Things to do in Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis, with its brasseries, bistros, cafes and Creole character, is a great jumping-off point for exploring the island paradise that is Réunion. This stunning little island town offers visitors architectural beauty, lively ambience, plenty of shopping and dining opportunities, and an abundance of French flair. We recommend visitors indulge in Saint-Denis's slew of excellent eateries and get their souvenir (and spice) shopping done here before exploring the rest of Réunion.

Tourist attractions in Saint-Denis include the Parc du Colorado, a park that is ideal for a picnic or a barbeque and boasts beautiful views; the Jardin de l'Etat, a pretty little garden in the heart of the city; the Musee Leon Dierx, with its impressive modern art collection; and the Natural History Museum, where visitors can learn about the animals, plants and geology of Réunion.

Of course, the real adventure begins when visitors venture a bit further afield on the island. There are many glorious excursions possible from Saint-Denis, which is best used as a travel hub for explorations of the natural wonders of Réunion.

Musee Leon Dierx photo

Musee Leon Dierx

The Musee Leon Dierx, in Saint-Denis, houses an impressive collection of modern art, with works by some of the great masters of the genre, such as Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso, Vlamin…

Musee Leon Dierx

The Musee Leon Dierx, in Saint-Denis, houses an impressive collection of modern art, with works by some of the great masters of the genre, such as Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso, Vlaminck and Morisot. Much of the collection once belonged to a Réunion-born art dealer, Ambroise Vollard, and was later donated to the museum by Vollard's brother, Lucien, after Ambroise's death in 1939. The museum is a must for art lovers and is lauded as the best art collection in the Indian Ocean. Tours of the permanent and temporary exhibitions can be arranged, but must be booked in advance. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Natural History Museum photo

Natural History Museum

The Museum d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum) of Saint-Denis opened its doors in 1855 and was the first museum in Réunion. Home to a rich collection of the Indian Ocean…

Natural History Museum

The Museum d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum) of Saint-Denis opened its doors in 1855 and was the first museum in Réunion. Home to a rich collection of the Indian Ocean's past and present fauna as well as rocks and minerals, the museum offers nature lovers a wonderful snapshot of the region's phenomenal natural heritage. As an added bonus, the actual building is listed as a historical monument, the grandeur of which alone is worth visiting for; plus, it's situated within the State Gardens (Jardin de l'Etat), a beautiful botanical garden that contains a number of exotic plants and trees, such as the talipot palm and the baobab.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains photo

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Close to Saint-Paul, on the northwestern side of the island, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is a highly popular weekend destination, boasting a beautiful lagoon and gorgeous white-sand bea…

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Close to Saint-Paul, on the northwestern side of the island, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is a highly popular weekend destination, boasting a beautiful lagoon and gorgeous white-sand beaches. Once a sleepy fishing village, Saint-Gilles is now Réunion's most popular resort, attracting crowds of visitors intent on enjoying its wealth of leisure activities, watersports and lovely beaches. Snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming are all highly recommended here, but those tired of the beach can head to the Garden of Eden, a lovely botanical garden with roughly 700 species of tropical plants. Saint-Gilles also has plenty of hotels and restaurants, though these tend to get crowded at peak holiday periods and over weekends.