Musee Leon Dierx
The Musee Leon Dierx, in Saint-Denis, houses an impressive
collection of modern art, with works by some of the great masters
of the genre such as Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso, Vlaminck and
Morisot. Much of the collection was once that of the French art
dealer, Reunion-born Ambroise Vollard, and was donated to the
museum by Vollard's brother, Lucien, after Ambroise's death in
1939. The museum is a must for art lovers and is lauded as the best
art collection in the Indian Ocean. Tours of the permanent and
temporary exhibitions can be arranged but must be booked in
advance. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Address:
28 rue de Paris
Leon Dierx
Thierry Caro
Natural History Museum
The Museum d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum) of
Saint-Denis opened its doors in 1855 and was the first of its kind
in the Indian Ocean. The museum houses fascinating exhibits of the
region's creatures, from shells to rare birds and mammals, as well
as books and engravings. In the 1940s, cyclones destroyed much of
the museum's collection and it was forced to close its doors for
several years, but today it boasts roughly 42,000 specimens. The
museum is within the State Gardens (Jardin de l'Etat), a beautiful
botanical garden home to numerous species of trees from around the
world and numerous beautiful plants, ponds and walkways. A
particular favourite in the gardens are the flowering lotus
plants.
Address:
1 rue Poivre, Jardin de l'Etat
Natural History Museum
B.navez
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Close to Saint-Paul, on the northwestern side of the island,
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is a highly popular weekend destination,
offering a beautiful 12-mile (20km) lagoon and gorgeous white-sand
beaches. Saint-Gilles was once a sleepy fishing village, but now it
is Reunion's most popular resort, attracting crowds of visitors
intent on enjoying the leisure activities, watersports and lovely
beaches. Snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming are a must, but
those tired of the beach can head to the Garden of Eden, a lovely
botanical garden with roughly 700 species of tropical plants.
Saint-Gilles has plenty of hotels and restaurants, though these
tend to get very crowded at peak holiday periods and weekends.
Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains marina
Damien Boilley
Like the rest of Reunion, Saint-Denis has a tropical climate.
November to April is hot and rainy, while the rest of the year is
slightly cooler and drier. In Saint-Denis the summer temperatures
average between 73°F (23°C) and 84°F (29°C), and in winter
temperatures average between 64°F (18°C) and 75°F (24°C).
Saint-Denis is home to the Indian Ocean's only tropical cyclone
monitoring centre, although the island itself is seldom affected.
The cyclone season runs from mid-November to mid-April and the
island is occasionally affected.
Saint-Denis is a pleasant holiday destination year-round and is
never cold, though it may be humid and rainy. Travellers generally
prefer to visit in the cooler dry season, between May and
October.
Aéroport de la Réunion Roland Garros
Location: Roland-Garros Airport is located approximately five miles
(8km) east of Saint-Denis.
Time: GMT +4.
Getting to the city:
Taxis are available from the airport, as is an airport bus to
and from Saint-Denis that operates every day. The trip takes about
20 minutes.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies at the airport include Europcar, Hertz,
Sixt, Budget and Avis.
Facilities:
The airport has a snack bar, restaurants, ATMs, a bookshop, cell
phone rental shop, boutiques, a restaurant, post office, a
children's play area, a bank and a bureau de change.
Parking
The first 15 minutes are granted free of charge. Thereafter,
parking charges start from €1 for every 15 minutes, up to a daily
maximum of €35.
There is a good local bus service that operates within
Saint-Denis, while another bus service links the city to the rest
of the island. The roads are well maintained and car hire agencies
are available. Renting a car is a good option for those who want
the freedom to explore independently, but really shouldn't be
necessary for a stay in the capital alone. Taxis can also be found
at taxi stands or ordered by phone within the city. The historic
core and seafront area of Saint-Denis can easily and safely be
explored on foot.
A holiday in Saint-Denis, with its brasseries and bistros, cafes
and Creole character, is a great jumping-off point for exploring
this island paradise while absorbing the town's architectural
beauty, lively ambience, shopping for souvenirs (especially spices)
and sampling its many good restaurants. Anyone who is seeking a
tropical getaway with the added bonus of French flair, will enjoy a
holiday in Saint-Denis. The city is usually just a pit stop on a
Reunion itinerary, as the island's main attractions are not
actually in Saint-Denis, but the city is rather charming and worth
a day or two of exploring.
Tourist attractions in Saint-Denis include the Parc du Colorado,
a park and playground which is ideal for a picnic or a barbeque and
boasts beautiful views; the Jardin de l'Etat, a pretty little
garden in the heart of the city; the Musee Leon Dierx, with its
impressive modern art collection; and the Natural History Museum,
where visitors can learn about the animals, plants and geology of
Reunion. Of course, there are many glorious excursions possible
from Saint-Denis, which is best used as a travel hub for
explorations of the natural wonders of the island.