Art and fresh water

on the western Museums and Gardens Route

The West

There’s no need to look for art: you’ll find it everywhere along the paths of the west, Réunion’s land of light. In the aisles of museums brimming with history, of course – but also (and above all) in Réunion’s art of living, a gentle blend of escapism and idleness, bright gardens and sunny beaches. As for fresh water, it’s never far away!

With beaches or lagoons, the West has a way of keeping things cool and light.

The Museums and Gardens Route itinerary

In the west of Réunion

Western Réunion

a bubble of oxygen

Did your first trip to the north leave you dreaming? Extend the experience by exploring the wonders of western Réunion. The sea? An incredibly pure turquoise infinity, peppered with fine sandy beaches and punctuated by golden sunsets and lively evenings.

Nature? It permeates the lands of the west, a region committed to protecting the animal and plant species of Réunion. From precious reptiles to endemic birds and bewitchingly colourful butterflies, your road trip is also an opportunity to appreciate the wildlife of this region of our intense island.

Culture here is warm and passionate, driven by a desire to share and pass on. Make the most of your tour to immerse yourself in Réunionese culture right down to its roots, from the island’s settlement to the days of ‘engagisme’ (slavery), thanks to the many regional and departmental museums. This is an essential opportunity to rediscover the history of Réunion’s mixed-race heritage, its origins and its essential role right up to the present day.

DID YOU KNOW?

The west of Réunion is home to the island’s Marine Nature Reserve, a 35 km² sanctuary dedicated to preserving the island’s aquatic fauna and flora. Want to find out more? Don’t miss the underwater trail at the Hermitage of Saint-Paul – a guided tour of the lagoon equipped with fins, mask and snorkel.

Discover La Réserve Naturelle Marine

In the footsteps of Reunion's Creole history

The first stop on your Reunion Island road trip is the former Lazaret de la Grande Chaloupe, a crossroads between the north and west of our island. In the 19th century, a lazaret was an establishment where travellers likely to be carrying contagious diseases were tested and isolated. This is an essential part of your trip to gain a better understanding of the island’s mixed-race heritage.

Our top tip : the Lazaret offers two tours in one, both free of charge.

Second stop : head for the coastal road to reach the Musée of Villèle History of housing and slavery in Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts. More than just a museum, this former colonial residence nestled in its lush garden is a living testimony to the lives of black people and slavery on the island of Réunion. Let us guide you through the story of an era and discover the fate of the legendary Madame Desbassyns, a famous and controversial figure on Réunion.

Museum of Villèle

A taster of paradise

Look up: from Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts, the Jardin d’Eden can be seen in the distance! No forbidden fruit here, but an English-style design and over 300 species of exotic plants forming an astonishing landscape garden.

A taster of paradise? All you have to do is stroll through the alleys, with their romantic atmosphere, to be convinced. Whether aquatic (water lily), aphrodisiac (ylang-ylang) or sacred (Ruizia cordata), each plant has its own history and charm. And if you’ve been inspired by their perfumes, a declaration of love by the lovers’ fountain will be just the thing!

Did you know ?

The Jardin d’Eden website offers an online botanical guide to help you familiarise yourself with the different plants on site. On your cards, get set, revise …

Nature still has plenty to show you in the west of Réunion.

Continue towards Saint-Leu, heading for Mascarin, Réunion’s botanical garden. On site, your guide for the day will give you an overview of the island’s rich plant life through a number of collections, from the seashore to the mountaintops. Observe the varieties of endemic plants from Réunion, admire the unusual jade vines, let the cacti pique your curiosity and fall under the spell of its new rose garden. You’ll discover everything there is to know …

One gem, two labels ! The Mascarin, Réunion’s botanical garden, has been awarded the ‘Jardin Remarquable’ (Remarkable Garden) and ‘Jardin botanique de France et des pays francophones’ (Botanical Garden of France and Francophone Countries) labels.

Beyond its beauty, this tour highlights the fragility of an entire ecosystem. You’ll feel the same commitment to conservation at Kélonia, the sea-turtle observation and care centre in Saint-Leu, just a stone’s throw from Mascarin, Réunion’s botanical garden. Welcome to the turtle kingdom ! Here, young and old explorers alike will be able to understand (and admire) this strange species, all for a good cause.

Kélonia

Sea Turtle Observatory in Reunion Island

A history shaped by sugar and salt

Of course, there’s no other way to end your conquest of the West without a touch of sweet and savoury. For a sweet treat, head to the Stella Matutina Museum, where you’ll be told the story of cane sugar, inextricably linked with the history of the people of Réunion.

Climb upstairs to catch a glimpse of the coastline of Saint-Leu and your last stop: the Salt Museum. To reach it, treat yourself to one last bath in nature by setting off along a pleasant path near Stella Matutina. There, you can watch the sky metamorphose at sunset, tinted with subtle shades to awaken all your senses.

Our top tip: Workshops are held regularly at the Salt Museum and the Stella Museum, which also organises shows. Check out the calendar section so you don’t miss a thing.

Cultivate your curiosity !

Wood and nuts

Take a detour to Ô Jardin de Paulo, an experimental space at the gateway to the Étang Saint-Paul National Nature Reserve. Created by enthusiasts, the site welcomes you for a tour of the garden, as well as to try your hand at various eco-responsible workshops, including pebble painting and traditional fibre weaving. And if anyone mentions Polynesian soap and shampoo to you, don’t get your brush out just yet! These are simply plant species.

Finally, visit La Maison du Coco in Saint-Leu to learn how to get the most out of the famous coconut. Leaves, coconut water, pulp: nothing is lost, everything is transformed! Coconuts, of course, and a host of other discoveries await: orchards, native plants and even an educational farm – everything you need to have a great time.

Heritage on show

A visit to the Villa Rivière in Saint-Paul is a must. Nestled in a lush green setting, this jewel of Réunion’s Creole heritage takes you back to the days of the French East India Company. Admire its neoclassical architecture, stroll among 18th-century tapestries and exceptional furniture, and soak up the soul of an era. More than just a tourist site, this is a lively and inspiring exhibition space.

Our tip: discover Villa Rivière by night, an incredible experience by torchlight

Finally, art lovers won’t want to miss the Regional Contemporary Art Collection (FRAC) in Saint-Leu, the only one of its kind within the French overseas departments and territories. Photographs, paintings, sculptures and installations are just some of the many works of arts presented, reflecting the creativity of a profoundly plural culture. Don’t miss its garden, a veritable work of plant life in its own right. The site is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside – a great experience guaranteed!

Extend the fun with 100% Réunion experiences

Can’t get enough of coconut ? At the Maison du Coco farm in Saint-Leu, the Secrets of Coconut experience leads you on a sensory journey. You’re going to love it! Discover how to prepare essential oils with Johan at La Fontaine Aromatique. From perfume plants to medicinal plants, you’ll understand the great wealth of Réunion’s gardens.

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The secrets of the coconut

From the garden to the still

Continue on the route !

The adventure continues around the island

A history of fire and flame: on the southern Museums and Gardens Route

An trip into volcanic territory: on the eastern Museums and Gardens Route

An experience between culture and nature: on the northern Museums and Gardens Route