Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Plage de Trou d'Eau; mains €14-18; breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Visitors and locals flock to this casual
little
paillotte
that serves a wide range of dishes, including tapas and seafood. More than
the food, though, it's the beachside location that's the real draw.
FRENCH
€€€
Le Copacabana
( 0262 24 16 31;
www.copacabana-plage.com
; 20 Rue des Mouettes; mains €16-28; lunch daily, dinner Fri &
Sat, bar 9am-late daily; )
This trendy bar-restaurant has a peerless position right on the
beach. Enjoy well-prepared fish and meat dishes as well as excellent homemade desserts.
Le Copa is also the most fashionable spot for a night-time tipple or a refreshing fruit juice
any time of the day. The catch? It's pretty expensive.
TOP OF CHAPTER
St-Leu
POP 25,000
Since the good old days of the sugar industry ended, forward-looking St-Leu has trans-
formed itself into a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. This is the place to get high - legally:
no doubt you'll be tempted to join the paragliders who wheel down from the Hauts to the
lagoon. Scuba divers also swear that the drop-offs here are the best on the island.
And culture? St-Leu has a smattering of handsome stone buildings dating from the
French colonial era, such as the
mairie
(town hall) and the church opposite. Other attrac-
tions are the shady park along the seafront and a protected beach that is popular with fam-
ilies.
St-Leu is also optimally placed for explorations of the coast and forays into the Hauts.
Sights
Kelonia
( 0262 34 81 10;
www.kelonia.org
;
Pointe des Châteaux; adult/child €7/5; 9am-5pm)
Don't miss this
ecologically conscious marine and research centre dedicated to sea turtles, about 2km
north of St-Leu. It features exhibits, interactive displays and big tanks where you can get a
close-up look at the five different varieties of turtle found in the waters around Réunion,
especially the green turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
. Kids love the place but adults will also be
blown away by this well-organised venture. Guided tours are available.
MUSEUM
