LA REUNION (long itinerary 10 nights for families)

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.

Saint-Leu stretches along the western coast of Réunion, between the blue waters of the lagoon and the green slopes of Piton Saint-Leu. The town is renowned as one of the island's most exciting surfing destinations, thanks to the reef breaks off the coral barrier that generate excellent waves, particularly during the austral winter season. The historic centre retains some fine Creole colonial architecture, including the 19th-century church of Notre-Dame de la Salette, a place of pilgrimage for local Catholics. Uphill from the town are Kelonia, a sea turtle research and protection centre, and the Stella Matutina, a museum dedicated to the history of sugar and the island itself. Saint-Leu makes a pleasant and relaxed base for exploring Réunion's western coast.

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.