What to do in Saint-Philippe on Réunion Island

Située sur la côte sud-est de l’île de la Réunion, dans le « Sud sauvage », la commune de Saint-Philippe est réputée pour sa nature luxuriante et ses paysages volcaniques uniques. Entre patrimoine naturel et activités de pleine nature, voici nos conseils sur les Top things to do when you visit Saint-Philippe.

Visit the Garden of Perfumes and Spices

The lava route

To see the volcanic side of Saint-Philippe, there's nothing like crossing the famous route des laves. This section of Route Nationale 2 between Piton-Sainte-Rose and Saint-Philippe has been covered several times by successive lava flows from the Piton de la Fournaise massif. In 2007, during the impressive lava flow, the road even had to be rebuilt. Along the way, you will cross what is known as the "grand Brûlé", the coastal part of the last caldera formed by the Piton de la Fournaise, namely the Enclos Fouqué.

One of the many attractions of a walk along the lava route is toobserve the traces of volcanic eruptions of the Piton de la Fournaise. Some of the flows are easy to identify thanks to the explanatory panels set up near the sites. Photographers will be able to immortalise these unique testimonies to the power of nature.

Walk through the rainforest and explore the "Caverne Gendarme" lava tunnel

Admire Cap Méchant and the Vincendo Marina

As you continue your exploration of Saint-Philippe, be sure to a stopover at Cap Méchant. This natural site on the edge of the Indian Ocean is a breathtaking sight, with its basalt cliffs battered by relentless waves. Ideal for a picnic break or simply to contemplate the scenery, Cap Méchant also has a children's play area and a rest area.

Not far from there, in Saint-Joseph, stop off at the Marine de VincendoThere is a pleasant pebble beach where you can relax (no swimming due to the risk of sharks). From here, you can take the coastal path towards Cap JauneCap Jaune, a geological curiosity at the foot of Piton Vincendo. As its name suggests, Cap Jaune is an ochre-coloured cliff formed by lava flowing into the water.

If you want to swim in Saint-Philippe, we recommend the a new water basin, called "Baril les bains".The pool has a terrace with sea views, a play area and a picnic area. The pool can accommodate up to 250 people.

Hiking and sporting activities

Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy numerous signposted footpaths crossing the commune of Saint-Philippe. The must-do itineraries include :

• Le sentier du Trembletwhich runs alongside the Indian Ocean and offers breathtaking views of the wild, unspoilt coastline. The start of the trail is 50 metres upstream from the beach car park. This beautiful walk links La Pointe du Tremblet to La Pointe de la Table, following the steep coastline. Allow around 3 hours' walk there and back. Access to Le Tremblet beach has been prohibited since February 2022 because of the wreck of the beached boat (Le tresta star). But you can still admire the beach from the path.

- The Bassins Pilon and Joli Fond circuitYou can take a refreshing dip in the waterfall pools.

Not far from there, at Saint-Jospeh, flows the Rivière Langevin, the Mecca of canyoning. Several local service providers will be able to guide you and provide you with the equipment you need for a thrilling experience. You can even accumulate canyoning and a visit to a lava tunnel !

As well as these emblematic places, don't hesitate to soak up the local atmosphere by strolling through the markets, stopping off at a restaurant in Saint-Philippe and sampling the Creole culinary specialities.