Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cradled by soaring mountains, with major peaks looming on the horizon. Vineyards and
fields where lentils are grown complete the picture.
Sleeping & Eating
Gîte d'Étape et Chambre
d'Hôte de l'Îlet
( 0692 64 74 48, 0262 25 38 57;
www.gite-ilet.com
; 27 Chemin Terre-Fine; dm/d incl breakfast €20/50; )
No
typo - here the
coup de grâce
is the sparkling pool (one of only two swimming pools in
the Cirques), which is even heated during the colder months! The wood-panelled rooms,
which can sleep two to six, are nothing fancy but well maintained. Solange Grondin, your
amenable hostess, prides herself on her farm cooking, which usually means chicken,
brèdes chouchou
(a mix of local vegetables) and homemade cakes.
GÎTE
€
Chez Hélène Payet
( 0692 68 49 68, 0262 35 18 13; 13 Chemin Terre-Fine; d incl breakfast €44)
Madame Payet has four re-
assuringly Air-Wicked rooms in an alluring tropical garden. The food (dinner €23) is
more poultry with homegrown vegetables than creative concoctions, but it gets rave re-
views from travellers.
B&B
€
Le Tapacala
( 0692 69 57 50; 2c Chemin Les Orangers; d €139)
This surprisingly modern venture is the pride
and joy of Mickael Gonthier and his spouse, your hosts, who can speak English and are
well clued up about the island. The three rooms are huge and tastefully designed, with
clean lines and elegant furnishings but, despite the initial 'wow' factor, we can't help
thinking that it's overpriced by Cilaos standards. Dinner costs €25.
B&B
€€€
CAFE
€
Le Reposoir
( 0692 70 08 15; Chemin Terre-Fine; 7am-7pm Mon-Sat, to 1pm Sun)
This modest cafe-bar serves
snacks and sandwiches, and has a limited selection of goods if you're fixing your own
food.
Bras-Sec
POP 600
