Reunion Island, an unusual land

Departure for the Cirque de Salazie.

Salazie, the green paradise of high resort with its many hamlets and waterfalls along the road of the river of masts, including the white waterfall, one of the highest in the world, the very beautiful Bridal Veil or the famous "piss in the air" which falls directly onto the road.

Then, you'll travel to Hell-Bourg, listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," which boasts the charm of typical Creole architecture. If time allows, don't miss a visit to the Maison Folio, a must-see in Hell-Bourg, nestled in the heart of the Cirque de Salazie. Mid-morning, you'll join your guide for a Maloya workshop and aperitif. During this time, you'll learn about the origins of the Cirque de Salazie and the Maloya music itself. You'll have the opportunity to try out the instruments before joining in a song in Creole. The morning concludes with a light aperitif in the restaurant's garden, where you can also have lunch.

Before leaving the cirque, take a tour of the old thermal baths of Salazie, a spa resort that contributed to the fame of the cirque on the island.

Take the road to the wild south where various nature stops will be offered to you: Piton Sainte-Rose and its Notre-Dame des Laves church, once spared by the 1977 lava flow.

Crossing the Grand Brûlé area, which leads you to the lava flows, a hostile and uninhabited zone behind the Piton de la Fournaise massif. For years, in clouds of sulfur, smoke, and water vapor, fire and sea met, creating an extraordinary spectacle: the island grew each time by a platform of about thirty hectares. Continue along the old lava flows of the Grand Brûlé, stopping at the 2007 flow, the most impressive.

Afterwards, make a stop at the Garden of Perfumes and Spices where you will discover several endemic species, whether fruit trees, spices or flowers.

Enter the heart of the Wild South, an authentic and traditional part of Réunion, with undeniable Creole charm. You will appreciate the view from Cap Méchant, where the blue sea crashes against the black cliffs.

Today, set off to discover the charming town of Saint-Joseph and its treasures.

To start your day, we recommend discovering the world of tea, from tree to cup, with a guided tour of the Tea Field Labyrinth in Grand Coude. You'll have the opportunity to purchase various agricultural products such as essential oils, teas from the farm, and honey.

After your visit, take the path back towards Langevin and the Grand Galet waterfall, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island. Allow about thirty minutes by car to reach it from the main road, as it's a steep incline. Further down, you can discover the Trou Noir waterfall and enjoy a swim.

To end the day, continue your journey towards Manapany-les-Bains. A sea pool formed by basalt rocks allows you to swim in the vast Indian Ocean. This coastal area offers a magnificent spectacle: the ceaseless crashing of waves against the rugged shores of the Wild South. The unique vegetation is home to a species endemic to Reunion Island, the Manapany green gecko.

Finally, on the way back, stop at Cap Jaune, a geological curiosity of ochre color formed by lava flows pouring into the water. If you go for sunset, the color of the cliff will be even more striking. (Approximately 1 hour round trip walk).

Route to the southern capital, Saint-Pierre.

Saint-Pierre is the largest city on the island and the most important in the south. Founded in the 18th century, the town has grown considerably thanks to its maritime and agricultural activities, including coffee plantations which later gave way to sugarcane. The town, very cosmopolitan, is a pleasant place to live for its residents. The city center of Saint-Pierre is a must-see, always bustling with life!

The marina at Saint Pierre is a pleasant spot, especially at sunset. You can take a stroll along the breakwater to admire the beach on one side and the ocean on the other. Along the seafront, near the town center, you'll find numerous restaurants.

Near the port lies the magnificent beach of Saint Pierre. Despite its small size, the lagoon offers good protection for swimmers, who can enjoy some truly remarkable underwater scenery. It's possible to extend your visit to Terre Sainte, near Saint-Pierre, a

charming fishing village.

In the evening, you will attend a cooking workshop where you will prepare your dinner from start to finish: from the cocktail and Creole dishes to the main course and dessert. Afterwards, you will take the time to enjoy everything together in a friendly atmosphere.

Early departure for the volcano via the forest road which will lead you to unique and unusual landscapes, in the heart of the volcanic massif of Piton de la Fournaise, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A panoramic stop at Nez de Boeuf offers a breathtaking view over the Rivière des Remparts valley. You'll cross the Plaine des Sables, an impressive no man's land with its lunar landscape, multicolored volcanic slag, and ancient craters, before arriving at the Pas de Bellecombe (2,300 m altitude): a vast viewpoint overlooking the volcano unfolds as far as the eye can see: the Enclos Fouqué caldera and the Piton de la Fournaise with its two peaks, Bory (2,632 m altitude) and Dolomieu (2,525 m altitude), its various craters, and lava flows. The view is extraordinary!

On your return, you have the option of visiting the Cité du Volcan, a unique place in Reunion Island that blends new technologies with a redesigned museum experience. Throughout a multi-sensory and interactive visit, you will discover an amazing and decidedly modern world.

This immersive museum experience is achieved through the use of numerous innovative and interactive devices such as holographic projection, augmented reality, large-format "multitouch" surfaces, sound and visual environments… All of these technological processes place the visitor in conditions reproducing certain characteristics of volcanoes and allow them to experience sensations and fully live the experience!

Ascend into the Cirque de Cilaos via the famous 400-bend road, a legendary route on Réunion Island and the only way to reach Cilaos. Along the way, you can admire the island's highest peaks, such as Grand Bénare, Piton des Neiges, Gros Morne, as well as the Col du Taïbit, the majestic Dimitile ridge, and the Trois Salazes, three sentinels perched on the ridge between the Mafate and Cilaos cirques.

The cirque is renowned for its thermal baths with beneficial waters, its wine and vineyards, its embroidery, and its lentil cultivation. You can enjoy the authentic setting of the cirque by strolling through the town center and discovering the lovely Mare à Joncs de Cilaos, located just a short walk from the town center.

Climb to the Roche Merveilleuse (Marvelous Rock) and you'll overlook the village of Cilaos, renowned for its thermal baths with their beneficial waters, its wine and vineyards, its embroidery, and its lentil cultivation. Meet Ms. Techer, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftswoman of France), who will reveal the secrets of Cilaos embroidery and its "jours" (openwork).

In the same accommodation, the host himself will introduce you to his village through a guided tour combining nature and traditions, lasting approximately 2 hours. Arrival around 10:30 am is punctuated by a snack at the house (coffee, fresh fruit juice, fruit and homemade cake), followed by a presentation of the private garden highlighting endemic plants.

Explore the village on foot, then head towards an authentic Creole house for a tasting of local wine. Along the way, the themes of vineyards, lentils, and the village's history are explored in detail, always with anecdotes to make the visit as engaging as possible.

Back home around 12:30, the authentic Creole lunch can begin.

Enjoy this afternoon relaxing in the calm of the islet and the change of scenery of the cirque.

For this morning, we can suggest that you discover the city with a guide who will tell you about life in the circus and its assets that make it famous.

Leave the Cirque de Cilaos and head to a nearby location where the change of scenery will be just as impressive.

Take the road towards Les Makes, known for its astronomical observatory, to the La Fenêtre viewpoint, where you'll have a stunning view of the Cirque de Cilaos. There, you'll realize the winding roads you've traveled to get there.

Before arriving at the terminus, you will also see your accommodation for the night, near the stars and cut off from the world.

Thanks to these upward-facing transparent bubbles, you can contemplate the stars from your bed, between the colored woods that form the forest.

Leaving Saint-Louis, head to Etang-Salé, more precisely to the Pirogue basin, where small boats fill the bay, then to the Souffleur in Saint-Leu, where you will witness a phenomenon similar to geysers.

Along the way, other activities of your choice await you:

1. The Mascarin Botanical Conservatory, perched high above Saint-Leu, offers a glimpse into the precious botanical heritage of the Indian Ocean: numerous species of tropical plants and flowers grace the Saint-Leu lagoon. The estate is also a marvel of Creole architecture and a significant site in local history. Return to Saint-Leu to stroll through this charming Creole town.

1. Discovering Sea Turtles: The Kélonia Sea Turtle Research and Discovery Center's mission is to raise public awareness about the protection of turtles and their habitats. Exhibitions, a projection room, turtle pools, and an underwater panorama. Then, a stroll through Saint-Leu.

1. The Stella Matutina Museum is an industrial museum on the island of Réunion, located in the municipality of Saint-Leu. Housed in a former sugar factory, it traces the history of sugar cane cultivation and industry in this French overseas department in the Indian Ocean.

Head further north to Saint-Gilles-Les Bains, the island's flagship seaside town, where you can experience Réunion differently.

Early departure where you will enjoy this day in the west to go to Piton Maïdo, a unique viewpoint over the Mafate cirque from the belvedere.

On your way back down, you can visit the Villèle Museum and its Pointed Chapel, located on the former colonial estate of Madame Desbassyns. Wealthy landowners and unfortunate slaves alike wrote a chapter of Réunion's history there.

Afterwards, you'll have the opportunity to explore the roads of the west coast behind the wheel of a Mini Moke successor, a vintage and original vehicle for a truly idyllic journey. A perfect family activity to strengthen team spirit and spark curiosity. Bonus: if you participate in the photo challenge, you'll leave with local delicacies!

Alternatively, you can go to Trou d'Eau beach to rent transparent kayaks and take a ride on the water.

Free morning depending on flight schedule.

Before leaving Reunion Island, enjoy the hotel pool, the beach or take a stroll in the town centre of Saint Gilles Les Bains to shop and buy small souvenirs to take with you.

Departure to Roland Garros airport in Saint Denis depending on your flight schedule.

Returning the vehicle and checking in at the airport counter