Recommended Saint-Denis Excursions

The Cirques

Réunion is a place of spectacular natural beauty and one of its must-sees are its three main cirques, Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie. A cirque (or caldera) is a natural amphitheatre, created by a volcano collapsing in on itself. Salazie is perhaps the most striking, covered with roughly 100 waterfalls, most notably The Bride's Veil (Le Voile de la Mariée) near Hell-Bourg, as well as lush vegetation. Cilaos has long been the site of a spa resort, boasting thermal baths for the wealthy inhabitants of the area in the 1800s. It was also once a refuge for runaway slaves. Today it still known for the Irene Accot Thermal Centre; a must for weary hikers. Mafate is the most remote of the cirques and its name is derived from the Malagasy for 'lethal,' illustrating the difficulty of accessing the area. Mafate is dotted with tiny hamlets (the largest is La Nouvelle) and there are no proper roads, so the only access is on foot. The cirques provide unparalleled hiking opportunities and unspoilt wilderness, and are within a few hours of Saint-Denis.

Piton de la Fournaise

Réunion's shield volcano last erupted in July 2006 and is currently one of the world's most active, along with Kilauea in Hawaii. The volcano is spectacular and is one of the island's principal attractions, rising 8,565 feet (2,611m) above sea level. High cliffs, deep craters, le grand brûlé (the burnt slopes) and lava streams create a stunning scene. In the past, lava streams have flown into the sea, destroying the main highway along the way. Eruptions usually occur within the caldera and therefore pose little threat to people. The walk to the summit takes roughly five hours and it is well worth finding out before hand about weather conditions as cloud cover can roll in quickly, preventing hikers from being able to make the climb. An alternative way to explore the area is by helicopter, although this is a more expensive option. Saint Paul, former capital of the island, is the closest town to the volcano and has a lovely street market (on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings), two miles (3km) of black-sand beaches, fine examples of traditional Creole houses, a seaside cemetery and other historic sites.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Close to Saint-Paul on the north western side of the island, Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains is a highly popular weekend destination, offering a beautiful 12-mile (20km) lagoon and gorgeous white, sandy beaches. Saint-Gilles was once a sleepy fishing village, but now it is Réunion's most popular resort, filling up with those seeking sun and fun. Snorkelling, diving and swimming are a must, but those tired of the beach can head to the Garden of Eden, a lovely botanical garden with roughly 700 species of tropical plants. Saint-Gilles has plenty of hotels and restaurants, though these tend to get very crowded at peak holiday periods and weekends.