Réunion

The island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean is a French department with a wider cultural history and a landscape of volcanoes, forests, beaches and lagoons.

Outdoor activities are plentiful and will offer you the opportunity to appreciate this remarkably diverse paradise. When it’s not erupting, you can hike to the volcano Piton de la Fournaise and admire its vast crater, or you may be able to witness its fiery eruptions from afar if you visit at the right time. A helicopter tour from Saint-Gilles will showcase the island’s stunning scenery, made up of canyons, lagoons and waterfalls, while the Botanical Gardens bring together many of Réunion’s ornamental, scent-giving and edible plants and flowers.

In the city of Saint-Denis you can browse a number of museums on the Rue de Paris where art, sculpture, social and natural history tell the tale of this remarkable island. Stop off at one of the city’s many eateries to sample local food, a mix of French, African and Indian influences, and ensure that you don’t leave without sampling some Réunion rum, the island’s favourite drink.