What to see, what to do Réunion?
The 10 good reasons to go Réunion
Adrenaline
Between paragliding, canyoning and exploring lava tunnels, anything is possible.
Tropical climate
29°C in the air, as much in the water, and exuberant vegetation on all sides.
A plural identity
La Réunion des Cafres, Malbars, Tamils, Zarabes, Yabs, Zoreils, Sinois, Mahorais..
Places of worship
Hindu temples, Christian churches and mosques dot the island.
It's going up!
Reunion Island is best enjoyed on foot. Crabbing is the way to go back in time.
The eruptions of the volcano
As unpredictable as it is active, the Piton de la Fournaise produces a number of beautiful flows every year.
From one fauna to another
Between sea and land, in search of whales, sleepy, straw in tails and tangs.
The architecture
From neoclassical Creole huts to large estates and Sino-style shops. Admire!
Music
Join a kabar and dance the sega or maloya.
Curries and rougails
Meals are a cheerful mix of bichique curry, rougail, gratin chouchous and jujube pie.
What to visit Réunion?
Interview: My Reunion
by Roxane Bouadjera
Roxane moved to Reunion Island in 2015. As a true discoverer of good food and drink addresses, she shares on her blog the places where it is good to eat and drink. She also creates content for the island's tourism and gastronomy professionals, and joins the Petit Futé team in 2021. Discover in this guide "her" Reunion, the one she has been discovering with wonder for more than seven years.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Réunion
Timetable
Most museums open between 9am and 9:30am and close between 5pm and 6pm. Some close between 12pm and 2pm. Guided tours are often at fixed times and subject to booking.
To be booked
Before planning your visit, be sure to check days and times. Reservations are often recommended, especially for guided tours. As far as activities are concerned, most websites offer an online booking and payment system.
Budget & Tips
You'll always have the choice of several establishments or service providers, so don't hesitate to compare. Activities, walks and excursions offered by tourist offices can often be negotiated at attractive rates.
Main events
Churches, temples, mosques, pagodas... Réunion Island is an island of all religions, of all peoples. An island of tolerance. The festival of Guan Di, the warrior god of Chinese mythology; the Cavadee festival, celebrating the Tamil god Mourouga; Dipavali, the Tamil festival of light; the festival of Aïd el-Fitr; the "fire walks" in honor of the Hindu goddess Pandialé; the "fèt Kaf" commemorating the abolition of slavery on December 20, 1848; Christmas; the Chinese New Year; the Tamil New Year.. are just some of the festivities and traditions inherited from the island's cultural mix that give Reunion's people a rhythm of life throughout the year.
Among sporting events, the Grand Raid (the famous "Diagonale des fous"), which takes place in October, is a highlight, eagerly awaited each year by athletes from all over the world.
On the cultural front, the Sakifo music festival is internationally renowned. A much-anticipated event, too, every year.
Guided tours
Good to know: Réunion's tourist office does a fantastic job of providing information, listing and promoting the region. Each region has its own dedicated office, team and website (sudreuniontourisme.fr, ouest-lareunion.com, reunionest.fr, lebeaupays.com). They are a mine of information and tips, a source of inspiration, and full of good advice to help you prepare your vacation, complementing, of course, that of Le Petit Futé! Numerous walks, hikes, activities and guided outings are presented and/or organized by tourist offices, at negotiated prices. Don't hesitate to consult them.
What's very local
Picnics are an institution on Réunion Island. On weekends or during school vacations, all year round and whatever the season, families and friends gather for the traditional Creole meal in one of the many picnic areas. In the city, in the lowlands, in the hills, in the shade of filaos or coconut palms, facing the ocean, beside a river, in the forest... it's always a convivial moment, in the open air, traditionally around generous Creole dishes (wood-fired curries and rougails, rice and grains, zembrocale, chilli sweets, samoussas, bouchons...).
