OUR TRAVEL : 13 days, from September 26 to October 8, 2022
WHERE : Reunion Island, an island east of Madagascar in the Mascarene Archipelago
HOW TO GET THERE / GET AROUND: By plane, it takes about 11 hours. Several companies allow you to get there: Air France, Corsair, Air Austral and Frenchbee. On site, we advise you to rent a car to have more freedom.
TIME DELAY : +2h/3h depending on the season
WHEN TO GO ? There are two seasons in Reunion Island so choose your dates carefully. The austral summer (from December to March) : it rains a lot with risks of cyclones with high temperatures. Thesouthern winter (from April to September): the weather is drier with cooler temperatures.
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR SUITCASE ? In addition to the usual things you need to enjoy an island in the tropics, we advise you to take something to face all kinds of weather, especially when hiking! Reunion Island is known for its microclimates and everything can happen in one day (rain, sun, wind, fog). So don't forget to bring sun cream +50 (UV rays are very strong on the island), a cap or a hat for hikes without shade like on the Piton de Bert, a sweater or an intermediate jacket for cooler weather. Don't forget your walking shoes and a good water bottle to keep you hydrated!
WHY GO THERE ? For all nature lovers, Reunion Island is made for you: cirques, primary forests, volcanoes, everything is there for you to find your happiness! If you prefer seaside activities, you will not be left out with the discovery of the lagoon and boat trips!
ACCESSIBILITY : Find all our addresses on our map Mapstr !
Until a few months ago, when we were told about Reunion Island, we always had a twinge of sadness. This island was, according to us, reserved for hikers and the activities accessible for a person in a wheelchair were not numerous or even non-existent.
Two weeks on the spot were enough to make us change our mind and discover that the intense island is definitely accessible to all! From the cirques to the Piton de la Fournaise, through the primary forest of Belouve and the lagoon on the west coast, we vibrated to the rhythm of the landscapes, the magnificent encounters, the unique gastronomy... An unforgettable experience!
In this article, we take you on our steps and we give you our favorites with all the practical information to plan your trip to Reunion Island.
Our itinerary : The Northeast, the Volcano, the wild South and the West
The Northeast
Sainte Suzanne
Barely descended from the plane, we begin the tour of the island by setting the course towards Sainte Suzanne and its vanilla plantation. It takes only a few seconds to smell the sweet perfumes of vanilla... We did not go to the wrong address! During the visit, we discover the different steps to cultivate the precious pods: pollination, drying, sorting, each one has its importance to guarantee the quality of the final product. In the same way as rum, several types of vanilla can be prepared, such as frosted vanilla, which costs around €2,500 per kilo!
Reunion Island is known for its Creole cuisine, so when we were asked to participate in a cooking class, we didn't hesitate for a second!
Jacky, known as the white wolf on the island for his desire to transmit his passion to others, created FarFar Kréol a little over 5 years ago. On the menu: cod and egg curry, slow-cooked rooster, egg rolls and samosas... Nothing else!
Five days a week, no less than 25 guests gather around a huge table to cook together. Everyone pitches in: peeling, preparing rougails (the famous chili sauces that accompany most Creole dishes) or sugar cane juice, cooking over a wood fire under Jacky's watchful eyes! As a bonus, we learn how to make egg rolls and samosas.
A moment rich in flavors and meetings that we can only recommend!
Before joining the road for the cirque of Salazie, we make a small detour to see the Niagara waterfall. The first of a long series!
Le Beau Rivage : Along the corniche in Saint-André, you can enjoy good local, Chinese or metropolitan dishes with the view of the Indian Ocean. Prices: from 15€ for a dish and the menu is between 20 and 29€. Accessibility: the access is on the same level (you have to open the two doors to pass with your wheelchair), the toilets are accessible and equipped.
The Vanilleraie: The perfect place to learn more about vanilla. Visits are from Monday to Saturday. Price: 5€ per person. Accessibility: A level passageway leads to the reception area from the parking lot. A ramp gives access to all the visit areas. The toilets are accessible and equipped.
FarFar Kréol: A cooking class like no other with Jacky. From the market to your plate, you are the chef! Contact: +262 693 00 91 36 - jaroumou@yahoo.fr - Every day except Monday and Thursday Prices: 39€ per person for the complete experience. Accessibility: the Sainte Suzanne market is entirely flat. The space where the cooking class takes place can be arranged so that you can move around. Jacky will suggest that you sit at the end of the table, where there is the most space for you to be comfortable.
The circus of Salazie
Among the three cirques, Salazie is the easiest to access. It takes only half an hour from the coast to find yourself face to face with the piton of Anchaing. On the way, you will see the Cascade Blanche on your left. Third highest waterfall in France with its 640 meters, it is simply impressive! If you are afraid to miss it, the best landmark is the Pisse en l'air, a waterfall that ends its course directly on the road!
Unfortunately inaccessible by wheelchair, a path from the nearby parking lot nearby parking lot to the foot of the waterfall. It takes about 1h30 to walk the 3 km.
A few kilometers further, we arrive to Hell-Bourg, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. It is here that we meet Jairo, guide at the Tourist Office of the East. Walking between the multicolored creole houses, he tells us the story of Anchaing, one of the first maroons of Reunion Island. Then a slave in a farm on the coast, he escaped with his beautiful Héva on the highest mountain of Salazie, which today bears his name. Caught several years later by a maroon hunter, legend has it that they were pardoned by their former master.
Do you know the expression "hand-picked"? If you don't know what it means, just pass by the mini-market on the main square of the village: the most beautiful products have been carefully displayed on the shutter!
Whether you are a music lover or not, we advise you to go to the museum of music and instruments of the Indian Ocean. Each region of the world bordering the ocean is represented and armed with your audioguide you can discover the sounds of a large part of the instruments. The central room is dedicated to maloya, a typically Reunionese music inherited from the slaves.
For those who like views and perspectives, Jairo showed us three:
- To have an overhanging view of the village with the piton of Anchaing, it is just here
- The Point du jour just below Hell-Bourg with only the piton
- The trees of the Dr. Paul Lamarque Street forms a perfect arc over the road
In the heart of the village, the Maison Folio stands out. We let ourselves be carried away by the voice of Raphaël, grandson of Madame Folio who created this little paradise with her husband in the 1970s. As he says so well, he is not here to give us the scientific names of the plants but rather to give us a sensory and visual experience that we will remember. The plants in the garden all have a virtue, whether medicinal or gustatory. The one that probably made the most impression on us was the Four Spice, which, once its leaves are crushed, releases a mixture of clove, ginger, nutmeg and pepper scents!
During your visit, you may have the chance to see Madame Folio who still lives in this house.
We leave Hell-Bourg by stopping at the waterfall of the Voile de la Mariée which pours down below the road. It is splendid!
Sarana Hotel & Spa: Just opened, this boutique hotel offers rooms with stunning views of the cirque ramparts. Rates: From 172€ per night with breakfast. Accessibility: They have two rooms for people with reduced mobility. The bathroom is well equipped with grab bars in the right places. The common areas are well equipped. At the time of our visit, the pool and spa were not yet open. They have 2 parking spaces next to the entrance.
Les jardins d'Héva: Overlooking the city center, this charming hotel has a few rooms with a view of the Anchaing peak. If you are passing by, the restaurant is very good. Rates: From 98€ per night with breakfast. Accessibility: They have two rooms for people with reduced mobility. The seat in the shower is missing but you can ask the reception if you need it. They have 2 parking spaces for disabled people.
Chez Billy - Ô Tipikement Créole : Jessica and Billy welcome you with good food and many arranged rums on the spot or to take away. Prices: from 8€ for a sausage rougail. Accessibility: the access road is not yet very accessible for wheelchairs but Billy plans to rearrange it with a parking space for disabled people right in front of it. The toilets are accessible.
Maison Folio: A charming Creole house nestled in the heart of a lush garden! There are 2 guided tours per day at 10am and 2pm (almost 2 hours of visit). Rates : Self-guided tour 4€, guided tour 6€, combo with the musical instruments museum 9€. Remember to reserve, it is often crowded. Accessibility: it is possible to access the garden through the secondary entrance. The ground is rather good and can be walked on with a wheelchair, with some stones and grass in some places.
Museum of music and instruments of the Indian Ocean : This museum is an opportunity to discover the sounds of the instruments of the Indian Ocean thanks to the audio guide. Rates: 7€ per person, 5€ for people with reduced mobility, 9€ with the combined ticket with the Maison Folio. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible by going around the house. The toilets are accessible and equipped.
The forest of Belouve
On Reunion Island, access to nature is more than easy. The paths in the heart of the primary forests are right there and all you have to do is to leave for an extraordinary adventure. But when you are in a wheelchair, these paths are often too narrow, covered with rocks and roots. That's why when we arrived in the forest of Bélouve we were pleasantly surprised by a course arranged (300 meters approximately) on wooden footbridges. We thread our way between the tree ferns with the song of the birds in background, a delight!
Just next door, when the weather is good, the garden of the Bélouve gîte offers a breathtaking view of the cirque of Salazie and the piton of Anchaing!
Gîte de Bélouve : When sleeping with a view makes sense! Rates : from 18€ per night. Accessibility: The gîte has accessible and equipped toilets. A room for the disabled is under construction and should be available in the next few months. There is a parking space right next to the the gite and another one below on the main parking lot.
Discovery Trail: There are two trails. The first is made on wooden footbridges entirely accessible in wheelchair. We were not able to see the seconda loop in the forest, because it is closed at the moment. Accessibility: There is a parking space right next to the of the gite and another one below on the main parking lot.
The Piton de la Fournaise
The first eruption of our life
We leave Le Four à Pain in the night to reach the Pas des Sables and observe the sunrise on the Plaine des Sables. The last stars disappear and the clouds move at full speed in the distance. The first rays of the sun break through, time to have a coffee with a breathtaking view on this lunar landscape.
We take the road again to meet Didier, our guide that morning, at the Pas de Bellecombe. We approach the edge of theFouquet enclosure and we are simply overwhelmed by its size! Two natural ramparts of more than 300m high were formed with the successive eruptions and geological movements since the creation of the island. To facilitate my movements on the rough terrain of the path leading to the Piton de Bert, I climb in an all-terrain wheelchair (FTT ) thanks to the TITAN association. Its electric motor and its maneuverability allows me to go absolutely everywhere and it is a real treat!
This excursion is a little bit particular for us... A few days before our arrival on the island, the volcano entered in eruption. It is the first one of the year and we have the chance to observe it. The sky is clear and the fumaroles are well visible even if the piton is more than 2 km away in the heart of the enclosure. The show is simply grandiose. The projections of lava are gigantic and the cone is already more than 30 meters high! The volcano shows us all its power and Didier who is not at his first eruption does not return either!
On October 28, the authorities in charge of the volcano met to name this new piton. It is now known as Piton Tikal in connection with the tales and legends of Reunion associated with Gran Mèr Kal, a witch appearing in this region.
We also had the opportunity to see the eruption at night. The projections of lava make the fog glow, which was invited during our progression on the path of the Piton de Bert. The atmosphere is totally different, the beam of the flashlights is drawn along the rampart, the cold has settled. We recommend you tobe accompanied by a guide who knows the trail. It is easy to lose the trail and not know where the parking lot is. With the magnetic power of the volcano, the GPS can be impacted and not show you the right direction.
Guided tour with Didier : He created Austral Altitude with Thierry to accompany amateur hikers as well as professional runners on the most beautiful trails of Reunion Island. You won't be disappointed! Contact : Didier +262 6 92 05 79 53 Prices : from 50€ per person (group of 4 hikers minimum). Numerous itineraries are proposed, including the loop around the Piton de la Fournaise.
Pas de Bellecombe: The relay of the Pas de Bellecombe is a good starting point to have an overall view of the Fouquet enclosure. Accessibility: The viewpoint has been landscaped with a slightly elevated concrete path to see over the fence while sitting in a wheelchair. There is a parking space for people with reduced mobility. The dry toilets are accessible and equipped. New toilets were under construction at the time of our visit, also accessible to wheelchairs.
Parking Foc Foc : It allows you to park as close as possible to the start of the trail to the Piton de Bert.
Pas des sables: The perfect spot for sunrise. A parking lot equipped for people with reduced mobility just below allows to have a view on the Plaine des Sables.
La Cité du Volcan: On the road to the volcano, this museum traces the life of the island from its formation to the present day. Interactive spaces, archive videos, live cameras, you will know everything about the Piton de la Fournaise! Rates: 9€ per adult, 6€ for a reduced rate (children, PMR and accompanying person). The ticket office closes at 4:15 pm. Accessibility: the museum is fully accessible for people with reduced mobility.
The lava road
Below the volcano, the road that runs along the coast is aptly named Route des laves. It is a recurrent witness of the power of Piton de la Fournaise. Over the years, several eruptions have reached the ocean by crossing the tar with the last one in 2007! Seeing the dried lava from so close is impressive!
A little higher up, the village of Sainte Rose is home to a small miracle. In 1977, a lava flow surrounded thechurch Notre Dame des Laves without touching it!
In the same township, don't miss to stop at theAnse des cascades. This place is very popular with the inhabitants of Reunion Island for picnics in the shade of palm trees or simply to relax with the sound of waterfalls and the ocean crashing on the rocks.
Le Four à pain : A charming bed and breakfast in Saint Philippe. The perfect place to enjoy the volcano area during your stay. The breakfast is good and the sound of the waves makes you get up on the right foot! Rates: from 80€ per night with breakfast. Accessibility: Room 1 is adapted for people with reduced mobility. There are grab bars and we gave the owner the references of a seat for the shower. There is a parking space for disabled people right next to the main entrance. For the pool, the access is currently via the passage of the cars. The slope is a bit steep, so Jean-Marc has planned to build a ramp instead of the stairs from the main terrace to make it easier to access.
La terrasse des 2 pitons : A good address to stop at during your peregrinations on the lava road. Prices: the dishes can be taken on the spot (20€) or to take away (5€). Accessibility: there is a small step to get inside. The toilets are accessible and equipped. If they are not suitable, there are some right next to the restaurant.
Warren Hastings: Just next to the Bread Oven, we could taste our first palm salad, delicious! Prices: the entries are from 10€ and the dishes from 17€. Accessibility: there is gravel between the road and the entrance of the restaurant. The main room is accessible via a step. There is also a ramp to access it, but it opens onto a table that may be occupied during your visit. The restrooms are large and accessible with a small step up to the window door.
Anse des cascades : Magical place surrounded by waterfalls. Avoid coming on weekends so that it is not too crowded. Accessibility: There are two accessible parking spaces in the parking lot closest to the waterfalls. In one of the buildings in the center of the area, there are accessible toilets.
The Wild South
The South of the island is the intermediate stage between the aridity of the Plaine des Sables and the intense blue of the lagoon in the west. We take the time to make some visits and to live at the rhythm of the Réunionese.
The Garden of Perfumes and Spices
At the exit of Saint Philippe, the garden of Perfumes and spices should please the passionate persons of plants. There are no less than 1,500 species, all endemic to Reunion Island! Under the sun, the intensity of the colors is magical.
The Langevin waterfall
The Langevin waterfall, or des Trois Galets, is well worth a visit. The small road follows the river where families gather to picnic and swim in the natural pools formed by the rocks. We cross an old bridge before taking an almost vertical road leading to the point of view of the waterfall. The pool below is unfortunately not accessible by wheelchair and for those of you who want to try it, we advise you to have good shoes to avoid slipping on the wet stones.
The Rum Saga
This museum is installed in the distillery of the Isautier rum factory, which is over 300 years old. During the production period, the smell of liquorice and alcohol vapors make us travel during the visit. We discover the origin of Charrette rum, created in 1972 by the 8 distilleries present on the island. The visit ends with a tasting of the rums of the house that it is aged or arranged, there is for all the tastes!
All-terrain wheelchair trip to Étang-Salé
The all-terrain wheelchair is the perfect device to go hiking when you have a disability. We had the opportunity to test it in the Alps and here on the ramparts of the Piton de la Fournaise and the sensations are always great. Mathieu, the founder of the TITAN association, takes us for a 2 hours walk to discover the beach of Etang-Salé through the Energy Vortex and the Chasm where the ocean unleashes its power. On the way back, change of scenery with the forest of Étang-Salé where forest areas are mixed with immense expanses of short grass, much appreciated by runners.
3 must-see spots on the South Coast
Just like in Martinique, we made a point of having a picnic on the coast! Almost every day of the week, but especially on Sundays, you'll see barbecue stands on the roadside. We opted for this one before settling down on the lawn of Cap Méchant with the bonus of some whales passing by!
This beach is popular with the locals on weekends even though it is forbidden to swim there. Indeed, all the beaches of Reunion Island which are not protected by the coral barrier are too dangerous because of the sea bed and the possible presence of sharks. One comes here to admire the sunset and some restaurants allow to enjoy it with a small snack!
On the other side of Saint Pierre, we were almost alone to watch the sunset over the Devil's Point, a rocky outcrop on which the waves crash.
Le Four à pain : A charming bed and breakfast in Saint Philippe. The perfect place to enjoy the volcano area during your stay. The breakfast is good and the sound of the waves makes you get up on the right foot! Rates: from 80€ per night with breakfast. Accessibility: Room 1 is adapted for people with reduced mobility. There are grab bars and we gave the owner the references of a seat for the shower. There is a parking space for disabled people right next to the main entrance. For the pool, the access is currently via the passage of the cars. The slope is a bit steep, so Jean-Marc has planned to build a ramp instead of the stairs from the main terrace to make it easier to access.
Epoca: A very nice spot to watch the sunset on the beach of Grande Anse. Prices: cocktails are 12€, tapas between 6 and 9€ and dishes from 19€. Accessibility: the entrance is on the same level as the parking lot. There are accessible toilets right next to the restaurant.
Perfume and spice garden : A huge garden which lists more than 1500 species of endemic plants of Reunion Island. Accessibility : the garden is not really accessible. There are several steps to reach the main house. The main path is made of small compacted stones. As soon as you move away, some of the paths have a lot of outcropping rocks which makes it difficult to move around. It is possible to park on one of the private access roads, but once parked there is not much space around the car for wheelchair access.
Langevin Falls: The parking area next to the viewpoint is quite narrow and very steep, making it difficult to transfer out of the car.
The Saga of Rum : To know everything about the origins of rum in Reunion Island. It is compulsory to book to take a guided tour. It lasts about 1h15 with the tasting of 2 rums from the Isautier house. Rates :11€ per person, 8€ for the reduced rate (child, person with reduced mobility...). Accessibility: The place is labeled Tourism and Handicap for the 4 handicaps since 2012. The place is fully accessible by wheelchair with 2 elevators at the beginning and end of the visit. It is possible to visit the place in LSF and for people with a visual handicap, the Rum Saga has created tactile elements to allow them to better appreciate their visit. The tasting area has also been designed with shelves adjusted to the right height.
Titan Association : Climb aboard this all-terrain chair to survey effortlessly the sand, pebbles, roots of Etang-Salé! Contact: Mathieu +262 693 87 26 92 Rates: 50€ for a 1h ride, 70€ for a 2h ride. Accessibility: Mathieu has several FTTs: one with a trigger to accelerate (the FTT stops when you release it), the other two have the same trigger system but the FTT freewheels when you release it. The seats are comfortable and a seatbelt allows to be well supported despite the jerks.
Cape Mean: Parking is not easy when it's busy. The access to the waterfront is grassy with roots and outcropping rocks. A third wheel may be a good option, otherwise a two-wheeler is desirable for comfortable progress.
Grande Anse beach: There are two PMR places near the beach.
Pointe du Diable : There are 3 parking lots near the walk along the sea. They all have places for disabled people.
The West
The circus of Cilaos
The cirque of Cilaos must be earned! Only one road allows you to stop there and it has an evocative name: the road with 400 curves spread over only 35 km! It is spectacular from the beginning to the end and you will only want to stop on the side of the road to enjoy the panorama. Unfortunately, there are not many places to stop and the locals drive pretty fast!
Once in the village, look up to admire the immense ramparts that surround you. The Piton des Neiges, from the top of its 3 000m of altitude, dominates the village when the clouds let glimpse its summit. Take the opportunity to stroll among the Creole houses and have a bite to eat at Lucay' s above theArchipelago Galleryof Arts and Crafts. Don't forget to taste the green lentils and the wine made in the circus!
To the west of the village, take the direction of Bras Rouge to see the waterfall of the same name and have a view of the cirque from another angle.
Chez Lucay : In the heart of the village, this terrace offers a nice view on the church and the piton des neiges. The dishes are correct. Prices : from 13€ for a dish. Accessibility : wheelchair access is possible by an elevator from the street. The terrace is on the ground floor and there is a small ledge to access the main room.
Sunrise on the cirque of Mafate
The cirque of Mafate is a paradise for hikers. Some villages are only accessible by foot so that the supplies are done by helicopter! The only possibility for us to see it is to get up again in the middle of the night. We leave the Hermitage in the direction of the belvedere of Maïdo on one of the ramparts of Mafate. We are not the first ones but the atmosphere is peaceful, the smoke of the coffee comes out of a tent... everybody waits for the first rays of the sun to show up! In a few seconds, the air warms up and the grandeur of the circus is revealed before our still sleeping eyes. It is certainly one of the most beautiful spectacle that the island can offer!
Fill up on outdoor activities
Discovering the corals of the lagoon
On the beach of Trou d'eau in Saline les Bains we meet Pierre, our guide for a transparent kayak trip on the lagoon. For a little more than an hour, we glide on the crystal clear water, brushing against the corals! Pierre gives us details about their formation and their health as we go along and does not hesitate to describe all the fish we meet. In the same way as for the marine turtles, the marine reserve of Reunion Island protects the lagoon by delimiting the navigable zones so that the corals can regenerate without being disturbed. A few years ago, tourists and locals were climbing on them without realizing that they were endangering their survival. It is therefore a whole learning process that actors like Lagon Réunion try to transmit.
Kelonia, marine turtle conservation center
The preservation of marine turtles is of paramount importance in themarine ecosystem of Reunion Island. Every year, they come to lay their eggs on the beaches of the west coast and the Kelonia center works hand in hand with the local authorities to protect these areas. Thanks to their magnetic markers, they come back to the same place every year, but a little can upset them: light pollution, modification of the surrounding infrastructures... The center has thus developed a system of basins to collect and rehabilitate turtles that are injured or too fragile to be able to survive alone in the open sea. An educational course was also thought to sensitize from the youngest age.
Taking to the skies
Along the road from Saline les Bains to Étang-Salé, you can't miss paragliders climbing in the hot air columns. JB and Julien fromAzurtech gave us the chance to enjoy it as well by climbing to the Colimaçons take-off site. Once settled in the tandem, it only takes a few seconds to find ourselves above the gullies and flying alongside the straw-tailed birds, the emblematic bird of Reunion! The view on the blue shades of the ocean is splendid. The small more by taking off here: a soft landing on the beach!
In search of humpback whales
Every austral winter, humpback whales come up from Antarctica to the warm waters of Reunion Island to mate and give birth to their young. Their observation is possible from June to the end of September but this year, they have decided to stay a little longer and we are not disappointed! The underwater shape of the island allows the whales to move closer to the coasts without being disturbed by the stronger currents offshore.
Here are two ways to see them on the West Coast:
- From the land, we advise you to always have an eye on the horizon looking for a water volute or their tail fin whose white will contrast with the blue of the water! We saw some from Cap Méchant and on the road near Saint Paul.
- A catamaran trip is also possible to get closer to their living space, while keeping a respectable distance so as not to disturb them. The eye of the captain of Festiyacht 's Maloya allowed us to see a mother and her calf for a few minutes!
Tropic Appart'Hotel: Located in downtown L'Hermitage, it's perfect for radiating out into the west of the island.Rates: from €140 per night with breakfast. Accessibility: The hotel is accessible on one level and there is a PMR parking space right next to the entrance. Breakfast is served on the first floor without an elevator. It is possible to order it the day before (before 7pm) so that it can be brought to your room. The shower in the adapted room is not necessarily well equipped: the shower seat is positioned under the mixer tap which makes it impossible to use. We used one of the chairs on the terrace during our stay. The toilets are well equipped.
The Hermitage
Métis Café: A great address in downtown Hermitage. Whether you're hungry or very hungry, you'll find what you need between the tapas and the many dishes on the menu. Concerts are organized on Friday and Saturday nights. Prices: from 7€ for tapas and from 13€ for dishes. Accessibility: The first part of the terrace is on the same level, the other is accessible by a ramp. The toilets are accessible.
La Saline les Bains
La Bodega 974: Right next to the transparent kayaks, this restaurant offers good burgers for a change from traditional dishes. Prices: dishes start at 16€. Accessibility: from the parking lot, the main access is on a wooden footbridge but you have to go down a step if you want to sit closer to the beach. The tables are placed in the sand. There are toilets accessible on the same level.
Saint Leu
Château de sable : In Saint-Leu, this restaurant offers a breathtaking view of the lagoon. The dishes are good and copious. Prices: the lunch menu is 21,5€, in the evening the dishes are from 18€. Accessibility: the main access is on the same level. Unfortunately I did not test the toilets.
Saint Paul
La Capitainerie: In Saint Paul, a terrace overlooking the black sand. The samousas are perfect as a starter to share and the dishes are good. Find their menu here. Prices: from 7€ for the starters and 15€ for the dishes. Accessibility: the entrance to the terrace is on the same level and the toilets are accessible and equipped for wheelchairs.
1715 : Away from the city center of Saint Paul, this café is installed in a small haven of peace. Here drinking a coffee is an art: you choose the origin and the machine to prepare it! All that's left to do is enjoy it with a homemade pastry! Find here the list of all the drinks. We totally fall for the Golden latte with turmeric and ginger. Prices: from 2€ for the espresso and 2€ for the pastries. Accessibility: there is a step to access the garden where some tables are installed. The other tables are more difficult to access. The toilets are not accessible.
Belvedere of Maïdo : Accessibility: There are 3 PMR places on the last parking right at the top next to the viewpoint. The path which allows to join the barrier is concreted on the first half.
Kelonia - Marine turtle preservation center: A center dedicated to the protection of marine turtles. The tour allows you to observe them and learn more about their environment. Rates: 8€ per adult, 5€ reduced rate (children, up to 11 years old, PRM). Accessibility: the place is fully accessible and equipped. There is a parking space for disabled persons right next to the entrance.
Transparent kayak : On the Trou d'eau beach in Saline-les-bains, the lagoon is perfect for a transparent kayak outing and coral watching. Rates: 25€/hour for two without a guide, 45€/2hour with a guide, free photos taken during the trip and a cocktail on the beach, 12€/hour for a paddle, 20€/hour for a transparent paddle. Accessibility: from the parking lot there is some sand to get to the welcome tent but the team will offer you help. In the same way, they will help you to roll on the sand to the water, taking care that the water does not touch the wheels. To get on board, they use the chair technique and slide the kayak underneath. There is a fairly high backrest and the seat is a little bit padded so feel free to add the thickness of a life jacket if needed. If you need to go to the bathroom, there is one on the same level at La Bodega restaurant.
Azurtech paragliding : JB and Julien will take you in the air from the heights of Saint Leu with a breathtaking view of the ocean and the coral reef! Contact : Contact JB at +262 692 85 04 00 and tell him your condition so he can have an idea before the flight. Rates: 80€ for 15 to 20 min flight, 100€ for 30 to 40 min. Accessibility: they offer flights for people with reduced mobility but do not use the 3-wheel cart. They take good care of you and your position whether it is for the transport to the take-off field or when you are put in the harness. On landing on the beach, I lifted my legs and JB positioned himself in such a way as to stop the glider dead in its tracks, and this very smoothly!
Catamaran Festiyacht: Come aboard the Maloya for a 2.5-hour excursion in search of whales! Contact: +262 262 34 10 10 Rates: 35€/adult and between 5 and 30€ per child. There are other types of cruises (sunset, promenade). You can book right here. Accessibility: there is a ramp to access the dock and the staff will help you carry your wheelchair inside the boat. There is plenty of room to move around. There is a staircase to access the front of the boat to better see the whales. If your wheelchair is not too big, they can help you get there. Be aware that there is no shade once you get up there. The boat's restrooms are not accessible.
The Gouzous
Scattered all over the island, you are probably wondering who are these little yellow guys always in action! They are none other than the Gouzous created by Jace in 1992. All you have to do is hunt for them during your stay!
These 12 days spent in Reunion Island exceeded our expectations. We didn't think we could enjoy so much the assets of the island. We were able to witness the beauty of the cirques, the power of nature with majestic waterfalls, the silent presence of humpback whales... But above all, we were able to experience intense emotions with the first eruption of our lives at the Piton de la Fournaise, day and night, and activities in the heart of nature accessible to all, even those with disabilities.
We will certainly come back to Reunion Island to immerse ourselves in the local life and discover its other secrets... this is only a goodbye!
This trip was realized in collaboration with Atout France and theReunion Island Tourism.
A response
Bonjour , c’est un peu par hasard que je tombe sur votre blog décrivant vos vacances à l’île de la Réunion …. Je suis infirmière et pour allier ma passion pour mon île et mon métier j’ai un projet touristique en tête ….. est-il possible de rentré en contact avec vous pour recueillir vos impressions sur l’accessibilité des logements aux personnes à mobilité réduite sur l’île?
Merci d’avance.