Volcanic, Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean, is also known for its tropical forests and beaches. Magnificent, impressive, charming… Reunion Island will seduce you with its incredible hikes around the Piton de la Fournaise and the Mafate circus, its traditional ceremonies and its various activities such as paragliding. In What if we left? on Europe 1, the columnist Jean-Bernard Carillet, also author at Lonely Planet, shares Wednesday his essentials for a visit of the small onion island.
Go on an assault on Piton de la Fournaise
The Piton de la Fournaise, the island's famous volcano - one of the most active in the world - can be visited in various ways. In particular, it is possible to get to the top of the enclosure by car and to access the belvedere on the outer part of the volcano. You are guaranteed a spectacular view all along the route as it crosses the Plaine des Sables, a lunar setting in ocher, gray and black colors.
The more athletic can choose to go down to the enclosure, the natural basin around the volcano. You will thus walk on ... solidified lava and reach the crater rim in three hours. An impressive point of arrival since the crater is 900 meters wide and 350 meters deep. It is also possible to fly over the volcano by plane, microlight or helicopter to enjoy a unique and breathtaking view of the Piton de la Fournaise.
The cirque of Mafate: the essential hike
There are many hiking trails in Reunion, but if we had to remember only one, it would be that of the Mafate cirque, an extinct volcanic crater. This immense basin happens to be bordered by peaks and mountain walls. No road or track allows entry with a vehicle into the circus. It is accessed and moved there only on foot. The circus of Mafate is also inhabited. It is made up of small hamlets and small islets in which a few inhabitants live. We move from hamlets to hamlets on foot, following marked trails.
© RICHARD BOUHET / AFP
Hiking in the circus of Mafate will take you into a world apart. You will certainly experience incredible sensations in front of this very rugged and wild relief, made up of peaks, rivers and ravines. It is possible to take several routes. We therefore advise you to devote three days to it, spending the night in a refuge. Take the opportunity to taste a good traditional sausage rougail and to chat with the Mafatais. And if you don't want to hike, you can always fly over the Mafate Circus by helicopter.
Tamil festivals: traditional ceremonies not to be missed
Réunion is a melting pot. It is endowed with very diverse cultural influences and a large community of Indian origin. Visitors can witness traditional Tamil ceremonies around Tamil temples, especially in towns on the east coast, including Saint Andrew. Among these Tamil ceremonies, which take place on varying dates between December and February, is Teemeedee, which means walking on fire, during which the faithful walk on glowing embers.
© RICHARD BOUHET / AFP
During the Cavadee ceremony, penitents pierce their tongues and cheeks with silver needles and goats are sacrificed. During Dipavali, the festival of Light, believers move in a night procession with hundreds of candles.
Discover paragliding
If you are looking to practice other activities than hiking, you can discover paragliding in Saint-Leu. The aerological conditions are ideal almost all year round. You can choose different spots, a school slope at an altitude of 800 meters, another at 1,500 meters. In tandem with an instructor, you will be able to fly over the sides of the mountain and the ocean before landing on the beach.
Immerse yourself in the culture of sugar cane
In Reunion Island, sugar cane has reigned supreme for centuries. A sugar past still very present in the memories and which forged generations of Reunionese. Two distilleries, in which rum and sugar are made, are still in operation ... and they can be visited! If you want to discover the world of a rum factory, go to the Savanna distillery in Saint-André. An impressive industrial vessel made of gangways, tubing and gears.