humpback whales I also saw a pod of dolphins and large sea turtles.
Tip: if you sit on the beach in the afternoon and stare at the horizon, like me, you will be lucky enough to see whales even from the beach, an additional emotion at no cost !!!
3. The active volcano
RĂ©union is an island of volcanic origin, a now extinct volcano has created its majestic mountains, a still active volcano gives spectacle several times a year. The Snape de la Fournaise it is located on the east side of the island and can be seen from two different points.
If you decide to take the coastal road, you will pass in the middle of the Pays brulé, a desolate land of lava where you can see the effects of the flows over time. A barren but fascinating landscape, where you can also see how nature regains ground, with the vegetation that slowly “colonizes” the clods.
But the volcano can be observed more closely from the center of the island, thanks to the Route du Vulcan and crossing the suggestive Plaine des sables, an almost lunar landscape of red earth and up to Pas de Bellecombe, a pass from which you have a privileged point of view on the Piton. The road is a bit long, but it is absolutely worth it, also for the many observation points that are found.
4. The Cirques
They are the craters of the no longer active volcano, there are three and are located inside the island: forbidden not to go there! Also because it is here, inside, that you will discover the true soul of RĂ©union.
Il Circus of Cilaos is the most spectacular. With a diameter of 10 kilometers, perfectly round, it has the town of Cilaos at its center.
It is a holiday resort, starting point for excursions to the highest mountain, the Piton des Neiges (3070 meters).
Il Circus of Salazie, very green, with lush tropical vegetation, with the two towns of Salazie but above all Hell- Bourg, one of the most beautiful villages in France, a country with old houses with a Creole soul that won me over.
The last is the Mafate Circus, the most mysterious and remote: there are no roads to reach it, only paths to be covered on foot in several days; the inhabited centers are isolated from the world, and I confess that I only saw it from above, climbing the Piton Maido, a mountain that rises like a balcony over this incredible environment.
5. A Creole house
Choose one for your stay Creole house, there are many accommodations in gite or chambres d'hotes in the typical houses. They are wooden houses, up to two floors, colored in pastel shades and decorated with white sheet metal flounces that look like lace. I'm old houses, with heavy wooden shutters and creaking floors, toilets so-so but with a charm you won't find in any modern hotel.
Sometimes the people who manage them prepare breakfast for the guests and on request dinner with Creole dishes (to try) based on rice, legumes and stewed meat or fish.
But first there will be an aperitif with alcohol and tropical fruits. At the end of dinner they will offer you a rum arrangé, the flavored rum as it is prepared in these parts. Or bananas from the garden… always with a smile.
