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Cascade Délices
In the Quartier-Français district, Cascade Délices is another easily accessed waterfall. Its only 4m high, but the jungle-like setting will appeal to nature lovers, and you can dunk yourself in the cool water.
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Jardin des 5 Sens
This pretty little botanical garden of indigenous Rodriguan plants is an interesting way to spend an hour, not to mention a good initiative. Time your visit to coincide with lunch at the attached Chez Jeanette .
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Anse Réunion
True, Anse Réunion, south of La Passe, hardly compares to Grand Anse or Anse Source dArgent – there is usually algae drifting along the shore – but its an easy walk from town and a pretty place to watch the sun set.
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Thermal Bath
Visitors can see the ruins of the old baths, which were in use until 1948. They are found in a ravine a 10-minute walk west of town (walk past Le Relais des Cimes hotel; its signposted). Its a quiet and leafy spot.
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Îlet
The landscape surrounding the hamlet of Îlet-à-Vidot, about 2km from Hell-Bourg, is little short of breathtaking. The iconic, flat-topped Piton dEnchaing, covered with thick vegetation, seems to stand guard over the town.
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Chapel and Shrine of Marie Reine De La Paix
The modern chapel and shrine of Marie Reine de la Paix is a popular spot for prayers, and the ornamental gardens offer views over the city. During Pope John Paul IIs visit to the island he officiated his first Mass here.
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Covered Market
Housed in a metallic structure dating from 1856, the small covered market is a great place to wander if youre after fresh fruit, vegetables, local spices and herbs, vacoa bags and the usual assortment of Malagasy crafts.
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Former Hôtel de Ville
Many consider the neoclassical Former Hôtel de Ville, at the north end of Rue de Paris, to be the citys most beautiful building; its certainly very imposing, with its regimented columns, balustrades and jaunty clock tower.
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Conseil Général de la Réunion – Direction de la Culture
You cant miss this villa – its one of the most elegant of St-Denis Creole buildings, with a superb varangue (veranda), finely crafted lambrequins (filigree-style decoration), and a manicured garden with a fountain. It was built in 1804.
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Grande Anse
Grande Anse is an immense swath of sand that glimmers with a fierce but utterly enchanting beauty. No other beach provides the same opportunities for long, solitary walks. Its not suitable for swimming, though, due to strong currents.
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Anse Louis
To the north of Anse à la Mouche the coast is a bit less glam but appealing nonetheless. If you can find access to Anse Louis, where the super-swish Maia resort lies, youll be rewarded with a superlative beach you never knew existed.
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Mauritius Aquarium
This small aquarium has a decent collection of tropical fish (including clown fish), but the real stars are the white-tip reef shark and the two hawksbill turtles. Theres daily shark feeding at 11am and fish feeding three times daily.
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Le Labyrinthe En Champ Thé
At the entrance of Grand Coude, Le Labyrinthe En Champ Thé is worth an hour or so for anyone interested in tropical flora, with an emphasis on tea. This botanical garden is the only place in Réunion where tea is cultivated. A 50g bag costs €10.
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Rivière du Mât
From Îlet-à-Vidot, the asphalted road continues for about 2km until a small parking lot. From here, a steep footpath leads in about 15 minutes to the Rivière du Mât valley. Cross the footbridge and youll soon reach a lovely picnic site by the river.
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Maison du Volcan
Everything you need to know about Piton de la Fournaise and volcanoes in general should become clear at the excellent Maison du Volcan. It was completely refurbished and modernised in 2013, so you can expect state-of-the-art facilities and animations.
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Bé Mahot
About 3.5km from Hell-Bourg, Bé Mahot is a cute hamlet thats well worth visiting. With its clunky, colourful Creole houses clinging on the hillside and fantastic vistas of the Cirque, its scenic to boot. There are several picnic sites along the road.
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Maison Deramond
This colonial structure dating from the 1830s was the family home of former French prime minister Raymond Barre and the birthplace of the poet and painter Léon Dierx. Its well worth a peek for its well-preserved architecture and harmonious proportions.
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Anse Petite Police & Police Bay
From the village of Quatre Bornes, a road leads to Police Bay, a splendid, blissfully isolated spot at the southern tip of the island. Sadly, the currents are too dangerous for swimming, but the beaches are great places to watch the surf (bring a picnic).
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Jardin de lÉtat
Created in 1763, the attractive Jardin de lÉtat, at the southern end of Rue de Paris, is a good place to recharge the batteries and be introduced to a variety of tropical plants and trees. The Musée dHistoire Naturelle stands at the far end of the gardens.
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Anse Intendance
A top-end resort lines the northern portion of this high-profile beach. The southern end is almost deserted and offers good swimming and snorkelling. From the police station at Quatre Bornes, take the 1.7km concrete road that leads down to Anse Intendance.
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