An island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, beaches lined with coconut trees, a turquoise sea and the white of the reef, an ideal exotic dream, but Réunion is more than this, it is also a paradise of differences. An uncontaminated natural environment offering a wealth of different landscapes, in an area of just 2500 sq km.

The island boasts a variety of landscapes worthy of a continent. At every corner, it changes its appearance, from the arid to the tropical, to the alpine, providing visitors with all the very best it has to offer. From the sea to the mountains, from volcanoes to the enchanting valleys in the centre of the island.
Thanks to abundant rainfall, the mountain valleys are covered with lush tropical vegetation, with tree ferns and orchids. Nature offers a mix of extraordinary plants.
Besides the native species, other exotic varieties have been added from other climatic regions such as the brushwood from the African grasslands, the bamboo of south-east Asia, the alpine conifers, the vanilla plant, a native of Mexico, the ferns, the geraniums, the coffee and cotton plants.

The Island of La Réunion is French territory, a fragment of the European Community surrounded by fields of sugar cane and mango trees. Similarly to the natural surroundings, the population consists of a real mix of races, just like a large metropolis.
This has created a cultural context unique in the world with a mixture of traditions, customs and religions stretching from Europe to Asia and Africa.
It is the history of centuries of migration, from the farmers of Brittany to Paris state officials, from Madagascan slaves to Indian labourers, from Chinese shopkeepers to Arab traders, from Portuguese navigators to Dutch sailors.

A French possession since 1638, the island was originally a prison for unruly sailors and persons banished from the homeland. In the 18th century, coffee plantations were set up and then, in the 19th century, until 1950, sugar cane was grown.
This was a very labour-intensive crop, so after slavery was abolished in 1848, many immigrants arrived, some from far-off countries.
Since 1950, new types of crops have dotted the landscape, such as orchids and above all plantations of vanilla of the bourbon type, known throughout the world. In the 60s, the island took on importance for the production of essences, with geranium and vetiver extracts for making prized-essence perfumes.

Located close to Madagascar, Réunion offers a unique environment with mountains towering up to 3000 metres.
Two volcanoes, one dormant and the other active (Piton de la Fournaise), have left traces that enable us to journey back through the geological periods.
The two volcanic massifs are linked by a vast upland plain with an almost alpine appearance, where, at Plaine des cafres, at an altitude of 1200 metres, alongside the acacias that bring to mind the smells of Africa, snapdragons bloom and cows graze in landscape similar to that of Haute Savoie.
In the centre of the island, three huge amphitheatres have formed. These surround the two volcanic massifs, two cirques that can be reached by car, "Salazie and Cilaos", the other, "Cirque de Mafate", being only reachable on foot or by helicopter. In this area, among fields and rocks, a small community of around 600 people lives called "stubborn tropical mountain folk".

The Cirque de Salazie, close to the capital, Saint Dénis, is on the other hand affected by frequent rainfall, which swells the streams that cross thick woodland and form hundreds of waterfalls.
The place is a popular destination for all kayak and canoe enthusiasts. The Cirque de Cilaos offers hundreds of alpine trails, to be covered on foot or by mountain bike.
The locality is twinned with Chamonix.
Recently, spa facilities have been opened, exploiting the sodium bicarbonate waters of three springs which gush out at a temperature of 30-38°C.
Réunion also means all-year-round sea and sunshine and volcanic sand beaches between Saint Dénis and Saint Pierre.
The temperature of the sea remains constantly between 20°C and 26°C for most of the year.
For surf enthusiasts who want to put their acrobatic skills to the test, the ideal destination is Saint Leu, a peaceful little village on the west coast.

Between Saint Leu and Saint Gilles, a huge marine park permits exploring the sea bottom with mask and flippers, or on board a motorboat with transparent bottom, which also offers a comfortable view of the coral reef, with its shoals of multicoloured fish, balloon fish and parrot fish.
Be careful though - once the sea depth reaches twenty metres, you'll be in the company of sharks and barracuda.

Translated by interpres sas