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The 17 things to do in Saint Denis

Are you going to conquer the intense island? Discover here the list of best things to do in Saint-Denis, Head of the Meeting!

The city of Saint-Denis has nearly 150,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in the DROM-COM. Located on the northern coast of the island, it brings together nearly one third of the historical monuments of La Meeting . A good reason to put his suitcases there to immerse himself in the culture of the island! Museums, parks, hiking and religious buildings guarantee a varied and well-filled stay. To help you prepare your holidays, we have set up for you the selection of the essentials to make in Saint-Denis.

Parks and monuments

1. Rue de Paris

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zourite

Rue de Paris allows you to connect two must-sees to Saint-Denis: the Jardin de l’État and the Barachois. Sinking among the main arteries of the city, Rue de Paris contains numerous Creole boxes of the nineteenth century.

These colorful houses are mostly a historical interest. Among the most beautiful to discover: the house Carrère, which houses the tourist office, the house Déramond and the Villa du Département.

2. Barachois

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zourite

The Barachois is a space located on the seafront of Saint-Denis, ideal for a family trip. On this ancient port, one wanders among the remains of canons and the buildings of the Compagnie des Indes.

Children’s playgrounds are set up there, and foodtrucks regularly settle there. The opportunity to taste the famous corkscrew breads, samoussas and other candy peppers accompanied by a Dodo beer!

3. State garden

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Photo credit: Flickr – *SHERWOOD*

Created in 1767, the Jardin de l’État is located in the heart of Saint-Denis and offers great opportunities for walks in a pleasant and shaded setting. It was founded in the 1760s as a garden of acclimatization and naturalization of foreign plants brought back to Bourbon Island.

A true botanical garden, you can admire more than 3,000 species of exotic plants, including the rare Badamiers and Tallipots palm trees (only 50 specimens listed on the island). The place often hosts festive events, and it is also a traditional meeting for the Dionysians on Sunday at the end of the afternoon.

4. Trinity Park

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zourite

In the southeast of the city in the Montgaillard district, the Trinity Park opens its doors to nature lovers and green spaces. It offers a pleasant parenthesis during a day's visit to the must-sees in Saint-Denis.

It is attended by families who come to picnic and by walkers or athletes in the middle of a soccer session in a quiet setting. With a hill, it offers from its highest point beautiful views of the ocean and the roofs of the city.

5. Garden La Vallée Happy

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – poupine

On the heights of Saint-Denis, near the village of Brûlé, prepare yourself to discover a real Creole garden as there are only very few left. The owner offers a very interesting visit combining La Réunion history, Creole culture, and botanical.

During these 2 to 3 hours of presentation, you will discover different spaces such as the garden, the useful garden and the endemic garden. In addition to tropical plants and flowers, you will observe the birds and insects of La Réunion Island.

Religious buildings

6. Saint-Sauveur Cathedral

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – A. Karnholz

Saint-Sauveur is a Roman Catholic cathedral, located on the Avenue de la Victoire, in the continuation of Rue de Paris. It was erected in 1829 and 1832, consecrated cathedral in 1850 and classified as a historic monument in 1975.

You can attend the office every morning or simply impregnate yourself with the serenity of the place open all day to visitors. Don’t miss admiring the magnificent fountain dating from 1854 on the parvis in front of the cathedral.

7. Noor-e-Islam Mosque

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Photo credit: Wikimedia – Own work

Testimony of the cultural and religious diversity of La Réunion Island, the Noor-e-Islam Mosque is a must-see in Saint-Denis. Indian inspiration with its green and white background, it is the oldest mosque in France.

Built in 1905, it was rebuilt in 1974 after being struck by a fire. Among the most remarkable elements, the 32 metre minaret and claustras, adjourned marble screens that embellish the mezzanine.

8. Temple Kali Kampal

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Charles-Henry THOQUENNE

The Indian community is very present on the island of La Réunion, as the many Hindu temples that you will meet during your stay. One of the most beautiful and important is the Kali Kampal temple, a must-see in Saint-Denis.

It was built in 1917, under the impulse of the Indian merchants of the neighborhood. At the beginning simple clusters of sheet metals, it has been embellished over time to take its current form in 2012.

You will observe its magnificent statues and sculptures dedicated to the goddess Kali. Other scenes represent the gods Parvati, Ganesh or Shiva, intertwined in a multicolored setting typical of Indian architecture. Visits are organized by the guard, but don’t forget to remove your shoes before entering the building!

Museums

9. Natural History Museum

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zourite

Located in the heart of the State Garden, the Museum of Natural History occupies the premises of the Legislative Palace, which housed the Colonial Council. The building bears witness to the colonial architecture of the time and houses a rich collection of the past and current fauna of the Indian Ocean islands. On the first floor, discover the species that populated the Mascareignes Islands like the Dodo de Mauritius or the Bourbon Huppe.

10. True Fraternity Museum

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Photo credit: Wikimedia – Own work

Held by Catholic sisters, this museum retraces the history of Aimée Pignolet de Fresnes, founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary. This nun worked for fraternity between the different communities of the island, and remains of his work during the visit. Reconstructions represent the first printing of the island, the dress evolution of the nuns or the first cases in torchis.

11. Leon Dierx Museum

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Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Opened in 1912 by the General Council of La Réunion, the Musée Léon Dierx is dedicated to the modern art of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Enriched by the donations of Ambroise Vollard, an art merchant from the island, the collection includes numerous major works by Maurice Denis, Gustave Caillebote, Gauguin and Picasso.

Creole painters are also honoured, such as Adolphe Le Roy or Louis-Antoine Roussin. A unique place in the Indian Ocean not to be missed if you come to visit Saint-Denis!

12. Artothèque

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zourite

This space created by the General Council of La Réunion took an important part in the diffusion of Contemporary Art on the island. By constituting a collection of more than 2,000 pieces, to date, the Artothèque manages to highlight the contemporary creation of the Reunion but also national and international.

The Artothèque, among the best things to do in Saint-Denis, presents temporary exhibitions that change every two months. On the first floor, you will find the permanent collection with local contemporary paintings and sculptures.

Hiking nearby

13. Cascade Maniquet

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Photo credit: Flickr – Miwok

Here is a pleasant walk to make in Saint-Denis, beautiful introduction to the wild nature of La Réunion. Only 4 kilometers long, it is ideal to prepare gently for the mythical hikes of the island, towards the Piton de La Fournaise or Mafate.

From Saint-Denis, take the direction of Brûlé and La Roche Written. After you are parked, you will cross a forest of cryptomeria that will lead you to a beautiful swimming pool overlooking a waterfall.

14. Colorado Park, for children

The Colorado Park is easily accessible from Saint-Denis, on the heights of the city and the commune of the Mountain. It is a popular place for families who come to enjoy the quality infrastructure such as playgrounds in the middle of a green setting.

It is the starting point for many hiking or horseback excursions. A golf course is located very close to each member of the family!

15. Written rock

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Galdric Sibiude

Various hikes allow you to reach the written Roche, the highest peak of the north of the island with 2278 meters of altitude. The bravest will leave La Providence for 22 kilometers back, but it is also possible to start at Mamode Camp to reduce the journey.

During the walk, quite demanding, you will cross forests of tamarins, colored wood and calumets bamboo, endemic of La Réunion. Arrived at the top, you will enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Mafate and Salazie circus. Unquestionably one of the most beautiful views near Saint-Denis!

  • See the best hiking tours on the island of the Meeting

Other wonders

16. Large market

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dmitry Chulov

Also known as the Malagasy market, this space in the centre of Saint-Denis is home to numerous craft stands, local fruit stalls and vegetables and improvised cuisines offering meeting dishes.

To enter the big market is to immerse yourself immediately in the Creole culture, with its culinary, dress and artistic traditions. Beware, many products come from Madagascar, do not hesitate to question the sellers before choosing your memories to bring back!

17. Maison des Brasseries de Bourbon

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – mailsonpignata

Bourbon's Brasseries produce the Dodo beer, the most famous of the meeting drinks. You will also see the colourful inscription “La Dodo Lé La” on many facades of Saint-Denis, meaning that the establishment offers the famous beer on its map!

Your visit to the Brasserie starts at 10am or 2pm at the level of the shop where you welcome your guide. For 1H30 you will discover (almost) all the secrets of making the Dodo, through technical details or more fun anecdotes. Travellers appreciate the humor of the guide, which makes all the information pass through in the good mood. Cherry on the Dodo, the tour concludes with a tasting of the different brewed beers on site.

How to get to Saint-Denis?

By plane

Since Saint-Denis is located on the island of La Réunion, you will obviously have to take the plane to get there from metropolitan France or any other world destination. Roland-Garros Airport is the only gateway to the island for tourist flights. It is connected directly to Paris , Lyon and Marseille In metropolis. Other direct lines allow to fly from and to Madagascar , Mauritius , Mayotte , the Comoros, the South Africa , India , Thailand or even Seychelles .

To find a ticket at the best price, we advise you to use a flight comparison as Skyscanner . By entering your criteria, you will find the best offers according to your starting dates and locations. Once at the airport, you can reach downtown Saint-Denis in less than 15 minutes, thanks to a convenient and affordable bus network. Car rental agencies also provide you with a vehicle to reach Saint-Denis.

  • Rent a car to explore Saint-Denis

By car and bus

If you are already on the island, it is very simple to reach Saint-Denis. From the east and the cities of Saint-Benoît, Saint-André or Sainte-Rose, you will borrow the N2. From the West and the South, it is the N1, commonly known as the Route des Tamarins, that must be followed. By public transport, you can use the yellow buses, whose lines cover the entire island.

Where to stay in Saint-Denis?

To find accommodation that will allow you to easily reach all the must-sees to visit in Saint-Denis, prefer the neighbourhoods of the centre. The city centre is called the “golden square”. Its streets are arranged in a grid, where most shops and restaurants in the city are located.

Around Bellepierre, Montgaillard-Colline and La Source are good options for families looking for a little more calm for their stay.

Finally, Brittany dominates Saint-Denis and will allow you to easily reach the highs of the island, while offering beautiful views of the city and the ocean. In all cases, find one Airbnb or use a Compare hotels to find the rare pearl.

Joseph Taylor

Joseph Taylor

I'm Joseph Taylor, a passionate traveler forever captivated by the world's allure. Life's journey is my greatest inspiration, teeming with breathtaking moments, from summiting majestic peaks to immersing myself in diverse cultures. Every destination has a unique story, and I'm here to share those stories with you. Through my narratives, I aim to ignite your wanderlust, offering insights, tips, and the sheer joy of exploration. Let's embark on this extraordinary adventure together, unveiling the world's hidden treasures and creating lasting memories that define our shared wanderlust-filled lives.

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