La Réunion – a small island with great diversity

Publié: 03.05.2025

Vol

CDG → RUN

11h · Économie

Attirance

Piton de la Fournaise

La Réunion, France

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Salazie

Salazie, France

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Hell-Bourg

Hell-Bourg, France

Manger

Rose des Îles

$ · Déjeuner

Attirance

Saga du Rhum

Saint-Pierre, France

Manger

Boulangerie le Maido

French · $ · Petit-déjeuner

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Cilaos

Cilaos, France

La Réunion – an island as big as Vorarlberg, with nearly 800,000 inhabitants – and yet it is far from Europe, right in the Indian Ocean. Nevertheless, politically, it belongs to Europe: since 1946, the island has been a part of France as a so-called overseas department – a remnant of colonial times.

But why am I even here? Quite simply: We are visiting relatives.
My family and I have traveled for about 24 hours. From Austria, we first went to Paris (about seven hours), as there are only direct flights to La Réunion from there. Then followed another eleven-hour flight across half the globe.
Our home for this week was a large house on La Montagne – a mountain that rises directly from the capital, Saint-Denis. To truly explore the island in such a short time, we rented a car. Without it, it would be nearly impossible to discover all the different facets of La Réunion.

Excursion to the Volcano Piton de la Fournaise

This excursion is hardly feasible without a car. We drove from the north of the island all the way to the south and then up to about 2,400 meters – right to the volcano Piton de la Fournaise. The road winds upward in many curves, and the last section is no longer paved – pure adventure!
Once we arrived at the top, we hiked down numerous steps to the small crater “Formica Léo.” A truly spectacular sight! However, one should not forget: whoever goes down must also come back up – and that can really take a toll on the legs.
We returned via the east side of the island. There is a road that directly connects the south with the north – ideal not to have to take the same route back.
Overall, a fantastic excursion! But one should keep an eye on the time – we were out for about 7 to 8 hours.

Trip to the West & into the Jungle

Our day started with a visit to a vanilla farm – a family business that decided about 15 years ago to revive the local vanilla production on La Réunion. During a one-hour tour of the farm, you learn everything about the elaborate processing of the vanilla pod – super exciting and absolutely recommended!
We then went to the Cascade de Niagara waterfall. The waterfall is directly accessible by car and makes for a perfect short stop in a stunning setting.
After that, we drove to the small village of Salazie, in the midst of greenery – peaceful, charming, and surrounded by nature. A little further (about 7 km) lies Hell-Bourg – our absolute insider tip! Colorful, idyllic, friendly, and simply beautiful. A visit is definitely worth it!
Even though Hell-Bourg is accessible by bus, we would recommend a car – it makes the trip much more relaxed and flexible.

Market Day & Rum History

Our day started at the local market in Saint-Denis:

Here, local farmers sell fresh fruit, which is not only colorful and aromatic but also full of vitamins – definitely a highlight in terms of taste and quite different from what we have in Austria.

Market day every Wednesday and Sunday 6-18:00

After a successful shopping trip, we proceeded to a small, charming craft market in Saint-Pierre:

Beautifully designed with great care and highly recommended! Right next to it is the cozy place, Rose des Îles, where you can enjoy authentic local dishes at fair prices – a clear recommendation.

In the afternoon, another highlight was scheduled: a rum tasting at the famous distillery Saga du Rhum. For rum lovers, a real must!
With the audio guide (available in several languages), the tour can be experienced individually – exciting, informative, and tasty at the same time.

We ended the day with a leisurely walk through the small streets of Saint-Pierre – and of course with a view of the sea. A perfect combination of culture, enjoyment, and relaxation!

Morning Mood Above the Clouds – Sunrise at Maïdo

A true highlight on La Réunion is the sunrise from the viewpoint Belvédère du Maïdo.
One looks over an impressive sea of clouds into the caldera Cirque de Mafate – a moment that gives you goosebumps.

Tip of the Day:
Leave early! The spot is popular, and many locals and tourists make their way up. Without a car, this trip is hardly possible – best to set the alarm clock very early and off we go!

Must-Try afterward:
A small bakery on the way back – perfect for a classic French breakfast with croissants, pain au chocolat, and café au lait. It's hard to start a day better!

Between Volcanoes and Villages - the Heart of La Réunion

Did you know that about a third of La Réunion is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? And you can see it: The island captivates with breathtaking nature, roaring waterfalls, vast volcanic landscapes, and charming villages in the midst of greenery.

Must-See:
The mountain village Cilaos, located at 1,002 meters, lies in the heart of the island and enchants with colorful houses, cozy restaurants, and typical French boulangeries.
The approach is adventurous – the winding road leads through impressive landscapes – but the view and the charm of the place are absolutely worth it.

Tip of the Day:
Make sure to plan time for walking! Cilaos can be wonderfully explored on foot, and little surprises await everywhere.

Fun Fact:
The road to Cilaos, with over 400 curves, is among the most exciting on the island – not for the faint of heart, but a real experience!