Tucked away from the wind and the sea swell, along the north-west coast of Réunion, the municipality of Saint-Paul offers a good many leisure and sightseeing opportunities to its visitors in search of a change of scene and a chance to unwind. Its vast territory indeed includes the island's most beautiful beaches. Those of Boucan Canot, L'Ermitage and Saline-les-Bains, to name but a few, will delight you with their fine sand and wonderful swimming waters! Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts can enjoy a range of water sports such as sea kayaking, sailing and snorkelling.
If you are in the area at the end of the week, don't miss the famous open-air market in Saint-Paul, which is held every Friday and Saturday morning on the seafront esplanade. Considered as one of Réunion's most picturesque markets, this colourful, flavourful event is sure to charm you, with its wonderful stands of local fruit and vegetables, spices, chilli peppers, honey and crafts. During your shopping trip, be sure to take a break and try the delicious chilli pepper sweets, samosas and other Creole specialities available there! A real treat…
Not far from there, you can take a little walk to the Saint-Paul wharf to admire the bay and the Indian Ocean, before heading to the charming Place du Général de Gaulle, located in the city centre, where you can not only see the elegant façade of the city hall but also relax near the fountain, in the shade of the trees and palms. Joggers and walkers will enjoy a trip to the Saint-Paul pond, a protected area and listed National Nature Reserve, or they might opt for a walk or run along the sea, maybe following the pleasant fitness trail in the national forest.
At the southern exit from the city, towards Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, lies the Saint-Paul marine cemetery, a particularly picturesque site and a listed historic monument. Established next to the ocean along a beautiful black sand beach, this unique place contains the graves of famous people like the poet Leconte de Lisle, the painter Arthur Grimaud or the pirate Olivier Levasseur aka La Buse (The Buzzard). Opposite the cemetery, on the other side of the main road, you can enjoy a very pleasant picnic in the Premiers Français cave park. This cavern, now closed to the public, is where the island's first French settlers are thought to have found refuge…
