Réunion
The main attraction in Le Baril is the Puits des Anglais, a splendid saltwater pool that has been constructed in the basaltic rock. It's mobbed at…
Must-see attractions in Mauritius, Réunion & Seychelles
Réunion
In the modern Port de Plaisance complex, the quite engaging Aquarium de la Réunion houses a series of excellent underwater displays, including tanks with…
Réunion
Learn more about the virtues (and fragrances) of turmeric and vetiver at this small museum in a cute Creole house. It also sells delicious homemade…
Mauritius
The Mauritius Glass Gallery produces unusual souvenirs made from recycled glass. You can see pieces being made using traditional glass-blowing methods in…
Réunion
One of St-Pierre's major draws is its beach, a long, fine sweep of pale sand massaged by aquamarine waters. It's exposed to the prevailing winds, though…
Réunion
Find this lovely swimming spot at Manapany-les-Bains. There's no proper beach here (the shore is rocky) but there's a protected tide pool where you can…
Mauritius
On the site of the old salt flats of Black River, this place runs 15-minute tours that take in old and new salt production techniques and this striking…
Victoria
The focal point of the city centre is this downsized replica of the clock tower on London's Vauxhall Bridge. It was brought to Victoria in 1903 when the…
Réunion
This perfectly preserved Creole mansion was built in the 1790s and is considered one of the oldest of its kind in St-Denis. The well-proportioned fountain…
Réunion
At the southern end of the main beach, Plage de Trou d'Eau is a nice place to relax and have a safe swim in the lagoon, although it's not supervised…
Réunion
You can't miss this imposing building at the eastern end of Rue du Four à Chaux. Entrepôt Kervéguen was used as a warehouse by the French East India…
Réunion
St-Denis' small but wildly colourful Hindu temple stands out among a row of shops on a busy road in a slightly decrepit neighbourhood. Visitors are not…
Réunion
The Hôtel de Ville ranks among St-Pierre's most spectacular historic buildings. It started life as a coffee warehouse for the French East India Company…
Réunion
Plage des Brisants is a superb stretch of white sand on the southern side of the Port de Plaisance. That said, swimming is forbidden (yes, sharks). It's…
Réunion
One of the grandest buildings in St-Denis, the Préfecture began life as a coffee warehouse in 1734 and later served as the headquarters of the French East…
Réunion
This contemporary art gallery hosts changing exhibitions of works by local artists and those from neighbouring countries. It's housed in a handsome pale…
The East
This handsome colonial villa dates from 1925 and is worth a look. It's northeast of the centre. Guided tours in French are available on the hour from 10am…
The East
Next to the tourist office, the small lighthouse – the only one on the island – is worth a gander. It was built in 1845 and is still in operation.
Réunion
At the southern end of Boucan Canot's main beach, you'll find this smaller, much quieter beach, but swimming is forbidden and there's no lifeguard.
Réunion
This small, intimate beach in the Terre Sainte neighbourhood is rarely crowded. It's great for sunbathing. Note that there's no shade.
Réunion
Built in 1765, St-Pierre church is one of St-Pierre's many architectural gems and features an elegant peristyle and two towers.
Mauritius
A narrow sliver of sand at the tip of the peninsula, this beach has lovely rooms but very little space, especially on weekends.
Réunion
West of the centre, this highly colourful Tamil temple is well worth a gander. Visitors are not allowed inside the temple.
Réunion
Built in 1854, the Palais Rontaunay is a bourgeois villa that has preserved the elegant style of the 19th century.
Réunion
An elegant landmark east of the centre, the neoclassical Hôtel de la Sous-Préfecture begs to be admired.
Réunion
Find this strikingly colourful temple dating from 1871 on a street running parallel to the seafront.
Médiathèque Raphaël Barquisseau
Réunion
This lovingly restored building dates from the thriving era of the French East India Company.
Réunion
With its handful of colourful fishing boats, the teensy fishing harbour is worth a peek.
Réunion
If you like temples, this discreet yet vividly colourful building is well worth a peek.
Sœurs de Saint-Joseph de Cluny
Réunion
Don't miss this grand Creole mansion that was built in the late 18th century.
Black River Gorges National Park
Fine views of Tamarin Falls. You'll need a guide to get here.
Port Louis
This racecourse was a military training ground until the Mauritius Turf Club was founded in 1812, making it the second-oldest racecourse in the world…
La Digue
La Digue is one of the last refuges of the black paradise flycatcher, which locals call the veuve (widow). This small forest reserve, which has been set…
Mauritius
Robert Edward Hart (1891–1954) was a renowned Mauritian poet, apparently appreciated by both the French and the English. His house, La Nef, is an…
Mauritius
Standing on the shore 500m west of Baie du Cap, the Matthew Flinders Monument was erected in 2003 to honour the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the…
Port Louis
Located on the far side of the citadel, Plaine Verte is the Muslim quarter of the city and strongly contrasts with the glass towers in central Port Louis…
Port Louis
Jardins de la Compagnie is the city's most attractive garden, with its vast banyan trees, huge number of statues, quiet benches and fountains. During the…
Mauritius
The actual trou d'eau douce for which the town is named can be found in a human-made stone hole next to the national coastguard's office. To find the…
The East
For a complete change of pace and atmosphere, consider spending some time in the protected 159-hectare Forêt Ste-Marguerite, way up in the hills. Fans of…
The North
You can still see the ruins of the French arsenal – along with a flour mill and a lime kiln – within the grounds of the Maritim Resort & Spa at Baie de l…
