Family Holidays to La Réunion

The island’s leeward side is where to find sun, sand and seaside towns packed to bursting with water sports, kids activities, seafood restaurants, pretty cafés and resort hotels. It’s the busiest area, especially in summer, but a short drive (or cycle) in any direction and you’re in the middle of magnificent wilderness in no time at all.

• Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains is the west coast’s main town and the place for white beaches, larger resort hotels, lively restaurants and activities from whale watching to deep-sea fishing.
• Pretty Saint-Leu is more traditional with historic French colonial architecture and family-friendly beaches. Good for mid-range hotels, it’s also a mecca for divers and has one of the island’s loveliest lagoons.
• L’Hermitage-Les-Bains is famous for beautiful Plage de L’Hermitage, coral reef snorkelling and luxurious beachfront hotels.
• Don’t miss: Jardin d’Eden; Oasis Lagoon waterpark; Kélonia turtle conservancy; La Réunion Aquarium; Plage de Roches Noir and Plage de Boucan Canot.

The capital of La Réunion is a small French city with a Creole soul. Good for a lazy day breather from the rest of the high-outdoor-excitement island. But don’t expect international museums, galleries and monuments. Instead, just enjoy the pretty colonial architecture, admire grand mosques and churches, stroll along the elegant prom and shelter from the very un-French sun at pretty waterfront cafés.

Covering over 42% of the entire island, it’s almost impossible not to come into contact with La Réunion National Park at some point. A protected environment since 2007 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010 it’s where to find Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges, the Cirques de Salazie, Mafate and Cilaos, cloud forests, rainforests, spectacular waterfalls and mountain villages steeped in traditional Creole culture.

• Visit Hell-Bourg with its graceful Creole mansion houses and gorgeous, lush gardens against a backdrop of soaring peaks and dense tropical forest. It’s said to be the most beautiful town in La Réunion.
• Walking and hiking trails in the national park are well-marked and graded by difficulty. If you’re unsure about going it alone, several local companies have guided day and half-day treks suitable for families and kids.
• You really know La Réunion is France when you see the number of picnic tables and shelters tucked into the most scenic spots. Stock up on baguette and fresh fruit at local markets and take advantage of them.
• Have your al fresco lunch at La Roche Marveilleuse, a classic hike and one of the best views over the Cirque de Cilaos – you can drive too.

Don’t miss: the little villages of Bé Mahot and Îlet-à-Vidot; Cascade de la Voile Mariée (bride’s veil waterfall); a picnic by Rivière du Mât; Basin de Cilaos cloud forest.