Meeting - Reunión

Introduction Meeting is an island of France located in the southwest of Africa. Surrounded by Indian Ocean, Reunion is located west of Madagascar, near Mauricio. This island of volcanic origin forms a French overseas department, so it has the same rights as the rest of the country and is part of the European Union, despite its distance from the metropolitan territory.

Capital Saint-Denis Idiom French Surface 2511 km² Population 840 974 (2013) Currency euro Time zone UTC 4 Telephone prefix 44

Understand

The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. Réunion officially became French territory in 1663. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration complemented by the influx of Africans, Chinese, Malays and Malabar Indians gave the island its ethnic mix . The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route. It continued to be a colony until 1946, when it became a "department" of France.

Weather

The island's climate is tropical. The time of September to mid-December is probably the most favored time to go, as rain is rare at that time and temperatures are mild both on the beaches and in the hills, so you can hike in the mountains and enjoy the seashore without problems of humidity or heat.

January to March is the rainy season, sometimes marked by cyclones. The island has two climatic zones: the greener windward side (east) that receives moist air from the Indian Ocean, and the notably drier leeward side (west) protected from humid air by the mountainous landscape.

History

The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. Reunion officially became French territory in 1663. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration complemented by the influx of Africans, Chinese, Malays and Juggling Indians gave the island its mix ethnic. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route. It remained as a colony until 1946, when it became a Department of the French Republic.

The locals are proud to commemorate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery (which occurred on December 20, 1848), in a festival known locally as "La Fête Cafre" (a "kaffir" is the name given to a indigenous inhabitant of the island, now widely used to address a friend). This gesture towards the past is still very present in today's society, and as such, the word "slave" ("slave") is a grave insult to a Réunionnais.

Today, the population of Reunion is highly varied in terms of ethnic origin, each group inheriting its respective traditions.

Cities

• Saint-Paul
• Saint-Gilles: on the west coast, where all the white sand beaches are.
• Saint-Pierre: the second largest city on the island of Reunion.
• Saint-Denis - the capital of the island of Reunion.

• Saint-Leu : a consolidated city and a surf destination.

• Etang-Salé : a small town on the west coast with one of the black volcanic sand beaches.
• Saint-Benoît : where the cooperative vanilla factory is located.

To get

Reunion is often said to have more than a good number of cars, and it's true. At certain times, road networks can be packed with vehicles, but to overcome this, all a visitor needs to know is when to travel and how to travel.

The national route ( route nationale ) that runs around the island is double lane for each direction in many places. The rest of the roads are generally paved, with one lane in each direction.

Passport and visa

Although Reunion is an integral part of France, it is not part of the Schengen area, so it has its own immigration and visa rules. Citizens of Mauritius, for example, do not need a visa for short visits to Reunion, but they do need a visa to visit mainland France.

By plane

The main airport is the airport Roland Garros international, near Saint-Denis (RUN^IATA). The vast majority of intercontinental flights arriving in Reunion come from mainland France, with a handful of other airports across the Indian Ocean. The airlines that fly to Reunion are the following:

• air France operates direct flights between Paris Orly and Roland Garros.
• Air Austral is the main local airline, serving numerous destinations in Africa and the Indian Ocean (South Africa, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte and Seychelles), as well as Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Air Austral also offers transfers to the TGV-Air service for various destinations within France, and the Thalys line from Paris to Brussels. If you are coming from Asia, there is a seasonal service from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
• Air Madagascar flies from Roland Garros to Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Nosy Be. Air Madagascar stops at Roland Garros in its Antananarivo twice a week to Guangzhou, China, but does not have traffic rights to carry passengers between Saint-Denis and Guangzhou.
• Corsair offers a weekly service to Paris Orly, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse.
• Air Mauritius has several daily flights to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, Port Louis, Mauritius. The trip takes only 45 minutes.
• French blue offers service to Paris-Orly.

For North American travelers, traveling directly to Reunion can be very expensive (over $ 2,000 economy class and booked months in advance!) Due to lack of competition and lack of codeshare agreements with Air Austral in Paris-CDG. The cheapest way to travel from North America to Reunion is to book a flight to Mauritius and then book a separate flight for about US $ 180-300 round-trip between Mauritius and Reunion, which are less than an hour away by air. Mauritius has several major airlines such as British Airways, Emirates, South African Airways, Turkish Airways, Air France (to Paris-CDG, instead of Paris-Orly), KLM (seasonal), Lufthansa (seasonal) and Austrian (seasonal) , so rates are competitive at around US $ 1200-1800 and may involve shorter stopovers.

The small Pierrefonds airport On the southwest side of the island near Saint-Pierre it has daily flights to Mauritius on Air Austral and Air Mauritius, plus a seasonal Air Austral flight to Rodrigues.

Boat

• From Reunion, it is possible to reach Mauritius and Madagascar by boat. Two ferry services offer these routes, the Mauritius Pride and the Mauritius Trochetia. They are at 4, avenue du 14-Juillet 1789, 97420, Le Port, telephone: 0262.42.19.45.
• Throughout the year, several cruise ships dock on the island. More information should be sought through individual cruise companies.

Move

It is often said that Reunion has more cars than its fair share, and it is true. At certain times, road networks can fill up with vehicles, but to overcome this, all the visitor needs to know is when to travel and how to do it. The national highway (route nationale) that surrounds the island has two lanes each way in many places. The rest of the roads are usually paved, with one lane in each direction. There have been plans to build an airway to ease traffic congestion, but as of 2018 those plans have been shelved.

In taxi

Hailing a taxi on the island is quite expensive, especially when leaving the airport (expect to pay € 15).

By bus

Intercity bus trips around the island are carried out by Car Jaune ("Yellow bus", the buses are easily recognizable by their yellow color). There are 13 lines. Apart from these buses there are also local buses. Most lines operate between 06:00 and 18:00.

• Car Jaune, Ligne B, from Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre and vice versa, Par les Bas (by the coast). It operates approximately every hour and a half.

By car

The Bras de la Plaine bridge crosses a gorge 110 meters above the river. There is a main road around the island (74 km of four lanes) and another road from Saint-Pierre to Saint-Benoit ( route des plaines ) through the interior of the island.

Due to the volume of cars, traffic jams often occur, so you should avoid traveling during peak hours.

Due to the volcano, the road is sometimes closed along the east side of the island.

The four-lane road between La Possession and Saint-Denis, known as route du littoral , runs between an unstable cliff and the sea. Due to the rain (mainly between December and March), this road can be "basculée", which is changed to a two-lane road. Expect traffic jams in such circumstances. It is being replaced by a remarkable 5.4 km, 1.7 billion euro viaduct a few hundred meters from the coast that is planned to open in 2020.

The Route des Tamarins It is a motorway that connects Saint-Paul and Étang-Salé and offers spectacular views of the coast. With its completion, a 4-lane divided highway now runs through three-quarters of the island.

Don't underestimate the driving times, even if the island seems small. Major roads, especially on the west coast, tend to get stuck; also the streets of Saint Denis. The inland roads are mountain roads, some with many curves and steep slopes.

Car rental is available.

Trekking

Reunion Island has almost 1000 km of hiking trails, with an astonishing variety of landscapes for an island. The circuses , the plains and the volcano they have been classified as a French national natural park. The best hikes are probably in the Mafate circus and in the volcano (see Piton de la Fournaise). The exceptional Mafate circus has no roads and has about 800 inhabitants.

You can find accommodations in the main hiking spots.

Aircraft

Some helicopter and airplane companies carry out tourist flights. These depart very early in the morning (to avoid clouds and fog at height). There are also some helicopter trips, for example to La Nouvelle in Mafate.

Do

The island of Reunion has almost 1000 km of hiking trails, with a surprising variety of landscapes that have been classified as a French National Park. The best excursions are probably in the Piton de la Fournaise volcano and the Mafate Valley, where you can find hostings.

Reunion is an island to discover by exploring its mountainous landscape and outdoor activities. Réunion's typical landforms "Pitons, circuses and remains of the island of Réunion" have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the world heritage covers more than 40% of the island.

Trekking

The next two hiking trails (quite ambitious) ( Grande Randonnée ) offer breathtaking views of the island.

• GR R2 This route crosses the island from Saint-Denis in the north to Saint-Joseph in the south. Reserve about a week to cover the 130 km of the route. Edit
• GR R1 It is a little shorter, around four days, and covers Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie craters. Edit

An alternative is to walk in Mafate, without marked trails. Visit the villages (known locally as îlets ) to get a feel for car-free settlements in beautiful surroundings.

Le Cirque de Cilaos

It can be accessed from Saint-Louis by the 420 curved road (aux route 420 turns). While in this cozy town sitting at the foot of the cliff Piton des Neiges, make sure you don't miss the Museum of the embroidery ( musée de la broderie ). https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2015-05-28-LaReunion_0555-0208+PitonDeLaFournaise_05.JPG

• Cilaos .A paradise for hikers of all levels. With the circuit of the volcano, the most famous hike is definitely the ascent of the Piton des Neiges. To get the most out of the hike, make sure you are well equipped: solid walking shoes, water, cereal bars, dried fruit, an IGN map of the St-Pierre region, and a second pair of lighter sandals for severe weather or downpours. . The slopes are very well marked and maintained, so it is quite difficult to get lost. The remaining walking time (for the competent hiker) is also marked on each sign. To warm up first, start with an easy hike (like the Bras-Rouge waterfall) before tackling a visit to Mafate (Marla by the Taïbit pass) or the Piton des Neiges. Cilaos is also a crossing point for the GR1 and GR2 hiking trails. Edit
  • La Roche Merveilleuse It is a rocky promontory in the heart of the forest, where you will be greeted by an impressive panoramic view of the circus and its villages. It can be reached by car in 15 minutes on paved roads. Arrive on the route du Bras-Sec and follow the signs to the forêt de cryptomérias (Japanese cedar forest).
  • Ilet-à-Cordes . Located in a clearing at the foot of the Grand-Bénare, Ilet-à-Cordes was a popular sanctuary for the indigenous "Marrons Noirs". Currently he is dedicated to agriculture (lentils, citrus and viticulture). It is a well-deserved place to rest after a trip up the mountainside, where locals warmly welcome visitors and chat warmly about their daily lives. Another place to visit is the ancient thermal baths at the Bras-Rouge waterfall. The trip leaves a little higher than La Chapelle, approximately 5 hours.
  • The Bras-Rouge waterfall . Located in the Bras-Rouge gorge, on the old road to Mafate, the waterfall has excavated several pools that are ideal settings for picnics. Iron oxide colored water is one of the main attractions. An easy family walk, with numerous viewpoints along the gorges. For a round trip, reserve two and a half hours. To get there from the thermal pools, follow the well-indicated path (called chemin des porteurs ) flanked by flowers and greenery.
  • Palmiste-Rouge by the Sentier des Calumets. The Sentier des Calumets is one of the most interesting ways to discover Palmiste-Rouge (but if you are short on time, it is possible to get there by car from the Cilaos road in St-Louis). It is a short walk from the end of the town of Bras-Sec. The route passes through forests, winds its way through the foot of Bonnet-de-Prêtre and descends towards the small "village at the bottom of the valley". Nothing difficult here other than it is slippery at times, especially in the morning. After about 2 and a half hours of walking, you will come across a typical mountain village with good restaurants. Return by car (or hitchhiking) or wait for the bus back to Cilaos. Of course, it is also possible to return on foot. Expect a 5½ hour drive.
  • La Chapelle . Before the road, the journey to Ilet-à-Cordes could only be made on a path that sloped steeply down to the Bras-Rouge River before climbing back up to the plateau. In the river bed, huge basalt slabs form a curious and impressive element nicknamed "La Chapelle". It is a two hour drive in each direction. A great hike for good walkers. Just before entering Cilaos, take the route right in front of the cirque bakery (which sells snacks at reasonable prices). Then follow the signs away from the main road. Sturdy shoes and plenty of water are essential. Also, consider bringing a second pair of shoes to cross the waterfall, and don't be afraid to take a dip under the waterfall!
  • Le sentier des Sources . This is a quiet little hike, which takes about an hour and a half from the town of Bras-Sec. Make sure to bring water.
  • Walks in the woods . Cilaos has an important coverage of both primitive forestry (behind the church) and lands reforested with Japanese cedars (Mare-à-Joseph canton, Bras-Sec route). There are many well-maintained and well-marked trails here leading to waterfalls, pools, and picnic spots that will leave you with plenty of options. Information can be obtained at the Tourist Information Center in the city center.
  • Notre-Dame-des-Neiges and the Père Boiteau . Among the island's sacred architecture, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges is one of the jewels in the crown. The nave and chancel are noteworthy, and the carpentry is the work of craftsmen from Rivière-Saint-Louis. The most illustrious figure in the church was Father Paul Boiteau, who arrived there in 1927 and died in 1947. A mystical ascetic, he was very close to the poor. He is buried in front of the church and is remembered for the good works he bestowed on his followers. The church can be seen from afar, so finding your way shouldn't be a problem.

The cirque of Mafate

• From Cilaos, take the Taïbit pass (it takes about 5 hours from Cilaos to Marla, 4 hours from the îlet de Cordes). The circus is also accessible from the Cirque de Salazie along the Col des Bœufs, and there is even a guarded car park (unfortunately a bit expensive: around € 10 / day). By this pass, you can join La Nouvelle in a two and a half hour hike through the tamarind forest, or Marla in 3 hours. Set aside a few days to enjoy this place to its full potential.

It is also possible to get there by the GR2 route from the north (canalisation des Orangers), or from Maïdo by the narrow path that goes down through the "La Brèche" pass, with a drop of 750 m. It's a pretty strenuous ride, 2 hours down and 3 hours up (minimum), with dizzying drops. About halfway, be sure to stop and take in the views, above a 1500m drop.

The Mafate circus is home to many villages or “îlets”. Apart from La Nouvelle (1470 m), there are Marla (1600 m), Trois Roches (1220 m), Roche Plate (1110 m), Grand-Place (530 m), Îlet des Orangers (1000 m), Îlet des lataniers ( 650 m), Îlet à Bolsa (850), Îlet Malheur (828 m), Aurère (930 m) and Cayenne (530 m). Although seemingly close to a bird's eye view, the journey from town to town requires a few hours even for competent walkers. It is also possible to arrive by helicopter from St-Denis or St-Giles. Try Helilagon, Altiport de l'Eperon-97460 Saint-Paul, tel. (0) 2.62.55.55.

Le cirque de Salazie

• The entrance to the Cirque de Salazie opens on the east side, allowing the easterly winds from the ocean to bring dew and thus making this region one of the most lush on the island. The name of the caldera is potentially derived from the Malagasy word salazy , which means "good camp". The various villages can be easily reached from Saint-André.

The main towns are Salazie (the administrative center), Hell-Bourg (a pretty flowery town) and Grand-Ilet.

• Salazie , The wedding veil: Waterfall near Cilaos

This is one of the most spectacular places on the island. The east side of the caldera is carpeted with lush vegetation through which a multitude of waterfalls open. The area can be reached by crossing the river by a suspended walkway and following fields of watercress and chayotes (a green fruit in the shape of a pear). A good route would be to cut your way through the vegetation and reach the base of the waterfall, a perfect place for a picnic.

• Hell-Bourg :

Starting from Hell-Bourg, some long routes can take you to the "trou de Fer" (literally 'the iron hole'), or to the "Piton des Neiges". Alternatively, you can opt for a shorter hike to "Les Trois Cascades" ('the three waterfalls'), taking just two or three hours for an easy round trip; you will still need to be equipped with decent footwear.

• Grand-Ilet it is the starting point of a winding route to the "col de la Fourche" ('the forked pass'). There you can leave your car in the parking lot and continue along the GR1 signposted route, which goes down to Mafate through the tamarind forests.

Le Piton des Neiges

• The highest point of the island, the Piton-des-Neiges attracts certain enthusiasts so much that it keeps them coming back again and again. It can be reached from a few different places (Plaine-des-Cafres, Hell-Bourg, gite de Bélouve), with the climb from Cilaos being probably the most popular option. However, it is still not an easy adventure: it takes a good 8-hour day from Cilaos for even competent hikers to complete a full round-trip journey. The rest point at the Caverne Dufour

However, to make the most of it, it is advisable to plan a night stop at the Cottage of the Caverne-Dufour (3 km from the top). The hosts are nice people and after a traditional rum-based fruit punch, a simple meal will make you forget about the fatigue of climbing.

At dawn (around 03:03), put your shoes back on, marvel at the night sky that appears to be a million miles from today's polluted metropolises, then climb higher. Walk by torchlight along the marked trails that lead to the summit, where the sunrise will leave an indelible mark on your memory. Words cannot begin to explain the magnificence of this experience. The descent back to the farmhouse is no more surprising to most visitors than the initial ascent: it would be the first time the track you followed in pitch black before has been seen in daylight. The natural environment makes it clear that you are on a (extinct) volcano.

• Route from Cilaos

Take the Route de Bras-Sec where the roads start. The view is completely clear and the desert is astonishingly beautiful. A good place to make a pit stop midway would be the "Grand Matarum" cabin. Only for very good climbers! The farmhouse accepts reservations (several weeks in advance): Maison de la Montagne (Tel: 02.62.90.78.78), or at the Cilaos tourist information center 02.62.31.71.71, then reserve for a meal and breakfast with the hosts in the rural house (02.62.51.15.26), 24 hours before. The return trip to Cilaos can be done with a single push (descending 1800 m in altitude). Try taking your knees easy!

• The other route up is from the Bélouve gite: reserve a 4-6 hour walk to get to the refuge hut in the Dufour cave; It is a longer and more tortuous route than the approach from Cilaos.

The road around Bélouve gets very muddy from time to time. The final route is to approach from Hell-Bourg via Cap Anglais: wait 6 or 7 hours for this route, which covers 1500 meters of altitude.

Le Piton de la Fournaise

• The python de la Fournaise (oven peak). Make sure you go to the caldera on a good day and leave early in the morning. The 14.5 km circuit takes about 5 hours of walking.

The first surprise is in the step " Nez de bœuf "(2136 m), where, after walking through lush vegetation, you can see a panoramic view of the" plaine des sables "(plain of sands). This plain of black sand from volcanic activity gives us a clue of what is to come. A road (or more precisely, a dusty track), riddled with potholes, leads us to" Pas de Bellecombe "(2311 m). A short walk of a few meters from the car park takes you to a beautiful view over the" Fournaise ".

It is a breathtaking sight when you see this lunar landscape presented before your eyes. A path (which is the only way to reach the Fournaise) descends about 150 m in altitude on about 580 steps (we count them!). Fortunately, there is a railing along the entire route, because the "steps" are far from being like normal stairs: they are 10 cm to 40 cm high and move over rocks, dirt, tree roots, concrete and pebbles. However, the descent down the caldera wall takes you through tamarinds and is not an overly unpleasant route.

Once at the bottom, the first stop is at the " Formica Léo ", a small inactive volcano since 1753. From its reddish tip emerge about 20 m of ash thrown by the successive eruptions of the volcano during its activity. years.

The entire trip is well marked with white markers. These white markers, approximately every 2m apart, are essential in the event of a sudden haze - they will guide you back to where you started. Be careful not to stray too far from them, as if you get lost there is very little chance that you will be rescued before the next morning, and the nights up there are pretty cold!

After Formica Léo, the signs take you to the top, on hard and smooth earth, formed by old lava. A small sign indicates that it is made of "Lave Cordée" (basaltic lava, smooth and flowing, also known as "Pāhoehoe" lava). From there, the track progresses through a more lunar landscape, and begins the long ascent, traversing more recently produced lava.

Orientation is not a problem, all you have to do is follow the crowds of visitors. Drink a lot though, and don't be fooled by the fresh air at this 2200m altitude. The sun, even through fog, is very strong, so protect your head and use sunscreen sparingly on all parts of the body exposed to the sun (including the legs). Otherwise, get ready for a few tough sunburn days.

After 2 hours of walking from the parking lot, you will finally arrive (about a third of the way along the route) to the top of the Bory crater, at 2631 meters above sea level. This small crater, only 350 m in diameter, has been inactive since 1971. It is an ideal place to take some photos or videos to immortalize the moment.

Following the white markers, the walk continues towards the Dolomieu crater (1 km in diameter), which is still active, as the fumes will recall. This itinerary covers the crater and the route passes through recent lava flows. You will surely feel the heat in your legs and the crunching underfoot (as if you are walking on pieces of glass). Some signs remind you of the danger of going down the rock face to get closer to the crater. Positioning certain seismic probes around the crater rim will give your mind a little rest.

Once you are done at the top, it is only another 2 and a half hours of hiking to get back to your vehicle, not forgetting that you have to go back up those 580 steps again!

Diving

There is also good diving off the coast of Reunion.

Eat and drink

Thanks to its history, Réunion cuisine is a mixture of different cultures: French, Indian, Chinese and African.

The typical dishes are the honey and the rougail, which are a meat or fish cooked in sauce and eaten with rice.Typical menu card Depending on the season, there are many tropical fruits available, such as lychees (December), mangoes, pineapples (locals say that the Victoria types in Reunion are the best in the world), bananas, papayas ...

At lunchtime, you can have many kinds of sandwiches and samosas in the snack-bars (cheap but not very balanced, except for the spicy "achards sandwich"), and finding restaurants easily (average USD10-15). Other local specialties are chocolates , which are spicy and salty fritters, the piments farcis , which are stuffed hot peppers, and the bouchons , which are bites of meat or fish that are wrapped in rice paste and steamed before being served with soy sauce.

Réunionnais cakes are usually quite thick and sweet. There are cakes made with sweet potatoes (gâteaux patates) and (for a little adventure) cassava (gâteaux cassava) rhom arrangé on reunion (rum) Reunion's kitchen is pretty safe, but ask for some dishes to make sure they're not too spicy. The spice level is below that of much of Indian cuisine.

The main local drink is rum. Lower-quality rum is made from fermented cane sugar molasses and is not aged (therefore, its color is light). It is often drunk as rhum arrangé , rum flavored with fruits and spices. The rum plucked Fruity and sugary, it's easy to drink, but watch out for the high alcohol content! The highest quality rum is rhum agricole , made with fermented cane sugar juice. It is transparent or aged in oak barrels, which gives it a brown color. The local beer at the reunion

Sleep

There are many types of possible meeting accommodation: ordinary hotels; Gîtes d'Étape privately managed; Gîtes de Montagne are mountain cabins or lodges located in the appropriate central areas and operated by the Reunion Island Tourist Board ; The youth hostels are managed by Auberge de jeunesse de la Réunion. There are five youth hostels on Reunion Island; Hell Bourg, Bernica, Entre Deux, Saint Denis and Cilaos.

external links

• Wikipedia has an article on Meeting.w: Meeting
• Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Meeting. Commons