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Saint-Pierre

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Réunion

Saint-Pierre - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Réunion
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Standing on the edge of the Indian Ocean, on the south-west coast of Réunion, the lovely Town of Art and History of Saint-Pierre invites all lovers of built heritage to come and admire its architectural treasures. In the historic centre there are still some delightful Creole villas full of period charm, like the house of the Motais de Narbonne, erected in the 1820s, and that of Adam de Villiers, built in the 1760s. When it comes to religious architecture, there are some beautiful buildings such as the Church of St Peter and St Paul from the 18th century, the Attâyab-ul-Massâdid mosque with its minaret 42 metres high, the Guan Di Chinese temple dating from the early 20th century, and Narasinga Péroumal Tamil temple. These four different places of worship are a wonderful example of the harmonious blend of cultures in the island's population…

Before heading for the seafront, you can also pay a visit to the charming Place de la Mairie, to admire its pretty fountain and the elegant city hall set in an old building that belonged to the French East India Compmany. Alternatively you can head over to Rue Victor le Vigoureux and discover its famous covered market. Open every day except Sunday, the latter is a big metal structure full of lovely stalls selling fruit and vegetables, spices and crafts from the local area and Madagascar.

Popular with residents and tourists alike, the pleasant seafront of Saint-Pierre is particularly attractive with its golden sand beach, marina and embankments that are ideal for a stroll. If you take a walk near the harbour, you will see the picturesque dry dock, a listed historic monument, and its little fishing boats. Nearby, you can lay out your towel on the warm sand of the welcoming beach, which has showers and a lifeguard station, before going for a swim in the lagoon's peaceful waters.

Additional information
Saint-Pierre

Saint-Pierre is a town on the south coast of the island of Reunion, a French territory in the Indian Ocean in the southern hemisphere.

By road, it is distant 90 km from Saint-Denis prefecture.

Sub-prefecture of La Réunion, it is also called "The Southern Capital".

Forbidden to settlement before 1700, the city and its region were then used for the production of coffee and sugar cane. From 1736 the city grows in a geometric plane and becomes Saint-Pierre in 1790. A channel drilled in 1835 used to distribute water in the different neighborhoods. The vast territory (over 95 km²) of Saint-Pierre allows the cohabitation of a shopping center, a port area and in the twentieth century, if industrial areas are emerging, farming continues (even a thousand Operating at the beginning of the XXI century).

A true urban center to rapid population growth, from 33 000 in 1960 to more than 81,000 now, Saint-Pierre is a place of cultural and religious confluences.

Saint-Pierre is also considered the "tourist Door" south of the island. Its airport, "Airport of Pierrefonds," which will soon welcome large aircraft, will allow tourists and visitors direct access to some of the most visited tourist sites on the island without having to do the 90 km separating the airport Roland Garros in the north of the island; as the active volcano "Piton de la Fournaise" (2600 m) where you can easily and safely often attend several times a year to the magnificent performances of effusive eruptions and lava fountains of molten, offering an unforgettable show day, but especially at night. Door as the "Grand Brûlé" the wild south from where one can see and sometimes come very near the lava sliding on the flank of the volcano, cut the road 2, and finally landed in the sea in an impressive confrontation between water and fire. It is also in this southern region that is cultivated one of the best vanilla in the world, clove, extract or powder, the vanilla named "Vanilla Bourbon, Reunion" prized by chefs and confectioners.

It is yet Saint-Pierre that can quickly access the most beautiful circus of the island, "Cilaos", with its route with 400 curves, cliffs and steep ravines, chaotic and beautiful landscapes dominated by the roof of the Mascarene islands, the "Piton des Neiges" (3071 m), where we come from afar to buy them the famous embroideries of Cilaos, called "days of Cilaos", performed by some of the " best worker of France ". A stunning work of finesse and precision to give an unrivaled beauty.

The Pierrefonds Airport is, again, the quickest way to make the crossing to the island from west to east by the beautiful road RN3 crossing the Plains, the Plains as Kaffirs where the landscape changes over altitude, from the urban landscape, the sugar cane fields and rural villages surrounded by vegetable and fruit crops, and finally the meadows with grazing cows, horses and other gifts.

Before descending on the eastern side of the island through the Plaine des Palmistes, hot, humid, paradise of exotic plants, ferns and orchids.

Saint-Pierre course is a seaside resort, with its pretty marina, long white sand beach, its modern waterfront and well laid out so animated summer evenings where St. Pierrois come to entertain and enjoy the fresh sea air.

Finally, Saint-Pierre is a "city of art and history".

Thus, its waterfront, its typical center and its rich natural environment were also one of Reunion tourism capitals.

Things to see and do

In terms of built heritage, a visit of Saint-Pierre must include the present Town Hall, former shop of the Compagnie des Indes dating from the eighteenth. It is a fine example of colonial construction.

It also became a public building (the sub-prefecture), the former Villa Motais de Narbonne dates from the years 1820-1830: this residence of wood, stone and lime is characteristic of the bourgeois residences of the colonial type.

To see again, the covered market with metal structure erected in 1860 which was and remains one of the most active centers of the city.

Former "commandant's house", the current media library dates back to the end of the 18th century, just like the old Kerveguen warehouse of the Compagnie des Indes, which has been restored.

Also worth a visit is the Maison Orré, named after a sugar factory, an example of Creole-style architecture (19th century), and the Adam de Villiers house, considered to be the oldest in the city (1760). Part with volcanic stone.

Guided tours of the city are possible: please call +33 2 62 96 29 10.

More picturesque, a journey into the city center by cart: join +33 6 93 04 79 10.

In general, besides the seafront and its many restaurants and tourist establishments, the old center which adjoins it, very lively, contains many colonial-style houses and colorful shopping boutiques.

But Saint-Pierre also applies to its green spaces: one can visit the Exotica Park (information on +33 2 62 35 65 45) or the Grilled Coffee area (+33 2 62 24 15 40).

Finally, to better understand the history of the city from an economic point of view, the museum of the Saga du Rhum is interesting: contact +33 2 62 35 81 90.

It is time to take advantage of the exceptional natural environment (in terms of flora and fauna) of the city and its surroundings: numerous hiking and cycling routes are arranged. Information on 0820 203 220. Some pass through the Domaine Vidot, at 650 meters above sea level. There is also a picnic area, games for children and a fitness trail.

Finally, of course, the formidable coast offers lovers of lazing, swimming, water sports (sailing, surfing, diving) infinite possibilities. Especially that Saint-Pierre has a lagoon where swimming is possible on magnificent white sandy beaches!

For families, a landscaped area, the Jardins de la Plage, also offers green areas and playgrounds.

The marina, where boats that offer whaling or diving activities are moored, can be worth a visit as well.

More picturesque, finally, in extension of the sea front, in the territory of Saint-Pierre, the village of Holy Land, Creole style, with its fish market, deserves a detour.

For the nautical activities, all information on 0820 203 220.

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Flight over the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Reunion Island (25 minutes) - Transfers included
Nature and the great outdoors210 € Saint-Pierre
Helicopter flight over the Cilaos and Mafate cirques of Reunion Island (25min), from Saint Pierre - Transfers included
Nature and the great outdoors240 € Saint-Pierre
Circuit with a tour guide
Nature and the great outdoors190 € to 280 € Saint-Pierre
Full Tour of Saint Pierre by Segway
Entertainment59 € Saint-Pierre
Helicopter flight over the whole of Reunion Island (55 mins), from Saint-Pierre - Transfers included
Entertainment350 € Saint-Pierre
Helicopter flight over Reunion Island : Piton de la Fournaise, 3 cirques, and Trou de Fer (45min), from Saint Pierre - Transfers included
Nature and the great outdoors310 € Saint-Pierre
Saint-Pierre Express Tour by Segway
Entertainment39 € Saint-Pierre
Guided buggy excursion in the south of Reunion Island (3h), with snack
Sports sensations200 € Saint-Pierre

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments
Performance halls
Transport

Events and festivities

The first weekend of June, over three days, the Sakifo Musik Festival offers concerts of rock, reggae, French chanson but also African and creole groups. It brings together tens of thousands of spectators.

In a different genre, at the end of October, Saint-Pierre is the departure of the Grand Raid, an ultra-trail (long distance race) of more than 150 km whose course is very rugged. More than 2,000 participants are at the rendezvous, and the whole city is animated on this occasion.

In another register, a market takes place every Saturday morning on the waterfront (locality La Ravine blanche), including fruits, vegetables, meat and fish from local production and fishing.

The covered market is open every day (from 7 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 7 am to 12 am) and there are also handicraft products. On the market square, on Wednesday morning, it is a luxuriant flower market which is worth the detour...

Finally, on the 3rd Saturday of the month, a night market from 7 pm to 11 pm takes place at the Jardins de la Plage.

Detailed information

Sakifo
A diverse festival of pop, rock and maloya music on the island of RéunionFrom 7 to 9 june 2024
Grand Raid race
A very tough running race on the island of RéunionOctober 2024

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

The Old Domain at Ravine des Cabris - 76 Path Searching. Take a leap into the past: a site steeped in history... Guided tours from Tuesday to Sunday at 10am and 2pm. For any reservation: 0692 65 66 93.

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

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