The 16 things to do in Saint Paul

Are you coming to La Réunion? Direction the north of the island in one of the most emblematic cities with our selection of incontours to visit in Saint-Paul.

Visiting Saint Paul is discovering the cradle of La Réunion and the second largest city of the island after Saint-Denis .

In the city of art and history, it bears in it the heritage of Intense Island and the testimonies of the past. The town houses the most beautiful landscapes of Intense Island between the primary forest, savannah and the largest lagoon on the island. You will not have time to be bored in Saint Paul.

To help you in your journey, Wanderlix has selected for you the essentials to visit in Saint-Paul de la Réunion.

1. Downtown

To visit Saint-Paul, the city centre deserves a look at its many small streets that converge towards the seafront.

Travellers cross the road to the resort in the commercial arteries. Indeed, you will find various well-known shops of all in metropolis and others in the colours of La Réunion with local products. During your visit to Saint-Paul, don’t miss to observe the Creole buildings and especially the city hall.

2. The Forain Market

After your stop in the city centre, go to the seafront to visit Saint-Paul. Here is the forain market the Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday morning . So pray these two days to visit the commune to make a stone two strokes. More than 300 merchants gather in the largest market on the island of Réunion.

Walk among the stalls of exotic fruits, vegetables, coloured flowers and scented spices. The singing accent of the Reunions invites you to stop at each stand to discover their incredible gastronomic culture. You will also find handicrafts, clothes and jewelry to bring back as a souvenir of your vacation in the Indian Ocean.

Many stands even offer you to taste the Creole specialties such as the sweet potato cake or the gratined cork bread. You will soon have the water in your mouth!

3. The marine cemetery

Among the places to visit Saint Paul, there is the marine cemetery dating from 1788. It is located opposite the ocean on the bay of Saint Paul towards Saint-Gilles. It is one of the ancient cemeteries of the island and the most unusual to visit.

The anonymous pirates, the shipwrecks and the rich reunion families are peacefully associated with this place in charge of History. Have fun finding the graves of famous characters such as the pirate La Buse, or the poets Eugène Dayot and Leconte de Lisle. Palms and colored flowers keep the memory of the ancestors, far from the classical cemeteries. You can couple this visit to Saint-Paul with the cave of the first French who is located in front of the road.

4. The savannah of Saint Paul

The island of Reunion has several faces and the savannah of Saint Paul illustrates it perfectly. Always in the direction of Saint-Gilles les Bains, it runs along the coast for several kilometers. Yellow color like straw, vegetation has a green shade during the rainy season.

If you like hiking, we recommend the 8 km long Savane loop. For walking enthusiasts, extend the walk with the large Savane loop and its 10.4 km.

However, equip yourself with a GPS or a IGN card, as the trail does not let any tags see. In addition, you will not find any shaded corners during your hike. So, cover with sun cream, a hat and don’t forget the bottle of water to moisturize you.

5. The course of the Houssaye

In the foothills of the savannah, on the roadside, the cap de la Houssaye is one of the most beautiful views of the island. You will find a few points to stop, but be careful, the corner is very busy. This piece of land owes its name to Captain Breton Guillaume de la Houssaye.

The fishermen on the line are close to the beginner and confirmed fried divers of this natural site. Indeed, the coral reef houses a dense underwater life consisting of coral fishes, catfish, turtles and juvenile benches. In fact, two wrecks rest for eternity in the bottom of the Indian Ocean: the Barge and the Sea Venture.

In addition, in southern winter (May to October) the humpback whales and their little ones greet the luckiest of you. A wonderful show not to be missed under any pretext.

One of the best moments of the day is by far the sunset. The sky of a limpid blue is embracing under your eyes so beautiful.

6. The Museum of Villèle

The Musée de Villèle is a must-see in Saint Paul. It deploys on a 10-hectare estate on the heights of the commune. This former colonial home belonged to two rich reunion families: Panon Desbassayns and Villèle. If this name tells you something, it is because they rest in the above mentioned marine cemetery.

The first museum of La Réunion, this vast territory has been a historic monument in its entirety since 12 December 2019. It consists of six architectural elements: a traditional Creole cuisine, a shingle pavilion, a domestic chapel, a sugar factory and a hospital for slaves. These different elements remind you of the darker times of slavery.

You can visit several components of this domain freely and book a guided tour. Discover the story behind the ground floor, the main residence, the floor and the Chapel Pointue .

The beaches of Saint-Paul

7. La Baie de Saint-Paul

Saint-Paul Bay is the ideal spot for walking, but unfortunately it remains forbidden to swim. Indeed, sharks, hidden by powerful waves, do not allow swimmers to enjoy the water.

However on this black sandy beach a landing site offers a panoramic view of the entire bay. Here too, the sunset illuminates the end of the day. If this bay could speak, she would tell you the story of her attack by the British in 1809.

8. The beach of Hermitage

Between Saint-Gilles the Bains and the Saline, the beach of Hermitage (or Hermitage) extends over several kilometers of fine sand. The holidaymakers swim peacefully in a turquoise and shallow lagoon. The natural coral barrier invites you to discover its marine fauna and flora with a mask and a tuba.

The turquoise waters of the La Réunion marine reserve resemble a true paradise under the tropics. Meeting families gather on the weekend around a picnic under the filaos of this very popular beach. You will also find what to eat between ice merchants and walking snacks.

9. Boucan Canot Beach

Boucan Canot Beach offers a slightly deeper swimming area to holidaymakers than the lagoon. Its turquoise blue waters are therefore privileged to make snorkeling among the corals and many exotic fish in the area.

On the right of the beach, a natural swimming pool formed by volcanic black rocks allows children to swim peacefully. In fact, lifeguards monitor the bath area every day.

A pedestrian esplanade overlooking the beach of Boucan Canot. Walk in front of a blue cameo between the sea and the sky. Many restaurants in front of the ocean offer to eat on the thumb or drink a drink. For sunset lovers, it’s still a spot to note on your list. Photographers give their hearts joy as soon as the sun begins its ultimate decline.

10. Saint-Gilles les Bains

Saint-Gilles les Bains represents the tourist capital of the island of Réunion between Boucan Canot and the Hermitage. Moreover, a large part of the hotel complex elects home in this commune. We can understand them, this seaside resort has the most beautiful beaches on the island.

Lined by the Indian Ocean, it also offers many nautical activities between catamaran excursions, boat rides, scuba diving or safaris with dolphins. In addition, you have a mild weather all year round during the summer and winter of the year.

For small (and large) fish, observe the 700 fish and 200 species of reef life at the Saint-Gilles-les-Bains aquarium.

If you prefer green nature on the beach, visit Eden’s garden and its 700 tropical plant species.

11. Distillerie La Part des Anges

You don't know what to visit in Saint Paul? Let yourself be tempted by a rum distillery and especially that of the Part of the Angels. This family-run company is the first legal tropical fruit distillery in Europe. It deserves to make a small detour in your program to make a tasting.

During the visit, they will explain the stages of rum production: fruit processing, fermentation and distillation. You will discover their range of Sublim life water, agricultural rum, liqueurs and mistelles. The distillery only goes through on reservation Monday to Friday except Wednesday.

12. The paved path Lougnon

Le chemin pavé Lougnon ou de Bellemène connects Saint-Paul to Bellemène, 200 meters higher, since 1720. It is even among the most beautiful trails of the island in front of the English path and the Crémont road for many holidaymakers.

Very well rehabilitated, this large and well-maintained central band offers a striking panorama of the Indian Ocean from Cape La Houssaye to the port. Despite a steep slope, this hike is suitable for all levels of walking from beginners to the most seasoned. Make this walk rather in the morning outside the heat peaks of the day even if some tamarins give shade points.

13. The Tower of the Rocks

Not far from the city centre of Saint-Paul, the Tour des Roches represents a beautiful biking or walking ride in lush vegetation. Multiple plant species such as papyrus, palm trees and bamboo grow in this semi-marecageous area.

During your trip, make a refreshing stop at the watermill, a real emblem of the Tour des Roches. It dates from 1820 and produced energy for the cassava mill. Water is vivifiant, but represents a true salvation when the sun reaches its zenith. Several walks take their starting point on this site such as that of Vital (approx. 1:15 round trip) or the one from Long .

14. The pond of Saint Paul

Near the Roches Tower, the pond is one of the things to visit in Saint Paul during your meeting trip. It consists of an exceptional fauna and flora that has earned it its national reserve ranking since 2008. This recognition has been added to the wet zone label of international importance since 20 August 2019.

In this green setting, the animals live quietly, so the delivery is simple, you must avoid disturbing them. Indeed, this site, the best preserved of the Mascareignes Archipelago, is threatened and therefore very monitored. More 40 plant species interesting reveal among the 26 bird species and 230 species of insects . That makes it a world at km2.

The calm of the pond slices with the unbridled hustle of the coast. The family walk is legion and the picnic breaks. The fishermen dip their line in the quiet water of the lake while canoes-kayaks split the water at the mouth of the coast.

15. The piton Maido

Delay beaches and coconut trees to plunge into an intense forest where green and brown dominate at 2000 m altitude. The island of Réunion remains above all a volcanic territory with impressive circus. The Maido stands out as the balcony of La Réunion with its viewpoint 2190 metres altitude. You will embrace a breathtaking view on the Mafate circus and the west coast of the island.

Accessible by car, it is one of the most visited tourist sites in La Réunion. Given the landscape that awaits you, you will quickly understand why. The most courageous will go to the conquest of the piton Maido on foot during a sporting hike.

Moreover, for an even more exceptional experience, sleep a night nearby to observe the sunrise on the Mafate circus from Maido. The piton is also one of the entrance gates of various hikes to the Mafate circus, the Glacier or Grand Bénare .

What to visit around Saint-Paul

• ULM flight : experience an incredible experience from the heavens of La Réunion. The landscape is breathtaking;
• The Hindu temple of Shiva Soupramanien in Piton-Saint-Leu: the oldest Tamil temple on the island built in 1880. It is dedicated to the Muruga God, the son of Shiva;
• The city of Saint-Denis : economic centre of the Meeting, Saint-Denis has a unique culture and heritage in its centre.

How to get to Saint Paul?

By plane

To reach the island of Réunion, the aircraft remains the best means of transport. Many companies offer direct links from Paris, Lyon or Marseille to theRoland Garros airport Saint-Denis. Find a ticket at the best price with a comparison of flights like Skyscanner.

By car

Rent a car to join and visit Saint-Paul, located in 40 km Saint-Denis Airport. You will find a large rental offer with international or local agencies according to your needs and budget. Once you get your car, get it back N1 along the coast to your destination.

• Rent a car to explore Saint-Paul

By bus

The public transport service is very good for the city of Saint Paul. From Saint-Denis, count about 1 hour journey with the yellow car (regional bus network). Small anecdote to get off the bus, you can press the button or type in your hands as the ancestral method of the island. Buy tickets in one of the three tourist information offices.

Where to stay in Saint Paul?

If you like seaside resorts, the ideal is to put your suitcases to Saint-Gilles les Bains in the heart of the city’s growing. You will stay close to the beaches of Boucan Canot and Ermitage. Many hotel complexes offer rooms for the duration of your stay. In addition, it is a good starting point to visit the rest of the island. The offer of accommodation on Saint-Gilles les Bains is wide and meets all budgets and desires.

To find shoe on your foot, see Airbnb or use a Compare hotels