Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
LE SOUFFLEUR
Le Souffleur, a hidden attraction known only to locals, requires a bit of gumption (and a 4WD) to tackle. But if
you ask anyone in the know, they'll all say that it's well worth the adventure.
Situated on the coast about halfway between Souillac and Blue Bay, this geological anomaly is a half-formed
grotto on the side of a cliff that spouts a geyser-like fountain of water (up to 20m in the air!) when the seas are
rough. As the waves crash against the cliff the seawater pushes through a crack in the bluffs like a blowhole on a
whale. If the seas aren't particularly rough during your visit, there's a natural land bridge nearby that's worth a
camera click or two. It was formed when the roof collapsed on another naturally formed grotto.
To reach the super-secret souffleur, head for the Savannah sugar estate near the village of L'Escalier, cross the
estate, then follow the snaking track once you reach the sea. Even if you don't seek permission to cross the sugar
estate, which you probably should, we highly recommend bringing a local with you - otherwise you may never
find the place.
Beaches
Gris Gris Beach
Head east along the road past the Robert Edward Hart museum and you come to a grassy
cliff top, which affords a view of the black rocky coastline and broken reef. A path leads
down to the wild and empty Gris Gris beach; a wooden sign warns of the dangers of
swimming here. The term
gris gris
traditionally refers to 'black magic', and looking at the
tortuous coastline, you can see how the area got its name. Then again, another story sug-
gests that the beach was named after the puppy (!) of a French cartographer who visited in
1753.
BEACH
Sleeping & Eating
The best sleeping option in the area is the Andréa lodges bordering the Union Ducray
Sugar Estate. The other choices are rather lacklustre and attached to popular eating estab-
lishments. If you're eating by the sea in Gris Gris, opt for something with seafood - it was
probably caught offshore about 12m away.
Andréa & l'Exil
OFFLINE MAP
CABINS
€€
(Relais des Lodges; 471 0555;
www.relaisdeslodges.com
;
s incl half board Rs 3000-4110, d incl half board Rs
4620-6340; )
The properties of Andréa and l'Exil each have a collection of 10 lovely
cottages. The units at Andréa, along the sea, have gabled roofs and glass-panelled walls
