Sainte-Rose is a coastal town of La Reunion, 30 km southeast of St. Benedict.
Its vast territory of 177 square kilometers, southeast of the island, rises to over 2600 m, it encompasses some of the Piton de la Fournaise and the eponymous volcano.
The northern boundary of the area consists of the East River, which descends from solid to empty into the Indian Ocean, the southern limit being occupied by the "Grand Brûlé", that is to say the coastal part caldera (circle-shaped depression) caused by the volcano.
This proximity to the Piton marked the landscape as the story of Sainte-Rose, which begins for its modern party in 1671 when it landed the Governor Jacob Hague and a Mr. Caron, which gives its name to the place. A port is equipped with a dock: it will be called Port Caron and Rose Wharf and the town, officially created after the Revolution becomes Sainte-Rose.
Meanwhile, concessions are granted, coffee trees are planted, then sugar and rice cane crops are emerging.
The productions have passed by sea and by rail.
To date, the city has about 6700 inhabitants, and highlights its coastline as the presence of the volcano to attract tourists. This does not, however, remain cautious: the last eruption has strongly impacted the city only dates "only" 1977...
The Heritage Sainte-Rose consists firstly of sites built the unique history, and of course, on the other hand, by nature all the more amazing that shaped in part by successive eruptions in the heart of a lush vegetation and bordered by the sea.
Regarding the former, include first church Notre-Dame des Laves, a modest pace of building, painted pink, which remains one of the witnesses of the eruption of 1977. A casting washing was introduced into the nave of 3 m long, and then solidified, the remainder church saver. Since the early 2000s, was implanted a nearby statue of the Virgin umbrella, previously installed near the Grand Brûlé but in turn threatened by lava flows. The church is also decorated with stained glass evoking since the 1977 drama created by master glassmaker Guy Lefevre.
See also, the navy Sainte-Rose (fishing port) that overlooks the Corbett monument, a mausoleum dedicated to a British officer. The site is protected as historical monuments.
The suspension bridge over the East River, completed in 1894 (now banned and has been replaced by a concrete bridge in 1979), and the ruins of the field of Roseraye, a former sugar factory whose chimney called the Ravine -Glissante is listed on the Inventory, complete this overview.
Before discovering the natural charms of the town, a visit will shortly be made to the "Interpretation Center coastline volcanism" housed in the RADIANCE (Espace Citoyen Book and Arts for All). Y will be offered a history of eruptions and a scientific approach to this phenomenon. 2020 Opening current information: +33 2 62 47 37 06 ou +33 2 62 47 20 22.
Place next to sports and leisure activities "nature".
Hiking routes or allow to understand the natural wealth of the town, between green areas and lunar landscapes (resulting lava flows).
The easiest route is the Laves Local RN2 of the island, which crosses including the coastal part of the Grand Brûlé, southeast of the territory.
More simply, another suggestion is to follow the path of fishermen along the coast.
Other sites require rather more effort and equipment, especially if one wishes to go on the heights of Pas de Bellecombe, a pass from which one has a common point of view on and the coast.
In any case, hikers must to contact the Tourist Office in particular to ensure the absence of danger (during eruption) and on the terrain-related difficulties. Number of trails are however possible route to apprehend the "lava country" (one of the nicknames Sainte-Rose): maps and information at +33 2 62 46 16 16 ou +33 2 62 47 20 22.
Conclude by the site of Anse des Cascades, where a nearby coconut grove a small harbor and beaches (not recommended swimming as the sea is rough there).
In general, the rugged coastline Sainte-Rose is little suitable for swimming, but on the other hand, the fishermen find their happiness: inquire at +33 2 62 47 20 22.
