Natural heritage of Reunion island
With a reputation as an "island of grand spectacle," Reunion justified its nomination as World Heritage by Unesco through outstanding landscapes dominated by two volcanic mountain ranges and three majestic cirques. Listed a UNESCO World Heritage site since August 2010 as the "Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion island," the island indeed offers a spared natural endemic treasure to be protected. Already in 2007, when creating the National Park of Reunion, UNESCO stated it particularly appreciated its "subtropical forests, tropical rainforests and moorlands forming a remarkable mosaic of ecosystems and visually attractive landscapes" and recognized that the whole "significantly contributed to the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity."
Tour and tasting
In the Maïdo forest Isabelle and Jean-Jacques welcome you to LA MAISON DU GERANIUM to discover the botanical treasures of Reunion Island. Around the copper still heated over a wood fire, watch a distillation in the purest tradition of Reunion. Guided tour of the distillery with tasting of geranium delicacies, essential oils for sale.
Hell-Bourg
In addition to the must-see visit of the MAISON FOLIO, its tropical garden is not less remarkable and typical of the Creole art of living in the village Hell-Bourg in the XIXth century, with its guetali and fountain. Reunion's nature is found in this lush garden that combines medicinal herbs, perfume and aromatic plants, giant ferns, anthuriums, rare orchids, bamboos ...
A few figures
* Reunion Island hosts 230 unique plant species. Indeed, Reunion's location and very particular landscapes give it different climates that create ideal habitats for a wide variety of endemic plants. If you compare the number of endemic species per unit area with other islands known for their biodiversity, it is three times higher than Hawaii and five times higher than the Galapagos Islands.
The region east of the island is particularly concerned; annual rainfall averages over 10 meters in some places, that is 5 times more than in France!
* The National Park covers about 40% of the surface of the island.
* With an eruption every 9 months on average, the Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet.
Visitors will benefit from this natural wealth while hiking (botanical theme hikes are offered), and they are sure to deepen their knowledge by visiting parks, botanical gardens and trails where all kinds of endemic plants are exposed and detailed. Guides will explain the specificity or the medicinal value of certain plants, as it is true that the art of tisaneurs is still alive (just look at some market stalls) in Reunion.
- Accomodations
- Vehicules
- Restaurants
- Leisures
- Visits
- Well-being centers