On the west coast of Reunion Island is the famous holiday resort of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Attracting a good number of tourists every year, it is THE place to be for a dynamic holiday under the Reunionese sun. Are you tempted? Then pack your bags!
Ah, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains... Just by mentioning its name, we feel that this village has everything to please us. We can already imagine the sun caressing our skin, the fine sand rolling under our feet, and the scent of holidays tickling our nostrils. Located on the territory of Saint-Paul, the magnificent seaside resort of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is one of the main ones on the whole island of Reunion. Appreciated as much by the locals as by the visitors, this pearl on the seaside is located at about thirty kilometres south of Saint-Denis. Modern and dynamic, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains was completely rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century after being totally destroyed in a fire. Take the time to stroll through its streets full of small typical shops, to discover its colorful markets and restaurants that will undoubtedly make you want to sit down for an introduction to the delights of local cuisine. Exotic local products, samoussas accompanied by a salad of palm cabbage and a glass of freshly squeezed cane juice will be on the menu! As well as the gratinated pain bouchon, the zourites stew, the mythical rougail saucisses, the chicken curry, the chilli sweets, the chouchou en gratin and other sarcives which will not fail to make your taste buds travel!
On the must-see side of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, the Botanical Garden occupies a place of choice: created in 1990, the Garden of Eden is a splendid English-style garden which houses more than 700 tropical plant species on more than 2.5 hectares. Still on the town side, the marina is also worth a visit for its splendid boats, and its aquarium which will allow you to discover the fauna of the lagoon and of Reunion Island thanks to more than 180 different species, such as sharks, fish, corals, seahorses and lobsters. After a beautiful day, there is nothing better than a night excursion in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains to discover its restaurants, bars and nightclubs which attract a large number of holidaymakers curious to taste the delights of the island's nightlife.
Also, a stay in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains would not be perfect without a tour of its beaches. Stars of your holidays, the beaches of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains are perfect for idleness as well as for the practice of a whole range of nautical activities. Located on the Côte sous le Vent, protected from the sea spray, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is bathed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, making it a pleasant place to swim. Some beaches are family beaches, while others, such as the Plage des Roches Noires, are particularly recommended for water sports activities such as surfing, diving, sailing, fishing or kayaking. Boat trips, discovery of the summer geranium, hikes towards the Piton Maïdo, the Piton de la Fournaise or the Piton des Neiges will also be on the agenda for this stay in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains!
