Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0262 20 24 82; 28 Rue de Paris; admission €2; 9.30am-5pm Tue-Sun)
Housed in the former bish-
op's palace, built in 1845, this museum hosts Réunion's most important collection of mod-
ern art. The more high-profile works may include paintings, sculptures and ceramics by
Picasso, Renoir, Gauguin and Matisse (the works exhibited change every three months).
You can also see a few paintings by the Réunionnais poet and painter Léon Dierx
(1838-1912).
L'Artothèque
GALLERY
( 0262 41 75 50; 26 Rue de Paris; 9.30am-5.30pm Tue-Sun)
This contemporary art gallery
hosts changing exhibitions of works by local artists and those from neighbouring coun-
tries. It's housed in a handsome pale-yellow villa.
Maison Carrère
( 0262 41 83 00; 14 Rue de Paris; admission €3; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat)
This meticulously restored
mansion dating from the 1820s is a beautiful example of Creole architecture, with its elab-
orate verandah and intricate
lambrequins
on the front of the eaves. It does an excellent job
of explaining the city's colonial past. It also houses the tourist office.
MUSEUM
Musée d'Histoire Naturelle
( 0262 20 02 19; Jardin de l'État; admission €2; 9.30am-5.30pm Tue-Sun)
Go eye to eye with lemurs
and other stuffed specimens in this museum located in the Jardin de l'État. Besides im-
pressive lemurs, you'll see a good insect and bird collection on the 1st floor.
MUSEUM
Jardin de l'État
GARDENS
(Botanical Gardens; 7am-6pm)
Created in 1763, the attractive Jardin de l'État, at the
southern end of Rue de Paris, is a good place to recharge the batteries and be introduced to
a variety of tropical plants and trees. The Musée d'Histoire Naturelle stands at the far end
of the gardens.
Le Barachois
WATERFRONT
