Southern Region Réunion

Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world's most active volcanoes. The volcano is located in the south east part of Réunion Island. A nested caldera has been created by two large eruptions.

The airport of Saint-Pierre Pierrefond is situated in the south of Réunion, near the major tourist site of the island. It is the smaller of the two airports located on the island, Roland Garros Airport being the other. The airport has a single runway.

Étang-Salé is famous for its black sand beach. This pleasant rural village, nestled against the backdrop of the mountains, is typical of Creole serenity and lifestyle. Located on the edge of the forest, it invites the visitor to escape, to picnic and hike in lush, richly scented surroundings.

Saint Pierre resolutely turned towards the sea, with its marina port and its attractively renovated promenade, the South’s largest town is brimming with life. The waterfront town of Saint-Pierre has a lagoon and small fine white sandy beaches that are much appreciated by the people of the South. Saint-Pierre has retained the typically Creole charm of its old houses and buildings, following in the style of the current town hall, which was previously the coffee store of the India Company.

At an altitude varying from 400 m to 2000 m above sea level, Le Tampon is a residential and agricultural “commune”. The weather is cooler here than on the coast.

Saint-Louis invites you on a discovery of its heritage, both cultural and natural. The town is also a centre for wood crafts.

The highland plains of the Plaine des Cafres and the Volcan Paysage are uncommon sights on a so-called "tropical" island, as is the massif du Piton de la Fournaise which offers visitors an astonishing sight, both bucolic and unforgettable, just a few kilometres away from a picture-postcard coastline. The sights of the Plaines and the volcano are without doubt must-sees for first-time visitors. Le Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is the jewel in the crown of Réunion’s natural treasures, regularly putting on a spectacular show!

L’Entre-Deux is a village which "welcomes visitors with open arms and a big heart" has lovingly tended gardens, land prolifically cultivated by the most dedicated farmers, and in the high season, hundred year-old litchi trees heavy with their flamboyant fruit.

Saint Philippe, a small commune, typical of the wild south, seems as if born out of the volcano itself. Black basalt rock contrasts with the lush vegetation in abundance here. The island’s heart seems to beat here in Saint-Philippe, with its rainforests hiding a thousand delicate scents which float in the air such as cardamom, growing on the forest floor, cinnamon, with its tender green leaves, vanilla pods climbing their filaos cane and cloves.

Le Gouffre of l’Etang Salé offers to us a representation of a seacoast grave by the elements, as well as the whole coastline. People come to this beach especially during rough weather not to sunbathe but to see the awesome spray that comes out of the blowhole.

La Ravine Des Cabris is a small river of Réunion situated in the south west of the island. Generally dry, the river flow through the south west on the communal territory of Saint Pierre then flows out in the sea near the airport of Pierrefond.

The gateway to the "Wild South", Saint-Joseph has carefully preserved its gentle and unique pace of life. The capital of turmeric (or "péi saffron") and ginger production, Saint-Joseph gives the wild South its spicy aromas. A visit to the Turmeric house, with its garden and spice grotto will delight visitors. The site of Manapany-les-Bains is an excellent introduction to Saint-Joseph. The place was immortalised thirty years ago by Luc Donat, famous Reunionese singer, nicknamed the "King of Sega".

Petite-Ile is an agricultural village which owes its name to the unique piece of land floating just off Réunion: an inaccessible islet perched on a steep rocky outcrop, braced against the ravages of the ocean. The town has now become very residential, and has a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere. Petite-Ile, known as the breadbasket of Réunion, exhales the scent of garlic and honey, minglind with the gentle acidic aroma of citrus fruit growing in abundance in the orchards: oranges, mandarins and "tangors". In this town, the yellow-orange colour of the fruit contrasts with the sloping land, lush with sugar cane plantations.

The beach of Grand Bois is situated off the beaten track is far from the crowds, and where you can only enjoy a calm leisurely atmosphere.

The commune of Les Avirons is the link between the Western plateaux and the South. The altitude rises sharply here and the climate becomes more suited to the agricultural activities of the Creole back-country: sugar cane of course, but also animal husbandry, vegetable growing, fruit producing, and large pasture lands among the most productive on the island.

La Rivière Saint Louis is well-known for its artisan, carpenter and furniture maker. Each year, during the month of august, they organized le Salon Expo-Bois where all the artisan of the island show their creation.

The Helipad of Pierrefond Airport is situated in the south of Réunion Island at Saint Pierre near the major tourist site of the island.