Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ST-DENIS
POP 140,000
Francophiles will feel comfortable in St-Denis (san-de-
nee
), the capital of Réunion. Ex-
cept for the palms and flamboyant trees to remind you that you're somewhere sunnier (and
hotter), St-Denis could be easily mistaken for a French provincial enclave, with a flurry of
trendy shops, brasseries, bistros and
boulangeries
(bakeries).
With most of Réunion's tourist attractions located elsewhere on the island, most visitors
only stay long enough to book
gîtes de montagne
(mountain lodges), pick up a few tourist
brochures and rent a car before dashing off to more magnetic locations. But St-Denis war-
rants more than a fleeting glance. Scratch beneath the French polish and you'll soon realise
that the city also boasts an undeniably Creole soul, with a portfolio of delightful colonial
and religious buildings and a casual multi-ethnic atmosphere.
If that's not enough, there are always epicurean indulgences. Sip a black coffee at a chic
pavement cafe listening to a
séga
or
maloya
soundtrack or indulge in fine dining at a gour-
met restaurant
.
