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Reunion - The severe island
Its grandiose landscapes, wild nature and magnificent walking routes have made its name, but Reunion, located in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar, is also an island that has taken advantage of its different racial mixtures.
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Volcano Piton de la Fournaise
© AFP
Ingredients of the Creole basic kitchen
The garlic, the hot peppers, the onions, the ginger, the lemon
© Hemis.fr
Beach of grande Anse
South coast
© Hemis.fr
'Bird of paradise' flower
Cirque of Salazie
© Hemis.fr
History and Geography
The severe island
The island of Reunion, which for a long time was a port of call on the route to India, became French in 1764. Formerly known as the Bourbon Island, it was renamed in 1794, in reference to the "meeting of the States-General". Also known as the severe island, Reunion has an exceptional mountainous and volcanic relief.
Cultural heritage
Tourism in the heart of the countryside
Event though is has a 210 km coastline, Reunion's drawing power is not simply its magnificent beaches and impressive cliffs. The island also attracts walkers with its green and grandiose landscapes and its mysterious natural cirques, like Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie, where they can find a varied flora: orchids, highland tamarins…
Exceptional sites
The Piton de la Fournaise
Reunion is a volcanic island and the Piton de la Fournaise, with its summit at 2,632 m, is still one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. If you climb up it you can admire sumptuous views punctuated by the canyons, deserts, waterfalls and still smoking lava fields that are the island's main attractions.
Gastronomy
The classics of the table in Reunion
Creole cookery is a flavoursome mixture of Indian, Chinese and African cooking. These influences and the quality of local products have given birth to delicious dishes such as bouchons, samosas, curries, rougails and the pâté réunionnais, served for special occasions.
Events and festivals
The Grand Raid
In the month of October each year, the Grand Raid is organised on the island of Reunion. For the hardiest, this 160 km foot race, which includes climbing the Piton de la Fournaise, crossing the natural cirques and finishing in Saint-Denis, takes about twenty hours. It is nicknamed the Madmen's Diagonal!
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