Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nature is not the only drawcard. The Cirques are also of strong historical interest. They
first began to be settled by
marrons
in the 18th century, and their descendants still inhabit
some of the wild remote villages of the Cirques. The people residing here are an inde-
pendent and unhurried lot, adamantly tied to their
îlet
(village) and their traditions.
Each Cirque has its own personality - try to include all three of them when planning
your trip.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cirque de Cilaos
The setting couldn't be more grandiose. Think snaggle-toothed volcanic peaks, deep rav-
ines and forests that are straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. At times, swirling
banks of cloud add a touch of the bizarre. A sweet sprinkling of secluded hamlets top off
this area's indisputable 'wow!' effect.
Thrill-seekers, rejoice: the Cirque de Cilaos is the mother of all canyoning experiences
on the island, with three iconic canyons that are set in some of the most impressive
scenery in Réunion. Hiking is also extraordinary.
To get here, clunk in your seatbelt and take a deep breath: the RN5, which connects St-
Louis with Cilaos, 37km to the north, is Réunion's premier drive (and that is saying a lot).
Snaking steeply around more than 400 twists and turns along the way up into the amphi-
theatre, it provides vista-point junkies with a steady fix.
Bon voyage!
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
ÎLET CHICOT
You can get a better understanding of the environment and traditional life of the Cirque de Cilaos by visiting
Îlet
Chicot
( 0692 72 27 17; admission €2, hut per person incl breakfast €15, with half board €40; 10am-3pm
Tue-Sun) , which can be reached by foot only. The Hoarau family aims to give you a sensitive introduction to the
vie lontan
(traditional life of yore). Their property is reached after an easy 10-minute walk from the D242, about
6km from Cilaos (look for the sign on the right). It features an organic garden with fruit-bearing trees, medicinal
herbs and aromatic plants. Wanna go bush? Stay in one of the three
ti cases
(huts), which are constructed using
vetiver straw. They're simple, but it's wonderful to be able to linger amid the beauty of the natural surroundings
and enjoy the jaw-dropping views over Cilaos. The lack of electric lights makes for great stargazing.
Getting There & Around
