Covering nearly 2128 hectares, the commune of Saint-Paul, on Reunion Island, is one of the largest in the whole of France. On the west coast of the island, Saint-Paul is without a doubt one of the most popular destinations in this pretty corner of paradise, offering dream beaches and endless hiking trails. Perfect for an adventure-themed vacation!
Bordered to the north by the Rive des Galets and to the west by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Saint-Paul is, due to its size and renowned dynamism, one of the best holiday destinations for those who dream of discovering Reunion Island. The town owes its development initially to agriculture, trade and now to tourism. What makes people come to Saint-Paul is above all its attractiveness: bathed by a hot and dry climate, bordered by the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean, the town also has an interesting town centre made up of lively little streets where you will find a whole host of small food shops and other souvenir shops housed in pretty, colourful Creole buildings. A must? Take a stroll along the waterfront! Well laid out, it will offer you beautiful panoramas on a magnificent black volcanic sand beach (where swimming is forbidden), and on the powerful waves that come to hit the promenade. It is also the dynamic centre of the town and home to the famous Saint-Paul's fairground market on Fridays all day and Saturdays. Known to be one of the most picturesque on the island, it unveils on its stalls myriads of fruits, vegetables and other colourful and tasty delicacies, for a perfect immersion in the local traditions with a great deal of rougail sausages, chicken curry, spicy samoussas, gratin de chouchou, caramboles, Reunionese corks, chilli candies, coconut candies and other small glasses of rum arranged with vanilla, pineapple or lemon. You will also find there what to remake your wardrobe by means of pareos, bags, hats and jewels in shells particularly appreciated by the children.
We also recommend that you take time for a short walk along the landing stage that juts out into the sea. This pontoon, which was once used to unload merchandise, now offers visitors incredible panoramas over the entire Bay of Saint-Paul, especially at sunset for a "so romantic" moment! For other outings, whether contemplative or sporting, the pond of Saint-Paul, classified as a National Nature Reserve, but also the national forest and the marine cemetery in the direction of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, the park of the Cave of the First Frenchmen, the Tour des Roches, the Hindu temple Siva Soupramanien, without forgetting the loop of the Piton Maïdo, and the hike Le Grand Bénare are particularly recommended. Not forgetting of course the excursions through the Cirque de Mafate and the visits around the most famous of all volcanoes, the Piton de la Fournaise! But the commune is also renowned for having some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Those of the Ermitage de La Saline-les-Bains or Boucan Canot to name but a few are beautiful, oh yes beautiful as in the movies, and make you dream like the most amazing postcards. Boat trips, swimming, paddling, sunbathing and surfing will also be part of these holidays, which, we can bet, will be memorable!