Nature holidays on Reunion Island: 7 experiences in discovery of agritourism Holidays on Reunion Island: 7 nature activities to introduce you to agritourism

When Reunionese nature’s breathtaking landscapes meet with the knowhow of age-old cultivation practices, agritourism is never far away. The term may not mean much to you, but you surely must have dreamt of such colourfully exotic activities as unlocking the coconut’s secrets, learning how tea is cultivated and discovering the natural birthplace of Bourbon vanilla… Ready to get some dirt under your fingernails ? Then discover our 7 activities designed to provide you with a gentle introduction to agricultural tourism during your holiday on Reunion Island.

1. Unlock the coconut’s secrets

So you’re preparing your nature vacation on Reunion Island and you’ve ticked the “real change of scenery” option ? Then getting to know coconuts and their resolutely exotic look absolutely must be on your holiday’s programme. The coconut is a bit like mainland France’s apple: a “Swiss knife” of Reunionese craftsmanship and gastronomy that continues to delight the taste buds.

Interested in unlocking its thousand and one secrets ? On your own or with your family, go and meet Mireille and Didier on their farm in Pointe-des-Châteaux, set in the heart of Saint-Leu’s peaceful landscapes in the west of Reunion Island. Get ready to braid its leaves, crack open its shell, grate its flesh and drink its water (nice and cold !), with plenty of other surprises in store during these fascinating activities. Not counting the final tasting session with all its “mmms” and yum-yums” !

Pour an outing in nature-holiday mode

When it comes to nature holidays, there’s no better combo than beaches and coconuts Make the utmost of your stay near Saint-Leu and enjoy the idle life on the beach and in its lagoon 10 minutes from the farm.

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2. Get to know a family of farmers

The farmers of the day are Julie the Yab and Varanda the Malbar, who welcome you to their farm in Grand Tampon for an excursion taking you to the heart of their typically Reunionese family agricultural estate.

First stage in your activity: a delicious breakfast including risofé (heated rice), organic jams and galabé, Reunion Island’s delicious unrefined whole cane sugar. Second stage: discovery of the farm while gathering the Reunionese terroir’s produce for lunch. Third stage: a convivial meal and maloya* over coffee! An ideal experience to enjoy as a family.

For an outing in nature-holiday mode :

A little detour to Grand Bassin! Opt for a hike in this mini-cirque, nicknamed “Little Mafate” and surrounded by imposing “ramparts” (steep rock walls). When you arrive in the village, don’t miss out on a refreshing dip in the pool or a visit to the Voile de la Mariée waterfall. So many unforgettable landscapes not to be missed out on during your stay.

*maloya = a Reunion Island traditional musical genre inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List since 2009.

3. Learn how tea is cultivated

So you like taking your time during your holidays? In agricultural tourism, it’s all a question of infusion. Soak in the magic in the heights of Saint-Joseph before setting off to meet Johny and Emmanuelle, owners of France’s biggest organic tea production farm. The site’s most distinctive feature: the Labyrinthe En-Champ-Thé maze and its visitors’ discovery of giant tea trees, fruit of a long tradition on the island. With a bit of luck, the typical Highland mists will waft their way in to cast a spell on your activities. Love at first sight!

After making your way through the maze, it’s time to give your senses a treat with a visit to the old-world garden and its scented geraniums. Impossible to leave without paying a visit to the site’s gourmet hut to sample products of Reunion Island’s terroir: tea jelly or syrup – it’s your choice!

4. Discover Reunionese gastronomy, from picking to plate

Tradition makes sense when you’re holidaying on Reunion Island! And Philippe, a farmer and chef in the heights of Saint-Anne, certainly won’t contradict us on that point! So off you go to the east of the ultimate island, where the alliance between nature and cultivation is at its most vibrant. Philippe will be there to welcome you to his farm for a wood-fire culinary workshop redolent of the tan lontan. The tan lontan? “It’s the bygone era, the days of a gentler art of living”, your host will explain between two tasting sessions. A heartfelt philosophy to be savoured every day, just like the delicious traditional Reunionese meal you’re about to enjoy. As for the sweet touch, it comes from the site’s beehives. Observe, harvest, eat!

For an outing in nature-holiday mode

Now, while the crops continue to grow in the fields, it’s time for a spot of hiking. Treat yourself to a nature break not far from there and pay a visit to the very impressive Niagara Waterfall. Picnic tables are also available for a small fee up front!

5. Draw inspiration from spirulina

Whether you’re a seasoned sportsperson, an enlightened gourmet or simply curious, there are plenty of good reasons to get to know all about spirulina during a stay on Reunion Island. The first one ? Adding a touch of the unusual to your holidays by going to meet the ever cheerful Catherine in the heights of Sainte-Marie, in the north of the ultimate island. Welcome to her world: the Run Spirit aquafarm. The second ? Unravelling the secrets of these blue freshwater algae that continue to fascinate the scientific world. Phenomenal origins (they appeared more than 3 billion years ago), remarkable nutritional properties and subtle taste: there’s plenty to marvel at when it comes to this gastronomic UFO. The third reason? Eating them !

Did you know ? The WHO has classified spirulina as “the best food for humanity in 197: enough to give your nature holiday on the ultimate island a real boost!

6. Take the road to aromas

In order to acquaint yourself with another face of agricultural tourism during your holiday, head for Johan’s Fontaine Aromatique, a traditional 100% Reunion Island essential oils distillery! Your outing takes you along a gently curving road through landscapes that provide you with spectacular views over Saint-Leu Bay.

Once you’re there, help start up an old still Johan has restored and experience the magic of essential oil distillation live. But before you do, you’ll have to gather the day’s aromatic plant in the heart of the site’s huge garden. Your worthy nature activities will be rewarded (as they deserve) by crêpes flavoured with Bourbon geranium essential oil.

7. Trace the origins of vanilla

Welcome to the Vanilla-Bourbon plantation, your guide Maryse’s laboratory and playground just a stone’s throw from Sainte-Rose in the east of the island. She’ll spend two hours sharing her passion for that queen of flavours, Bourbon vanilla, with you, including discovery in one of the ultimate island’s primary forest – a life-size biology class – and a stroll with Léo and Léa, her two faithful tec-tecs*.

For an outing in nature-holiday made

Did you know ? Maryse’s vanilla bears the Esprit Parc National (National Park Spirit) brand. The forest where she grows her wares extends along the slopes of the volcano and is home to a wealth of local biodiversity. Hence, the Esprit Parc National brand helps promote products and knowhow connected with Reunion Island National Park’s practices and landscapes.

*Tec-tec is the islanders’ name for a species of stonechat, a little bird endemic to Reunion Island.

*Les tec-tec sont des petits oiseaux forestiers endémiques de La Réunion.