Tucked away from the wind and the sea swell, along the north-west coast of Réunion, the municipality of Saint-Paul offers a good many leisure and sightseeing opportunities to its visitors in search of a change of scene and a chance to unwind. Its vast territory indeed includes the island's most beautiful beaches. Those of Boucan Canot, L'Ermitage and Saline-les-Bains, to name but a few, will delight you with their fine sand and wonderful swimming waters! Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts can enjoy a range of water sports such as sea kayaking, sailing and snorkelling.

If you are in the area at the end of the week, don't miss the famous open-air market in Saint-Paul, which is held every Friday and Saturday morning on the seafront esplanade. Considered as one of Réunion's most picturesque markets, this colourful, flavourful event is sure to charm you, with its wonderful stands of local fruit and vegetables, spices, chilli peppers, honey and crafts. During your shopping trip, be sure to take a break and try the delicious chilli pepper sweets, samosas and other Creole specialities available there! A real treat…

Not far from there, you can take a little walk to the Saint-Paul wharf to admire the bay and the Indian Ocean, before heading to the charming Place du Général de Gaulle, located in the city centre, where you can not only see the elegant façade of the city hall but also relax near the fountain, in the shade of the trees and palms. Joggers and walkers will enjoy a trip to the Saint-Paul pond, a protected area and listed National Nature Reserve, or they might opt for a walk or run along the sea, maybe following the pleasant fitness trail in the national forest.

At the southern exit from the city, towards Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, lies the Saint-Paul marine cemetery, a particularly picturesque site and a listed historic monument. Established next to the ocean along a beautiful black sand beach, this unique place contains the graves of famous people like the poet Leconte de Lisle, the painter Arthur Grimaud or the pirate Olivier Levasseur aka La Buse (The Buzzard). Opposite the cemetery, on the other side of the main road, you can enjoy a very pleasant picnic in the Premiers Français cave park. This cavern, now closed to the public, is where the island's first French settlers are thought to have found refuge…

Located by the seaside on the west coast of Réunion, at the north exit of the town of Saint-Leu, the Kélonia site is not just a place for raising awareness of the environment and sea turtles; it is also a research and treatment centre for these protected species. At the centre, sick or injured turtles are cared for before being released into the ocean once they have recovered.

Open to visitors, the sea turtle observatory has a three-part museum trail for you to follow: the Discovery area, where you can see the various environments inhabited by these marine reptiles during the course of their biological cycle, and admire several species of sea turtles in a huge open-air pool; the Confrontation room, where the exhibition documents the close links between human societies and sea turtles in different eras and places; and the Future area, equipped with multimedia and interactive displays, addressing the issue of how to preserve these endangered species and their habitats.

For a scenic way to round off your visit, be sure to go up to the top of the observation tower. From there you will have a lovely view of Kélonia's pools and the Bay of Saint-Leu! Before leaving the area, you can also pay a visit to the centre's gift shop selling local craft items.

Monday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM

In the heights of Saint-Leu, at Les Colimaçons, lies a wonderful estate devoted to plant life on Réunion. In this haven of peace and tranquillity, full of native plants and other rare species, you can enjoy a pleasant walk to discover some exceptional plant collections. The Coffee Bushes collection, Bamboo Ravine collection, Historical Plants collection, Orchard collection, Réunion collection, Succulents collection, Palm Trees collection, and Orchids and Ferns collection boast a range of remarkable plants that you can admire in the different parts of the estate! Lovers of built heritage also have the opportunity to visit a delightful Creole house that once belonged to the Marquis de Chateauvieux.

Guided tours of the Réunion, Orchard and Historical Plants collections are also available for all those who want to find out more about these three botanical areas.

Monday: Fermé
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Sunday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Accessible from the Le Guillaume district in Saint-Paul via a long, winding road, the belvedere on the Piton Maïdo peak is a must-see sight on the island of Réunion. Perched at an altitude of 2,205 metres, this impressive cliff-edge balcony not only offers an exceptional view of the famous natural cirque of Mafate and its dizzying ramparts, but also a magnificent view of the island's west coast! To fully appreciate these unique landscapes, you must get there early in the morning, before the clouds come in…

As you go back down towards Le Guillaume, you can take a short break at one of the many picnic kiosks along the roadside, some of which even enjoy direct views of the coastline and the Indian Ocean!

Standing on the edge of the Indian Ocean, on the south-west coast of Réunion, the lovely Town of Art and History of Saint-Pierre invites all lovers of built heritage to come and admire its architectural treasures. In the historic centre there are still some delightful Creole villas full of period charm, like the house of the Motais de Narbonne, erected in the 1820s, and that of Adam de Villiers, built in the 1760s. When it comes to religious architecture, there are some beautiful buildings such as the Church of St Peter and St Paul from the 18th century, the Attâyab-ul-Massâdid mosque with its minaret 42 metres high, the Guan Di Chinese temple dating from the early 20th century, and Narasinga Péroumal Tamil temple. These four different places of worship are a wonderful example of the harmonious blend of cultures in the island's population…

Before heading for the seafront, you can also pay a visit to the charming Place de la Mairie, to admire its pretty fountain and the elegant city hall set in an old building that belonged to the French East India Compmany. Alternatively you can head over to Rue Victor le Vigoureux and discover its famous covered market. Open every day except Sunday, the latter is a big metal structure full of lovely stalls selling fruit and vegetables, spices and crafts from the local area and Madagascar.

Popular with residents and tourists alike, the pleasant seafront of Saint-Pierre is particularly attractive with its golden sand beach, marina and embankments that are ideal for a stroll. If you take a walk near the harbour, you will see the picturesque dry dock, a listed historic monument, and its little fishing boats. Nearby, you can lay out your towel on the warm sand of the welcoming beach, which has showers and a lifeguard station, before going for a swim in the lagoon's peaceful waters.