Tour guides France > Reunion Island

5 ideas for guided tours in Reunion Island

• Mafate circus

  

  Cut off from the rest of the island, the Cirque de Mafate can only be reached on foot or by helicopter. No roads, no cars — just trails winding through mountains and valleys. This isolation gives it a character all its own, a slower rhythm that feels almost outside of time.

  With nearly 140 kilometers of marked paths, Mafate draws hikers of all levels. Each trail reveals a different scene: deep ravines, dense forests, jagged peaks. The vegetation shifts with the altitude, and the light reshapes the landscape throughout the day.

  From the Maïdo viewpoint, perched at 2,190 meters, the entire cirque spreads out below. The mountain lines crisscross and overlap, forming what looks like a vast mineral labyrinth. In the distance, you can sometimes spot the rooftops of the îlets, the isolated villages clinging to the slopes.

  These hamlets, reachable only on foot, deepen the feeling of being cut off from the outside world. Residents live close to nature, welcoming passing hikers into their guesthouses. Mafate is a rare experience, marked by walking, silence, and encounters with a way of life that remains largely untouched.

• Voile de la Mariée Waterfall

  

  In the Cirque de Salazie, the Cascade du Voile de la Mariée reveals itself on cliffs draped in lush vegetation. Its many streams of water fall in delicate curtains, like the light fabric of a bridal veil — the image that gave this site its name.

  Barely a kilometer from the Creole village of Hell-Bourg, the waterfall can be admired from the road or along a path that winds into the greenery. The hike, about an hour and a half round trip, crosses streams, watercress fields, and stones polished smooth by the water, creating a setting that feels both simple and alive.

  The flow changes with the seasons. After heavy rains, the water roars, covering the rock walls in a powerful cascade. In drier periods, the streams turn thin and almost transparent, offering a fragile impression that contrasts with Salazie’s usual abundance.

  The path can be slippery, so good shoes are recommended. But the effort is quickly rewarded by the cool air, the ferns, and the tropical flora surrounding the waterfall, giving the place a calming, contemplative atmosphere.

• Hermitage Beach

  

  On the island’s west coast, Hermitage Beach stretches beneath a long line of filaos that provide welcome shade. The pale sand contrasts with the calm lagoon, protected by the coral reef, where the water stays shallow and serene. Families settle in for the day, children splashing in the shallows while adults enjoy the stillness of the flat sea.

  A mask and snorkel are all you need to spot colorful fish weaving through the coral. The lagoon, fragile yet still well preserved, keeps a sense of peace not found on every beach of the island. At low tide, walking becomes slow, and bare feet sometimes brush against dry coral — a reminder that nature still rules here.

  Nearby, the resort town of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains comes alive in the evening, with restaurants and terraces facing the ocean. It’s the perfect way to extend a day spent at Hermitage before heading a little farther south to the Jardin d’Eden, a botanical park where local species mingle with plants from around the world.

• The Plaine des Sables

  

  In the south, along the volcano route, the Plaine des Sables looks like a vast lunar surface at nearly 2,300 meters above sea level. This is a stark mineral landscape where cones, peaks, and other geological formations stand out, sometimes glowing red, sometimes bronze.

  The Plaine des Sables is the obligatory passage to reach the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, bordered by the Pas de Bellecombe on one side and the Rempart des Sables on the other. Walking here feels like landing on Mars, in this unique desert valley carved by intense volcanic activity. There’s no vegetation, only a mineral landscape stretching as far as the eye can see. The road cuts straight through this lunar setting to reach one of the most active volcanoes in the world, erupting on average two to three times per year.

  The approach begins through a cedar forest, tall conifers that soon give way to stunted vegetation shaped by cold and altitude. The road becomes more like a trail across volcanic rock.

  Arriving at the Pas des Sables, on the edge of the cliffs at 2,350 meters, you’re rewarded with one of the most astonishing panoramas. A desert of ash with reddish hues stretches before you, looking exactly like the moon. Lean against the railing and let your gaze sink deep into the caldera, which bears the marks of thousands of eruptions. Black streaks from recent lava flows lie on rock scarred by much older ones. Frozen, twisted magma formations can be seen everywhere — a natural sculpture garden for travelers seeking adventure.

• The Markets of Saint-Denis

  

  The island’s capital keeps an old town marked by Creole houses and colonial buildings. The energy of Saint-Denis is felt in its music, in the voices crossing paths in the streets, in the smell of cooking drifting from open windows. Nothing captures this spirit better than the markets of Saint-Denis, true gathering places where locals and visitors mix.

  Under colorful roofs or in the open air, you wander past stalls of tropical fruit, bags of spices, and local crafts. You bite into a hot samosa, pause at a bouquet of vanilla, and listen to conversations in Creole without always catching every word. It’s a simple, direct immersion into Réunionese culture.

  Three markets stand out:

  – Marché du Chaudron.
  Here everything is in motion — the smell of fresh fish, medicinal herbs, voices rising above the stalls. The tisaneurs of Réunion share their remedies with passersby, while local producers proudly defend their craft.

  – Grand Marché.
  Built in 1864, it brings together traditional crafts — embroidered tablecloths, basketry, marquetry. Its pavilions, lined up on either side of a covered walkway, recall another era, yet the place remains lively, perfect for taking home a handmade keepsake.

  – Petit Marché.
  More intimate and recently renovated, it’s where the people of Saint-Denis shop for fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish. You’ll also find spices, jams, honey, and infused rums — a little taste of Réunion’s most authentic and flavorful offerings.