A history of fire and flame

on the southern Museums and Gardens Route

The South

Culture and nature are never far apart on the island of Réunion ! The land of wild oceans awaits to tell you all about the mysterious ancestral stories that have shaped this unique territory. Here, age-old traditions and wild landscapes combine perfectly to create a striking contrast. Imagine coffee, sugar cane and spices against a backdrop of volcanic panoramas. Enough to set your next trip with us alight !

The Museum and Garden Route itinerary

in the South of Reunion

A museum bursting with coffee

Head for MADOI in Saint-Louis, the only museum of decorative arts in the Indian Ocean’s overseas territories! A real time capsule, untouched by the passing years, it’s the perfect spot outside of the city for a change of atmosphere. This former coffee estate, known as Maison Rouge, is reason enough to make a detour!
A touch of novelty
Please note: temporary exhibitions are renewed every two years! Various events are organised, in particular the MADOI Nocturnes. A guided tour, show and cocktail reception await!

From seed to espresso

Full-bodied, round, subtle, delicate: there’s a coffee for everyone at Domaine du Café Grillé in Saint-Pierre! Before the tasting, enjoy an informative walk to discover the coffee tree, of course, as well as a multitude of exotic plants with enchanting scents in the botanical garden, not forgetting the bamboo grove and the agricultural crops of yesteryear! Do you love orchids? Rest assured, there’s plenty for you too.

A treat for the taste buds

Awaken your senses with the flavours of Bourbon pointu, an exceptional, internationally renowned coffee produced on the island of Réunion! To be enjoyed at MADOI and Domaine du Café Grillé.

veil grâce aux saveurs du Bourbon pointu, un café d’exception et de renommée internationale produit à La Réunion ! À déguster au MADOI et au Domaine du Café Grillé.

An eruption of flavours

Cultivation, grinding, extraction, distillation: the Isautier family will be delighted to show you how this white elixir is created at the Saga du Rhum in Saint-Pierre! With its family history and craftsmanship, this tour will show you how the Isautier family have managed to bottle La Réunion … And even its volcanic nature.

The molten heart of Réunion

The intense island invites you to discover its fascinating geological history at the Cité du Volcan ! This next-generation museum plunges you into the mysteries of volcanoes – especially the Piton de la Fournaise – thanks to fun, interactive experiments. More than just a tour, it’s the promise of a real adventure, as each area reveals the power of the nature that has forged our Réunion.

An internationally recognised scientific and educational centre, the Cité du Volcan allows you to explore the life of a volcano, feel its raw energy and better understand the foundations of the so-called intense island. Get ready for a volcanic journey to set all your senses on fire!

The volcano in all its dimensions

Experience the heart of the volcano in the museum’s 4D cinema!

The City of the Volcano

Tourist, educational and scientific center

A spicy visit

To round off your trip in style, head for the Jardin des Parfums et des Épices, nestling in the heart of an 800-year-old lava flow, in the middle of the Mare Longue forest. This veritable treasure trove of a primary tropical forest is home to some of Réunion’s rarest endemic species!

Let yourself be enchanted by the aromas of allspice and clove as they guide you on this sensory journey, and savour every moment of a truly timeless moment. Enjoy a magical experience as scents become one with the landscapes !

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Jardin Des Parfums Et Des Epices
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Aurélie Tossem

To extend your discoveries in the south of Réunion

The south of Réunion is bursting with unsuspected treasures, and the Contemporary Art Centre (LAC) is the real diamond in the rough! This cultural masterpiece plunges you into a world where monumental sculptures and cabinets of curiosities come together in a bewildering and spectacular setting. Nestled in Saint-Pierre, this hidden spot is sure to amaze you.

Want to immerse yourself even further in Réunionese culture? The Vieux Domaine was made for you! This site, steeped in history, is home to a slave village and a maroon camp, silent witnesses to a bygone era. Here, the stories of slaves who lived by the seaside and on the mountaintops comes to life. And if history is your cup of tea, the Vieux Domaine also offers themed tours on the history of herbal teas !

To discover the secrets of natural fragrances, the Bourbon Essential-Oils Agricultural Cooperative (CAHEB) in Le Tampon invites you to an olfactory experience based around essential oils. Learn all about the distillation process and take a stroll through the garden, where geraniums and vetivers flourish. The CAHEB even offers a perfume-creation workshop where you can make your own!

Would you like to get to know the world’s palm trees? Head for the Parc des Palmiers! A pleasant walk awaits you in a setting perfect for moments shared with family.

And that’s not all: in the heights of Saint-Joseph, you’ll discover two unusual sites at Grand Coude. First up, the Labyrinthe En Champ Thé plunges you into a tea forest where, thanks to a guided tour, you can discover all the stages of its processing, from tree to cup. Just two minutes away, on the Chemin des Sauterelles, the Jardin des Bestioles invites you to set off on a hunt for creatures sculpted from recycled materials in a site bursting with surprises.

Get ready for a memorable adventure in the heart of nature!