Kélonia

The establishment presents a shop showcasing local crafts and offering a unique selection of sea turtle-related items as well as 'eco-citizen' products based on four themes:
-Nature, for products made from natural materials
-Austral, for products manufactured on Réunion or in the region
-Citizens, for products that help fund research and conservation initiatives
-Unique, for those sold exclusively at Kélonia.
Your tour of these facilities will explore several spaces:
Discovery: visitors reach the site by crossing a beach to discover the different habitats and learn more about these marine reptiles.
-Confrontation: the second area explains the close and varied links that have been forged over the ages and wherever sea turtles are present.
-The future: this last area of the museum trail encourages visitors to reflect on the need and difficulty of reconciling the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats.
During your tour, you'll have the chance to take part in various workshops:
-The living workshop: discover the skills involved in working with turtle shells, the jewel in the crown of island arts and crafts that Région Réunion is keen to promote.
-The video room: a varied programme of films and documentaries shown every day in the 40-seat screening room.
-Outdoor areas: a garden recreating the island's native coastal vegetation. An esplanade built on top of an old lime kiln offers a panoramic view of the lagoon and the bay of Saint-Leu.
-Scientific areas: viewpoints along the museum trail allow visitors to learn more about Kélonia's scientific programmes (care centre, cooperation with other teams in the region or in Europe).
Practical information:
-Open Monday to Sunday, 09:00 to 18:00. Ticket office closes at 17:00.
-The site is accessible to all disabled visitors thanks to access ramps, adapted toilets, car parks and a lift. For safety reasons, only the old lime kiln (used as a viewpoint) is not accessible to persons with reduced mobility.
-Food and drink: Kélonia's forecourt offers a juice kiosk open every day from 10:00 to 17:30 and on Mondays from 13:00 to 17:30.
-Services:
•The documentation centre is open to schoolchildren, students, researchers and professionals on request.
•Room hire: classroom, practical room and screening room.
Please note:
-Daily guided tours (at no extra charge) are offered at 10:00, 11:30, 14:00 and 16:00. Free admission from 09:00 to 18:00.
-Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 November and 25 December.
Highlights:
The virtual tour
the different tour spaces
the care centre
educational tours and resources
the fruit-juice kiosk

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