LA REUNION (Itinerary 7 nights - second version)

Saint-Denis is the capital and largest city of Réunion, situated on the island's northern coast at the foot of the mountain ranges. The historic centre preserves elegant Creole colonial architecture: mansions with wrought-iron verandas, the Cathédrale Saint-Denis and the Barachois shopping streets alternate with markets where the scents of vanilla, turmeric and cinnamon mingle with daily life. The city is the island's main gateway and the ideal starting point for exploring both the coastline and the mountainous interior of Réunion.

Salazie occupies its namesake cirque, a vast green amphitheatre on the north-eastern side of Réunion, more humid and lush than the cirques of the south. The perpetually cool air and dense tropical vegetation — giant ferns, bamboo, wild orchids — frame a landscape punctuated by impressive waterfalls, the most famous of which is the Voile de la Mariée (Bridal Veil), visible from the main road. The village of Hell-Bourg, inside the cirque, is considered one of Réunion's most beautiful villages and preserves exquisite Creole wooden houses with richly decorated verandas. Salazie is an outstanding destination for hikers and nature lovers, with trails leading to panoramic viewpoints over the rock walls and up to the high plateaus towards Piton des Neiges.

Saint-Pierre is the main city of southern Réunion, the de facto capital of the island's southern side, with an active port, a lively historic market and a central black-sand beach. Urban life is animated: cafés and Creole restaurants line the seafront promenade, while the covered Saturday morning market is one of the island's most authentic gatherings to taste local produce. The city is a practical base for heading up to La Plaine des Cafres and Piton de la Fournaise, as well as for enjoying the sunny climate of the leeward coast. Saint-Pierre retains a lively, genuine character, far removed from a purely tourist atmosphere.

Cilaos sits at the foot of its namesake cirque, a volcanic mountain amphitheatre reached by a winding road that climbs from the coastal valleys to nearly 1,200 metres above sea level. The village, enclosed by rock walls rising up to 2,000 metres, is known for its sulphurous thermal springs, the vineyards that produce the rare Cilaos wine, and the fine lacework that local women have passed down from generation to generation. The cirque is also the starting point for some of the island's most challenging hikes, including the ascent of Piton des Neiges — at 3,070 metres the highest peak in all of French overseas territory — and the trails linking the three cirques across scenic mountain passes. Cilaos is an ideal destination for those who wish to combine mountain relaxation with adventure in Réunion's wild landscapes.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is Réunion's main beach resort, set on a lagoon sheltered by a coral reef along the island's western coast. Its turquoise, calm waters — perfect for swimming and water sports — and the Ermitage beach, one of the island's most popular, attract thousands of visitors every year in search of sun and sea. The seafront promenade is lined with Creole restaurants, bars and boutiques, while the harbour is the departure point for boat trips, scuba diving, and whale and dolphin watching. Saint-Gilles is also a convenient base for exploring the Réunion marine nature reserve, which protects the island's coral reefs. In the evening, life gathers around the Plage des Roches Noires area, where sunset light turns the volcanic rocks a deep orange.