Our guide to activities in Saint-Denis

Outdoor activities

• Barachois : Located on the seafront, it offers charming walking paths along the lagoon. You can stroll along admiring the view of the ocean, boats and birds. There are picnic areas where you can relax and enjoy a meal al fresco. There are also children’s play areas where they can have fun in complete safety. It’s an ideal place to share a convivial moment with family and friends. Discover the various monuments and statues that bear witness to Réunion’s history and culture. Some of them are dedicated to local personalities or important events on the island.

• Parc de la Trinité : Known for its lush green setting and peaceful atmosphere, offering a place to relax right in the heart of the city. Ideal for a family picnic or simply to enjoy the greenery. It has children’s play areas, benches and shaded areas where you can relax. It’s also an ideal place for sport, with its different landforms, including a beautiful hill with a breathtaking view over Saint-Denis.

• Parc du Colorado : The park offers a number of hiking trails that allow visitors to explore these fascinating landscapes and enjoy panoramic views of the island’s south coast. The trails are generally well-marked and accessible at different levels of difficulty, offering options for hikers of all abilities. In addition to the trails, the park has picnic areas where you can stop and enjoy an al fresco meal while admiring the surrounding scenery.

• Sentier de la Providence : This 10-kilometre trail takes around 3 hours to complete. The trail is located in the rainforest and offers beautiful views of the city and the sea. The trail is also very busy, which makes it safe. It’s a great place to walk, hike or jog. It’s also a great place to observe Réunion’s flora and fauna.

You can find more information on this site.

Cultural discoveries

• Rue de Paris : This is considered to be one of the most emblematic and historic streets in Réunion’s capital. Rue de Paris is a succession of remarkable buildings, particularly on the left-hand side. You’ll be able to admire historic monuments, colonial houses, museums and Creole villas, many of them very well maintained as they have become the property of private companies or government departments such as the Département.

 

• Jardin de l’État : This is the oldest botanical garden on the island, and one of the most beautiful. This historic park covers an area of around 7 hectares and offers a haven of greenery in the heart of the city. The Jardin de l’État is home to a wide variety of plants, including palms, banana trees, orchids, ferns and medicinal plants. It also houses a natural history museum, a library and a greenhouse.

• Natural History Museum : Founded in 1855, this is the island’s oldest natural history museum. The museum houses a collection of over 100,000 specimens, including fossils, minerals, insects, fish, birds, mammals and reptiles. The collection is organised into several sections, including the geology section, the palaeontology section, the entomology section, the ichthyology section, the ornithology section, the mammals section and the reptiles section. The museum also offers temporary exhibitions and educational activities for children and adults. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

• Domaine de Beaubassin : Nestling in an enchanting setting, this Creole mansion with its rich traditions offers an immersion in the history and atmosphere of the ‘rényon lontan’, Réunion’s ancient times. It’s a place steeped in memory and authenticity, where Réunion’s past comes to life. Every architectural detail bears witness to the local cultural heritage and craftsmanship.

Check out their facebook page.

Leisure and entertainment

• Cité des Arts : major cultural centre created in 1990 by the municipality of Saint-Denis. It’s a place dedicated to artistic creation and dissemination, helping to promote and support the local cultural scene. The Cité des Arts offers a dynamic space where different forms of artistic expression come together. It can host art exhibitions, theatrical performances, dance shows, concerts, film screenings, workshops and many other artistic and cultural events.

• Bowling and cinémas : Bowling City is located in the commune of Sainte-Clotilde, near the centre of Saint-Denis, and is open from Monday to Sunday. Game prices vary according to the number of lanes and the time of day. They also offer birthday and corporate event packages.
  Cinéma Lacaze and Cinéma Le Palme are two cinemas located in Saint-Denis on Réunion Island. They contribute to the cultural life of Saint-Denis by offering a varied programme and enabling local residents to enjoy the latest films on the big screen. They also offer entertainment and relaxation for audiences of all ages.

Bowling Page .

• Escape Game and VR Paradoxe : Enigma Run is an escape game located in Saint-Denis. It offers 4 different rooms, each with its own theme and level of difficulty. The rooms are designed to be solved by teams of 3 to 5 people. It’s an ideal activity for groups of friends, families and businesses.
  ‘VR Paradoxe’ is an establishment offering virtual reality sessions where customers can try out different experiences, from video games to immersive simulations, virtual tours or virtual reality films. Open to children aged 8 and over, booking required.

Visit the Enigma Run website.

• Aquanor and Magic Jump : Aquanor is a popular aquatic complex offering a host of activities for water-lovers. Whether you’re with family, friends or just looking for a refreshing day out, Aquanor is sure to meet your expectations. However, it is now closed, and is due to reopen in late 2024 – early 2025.
  Magic Jump offers a wide range of attractions and activities centred on trampolines. Visitors can enjoy large areas of interconnected trampolines, providing a dynamic and fun jumping experience for people of all ages. This is the Magic Jump website. 

Markets and gastronomy 

• Marchés forains : These are vibrant places where locals and visitors alike gather to discover and buy a variety of local produce, from fresh food and clothing to handicrafts and souvenirs.       

                 

Marché forain du Chaudron : This market is located in the Chaudron district of Saint-Denis. It is open every Wednesday and Sunday morning, from 6am to 12pm. The Chaudron market is one of the largest in Réunion and is renowned for its diversity. It offers a wide variety of fresh produce, including fruit, vegetables, flowers, meat, fish, spices and handicrafts.

Marché forain de la Providence : This market is located in the Providence district of Saint-Denis. It is open every Saturday morning from 6am to 12pm. The Marché de la Providence is a smaller market than the Marché du Chaudron, but it offers a wide variety of fresh produce and craft products.

• Carre Cathédrale : This historic district is located around Saint-Denis cathedral, the oldest cathedral on the island. The area is lively and popular, with many shops, restaurants and cafés. It is also a meeting place for locals and tourists alike.

Seminares and events

For business travellers, the Exsel Créolia and Austral hotels have well-equipped seminar rooms. Here you can hold conferences or workshops while enjoying the island’s inspiring surroundings.