Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0262 31 48 92; rratane@gmail.com; 2 Impasse des Vacoas, Vincendo; mains €14-23; lunch Mon & Wed-Sun,
dinner Thu-Sat)
Housed in a lovely family villa just back from the main road, this is a charm-
ing restaurant specialising in
métro
fare (the chef has worked in France) and authentic is-
land cuisine. Dishes such as the
poulet pays rôti façon du chef
(roasted chicken flavoured
with island spices) and
andouillette
(chitterlings) will please every palate.
Basse-Vallée & Cap Méchant
The Basse-Vallée area is known for its production of baskets, bags (called
bertels
), hats
and other items from
vacoa
fronds. It's also famous for its rugged coastline; head to
Cap
Méchant
(it's signposted), one of the eeriest landscapes in the Wild South, with huge lava
fields, windswept black cliffs, rows of
vacoa
trees and the mandatory picnic shelters.
There's an excellent coastal path along the sea cliffs (bring sturdy shoes).
Sleeping & Eating
Gîte de Montagne de Basse Vallée
( 0262 37 36 25; Route Forestière, Basse-Vallée; dm €16-18, dinner €18)
This simple
gîte de montagne
is
about 8km above the village of Basse Vallée, along the Route Forestière de Basse Vallée.
It comprises six- to eight-bed dorms. Bookings must be made through the Centrale de
Réservation - Île de la Réunion (
Click here
)
or any tourist office on the island, but if you
turn up without a reservation and there's space, the caretaker will probably let you in.
GÎTE
€
Ferme-Auberge Le Rond
de Basse Vallée
( 0692 69 65 51; Route Forestière, Basse-Vallée; d incl breakfast €40, dinner €22; )
Another great place
to commune with nature, further up the Route Forestière. There are four rooms with
spick-and-span bathrooms in a Creole-style building in harmony with the environment.
The restaurant is across the road and features regional dishes with authentic flavours, in-
cluding - you guessed it -
vacoa
.
INN
€
Coco Vanille
( 0692 53 92 72, 0262 93 18 76; 68 Rue Labourdonnais, Basse-Vallée; d incl breakfast €60, dinner €15; )
This laid-back B&B is a good deal with cool rooms, small bathrooms, no decor to speak
B&B
€€
