Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
St-Philippe
POP 5000
Vegetarians will reach Shangri-la in St-Philippe, the self-proclaimed capital of
vacoa
. No
joke - no less than 5000 visitors turn up to join St-Philippois townsfolk for the 10-day
Fête
du Vacoa
in August.
The only town of consequence in the Wild South (along with St-Joseph), St-Philippe
has a wonderfully down-to-earth, unfussy ambience. Although this friendly little town is
devoid of overwhelming sights, it has a slew of (good) surprises up its sleeve and is op-
timally placed for explorations of the coast and forays into the Hauts. Oh, and St-Philippe
lies in the shadow of Piton de la Fournaise.
Sights
Le Jardin des Parfums
et des Épices
( 0692 66 09 01;
http://jardin.ep.fontaine.pagesperso-orange.fr
;
7 Chemin Forestier; adult/child €6.10/3.05;
tours 10.30am & 2.30pm)
Inland between Le Baril and St-Philippe, don't miss the 3-hectare
garden, Le Jardin des Parfums et des Épices. It contains over 1500 species in a natural set-
ting in the Mare Longue forest, 3km west of St-Philippe. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic
guides present the island's history, economy and culture through the plants; tours are in
French.
GARDENS
Sentier Botanique de Mare Longue
A few kilometres further up from Le Jardin des Parfums et des Épices is the Sentier Bota-
nique de Mare Longue. This pristine forest has an end-of-the-world feeling that will ap-
peal to those in search of hush. From the car park you can tackle one of the three interpret-
ative trails in the primary forest.
GARDENS
Eco-Musée de St-Philippe - Au
Bon Roi Louis
( 0262 37 12 98; 1 Rue de la Marine; adult/child €5/2; 9am-noon & 2-4.30pm Mon-Sat)
The small Eco-
Musée de St-Philippe - Au Bon Roi Louis, a few doors down from St-Philippe's town
MUSEUM
