Photos of Reunion Island, mountain side

A concentrate of Nature's forces

Le cirque de Salazie, d'Hell-Bourg à Grand IletChemin de randonnée à la RéunionUne statue de la Vierge veille sur les promeneursLa cascade du voile de la mariéeVue générale sur Salazie, au centre de l'îleFleur de l'arum, originaire d'Afrique du SudPetite maison typiqueLa cascade NiagaraUn cardinal mâle arborant sa belle robe rougeLe tarier de la Réunion, ou tec-tecFleur violette au bord du chemin de randonnéeBelle fleur jaune orangéLe bellier, oiseau (Ploceus cucullatus spilonotus)Route traversant les plantations de cannes à sucreUne cascade au beau milieu de la forêtÉglise de Sainte-Anne, de style baroqueÉglise Notre-Dame de l'Assomption à SalazieChapelle Sainte-Rita à Sainte-RoseL'autel de l'église de Sainte-AnneTemple tamoul à Saint-AndréStatue d'un éléphant dans le temple tamoulLe tarier, oiseau endémique à la RéunionLa vallée du Takamaka, à l'est de l'île de la RéunionFleur de l'arum sous le soleil de la RéunionFèves de cacao dans leur cabosseVue sur la vallée depuis le Piton de la FournaiseCratères du Piton de la FournaiseTerre rouge au Piton de la Fournaise

The jewels of Reunion Island – the pitons, cirques and remparts – were added to the list of natural World Heritage sites by UNESCO on August 1, 2010. It’s a long-awaited and justified recognition for this European island in the Indian Ocean. A unique territory where the mountains merge with the sea, where the rugged terrain offers grandiose landscapes, and where 40% of the land has remained untouched since its discovery, Reunion Island confirms its status as a destination of exceptional natural wealth.

With its three cirques offering timeless landscapes, Reunion Island is an open book on the birth of the world. Each cirque is protected by a rampart sculpted by erosion into a thin wall of greenery, opening onto a grandiose site bathed in breathtaking light. A multitude of waterfalls cascade down the slopes covered with tree ferns, chouchous trellises and primary forest.

Arranged in the shape of an ace of clubs, the three cirques adjoining the Piton des Neiges each assert their singularity. From the extraordinary Mafate, only accessible on foot, you’ll enjoy an authentic and enchanting experience. From lush Salazie, at the heart of Creole culture, you can admire one of the island’s most beautiful waterfalls, the Voile de la mariée. From majestic Cilaos, home to the island’s spa, you can set off to climb the Piton des Neiges, the roof of the Indian Ocean.

Click on the picture to enlarge it and discover its caption.

Go top