Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
colourful religious festivals. For visitors it's an opportunity to discover a Réunion you
never imagined.
Tourism in this area remains on a humble scale, with no star attractions. However, it's
worth taking a few days to explore the quiet recesses of this less-visited part of the island
where you can experience Réunion from a different perspective.
DON'T MISS
TAMIL FESTIVALS
If you happen to be around Ste-Suzanne and St-André at certain periods of the year, you'll discover a very exotic
side of the island, with lots of colourful festivals organised by the Tamil community. If you're about, be sure to
join in the heady hype of these local festivals. In January, don't miss
Tamil fire-walking
ceremonies, when parti-
cipants enter a meditative state and then walk over red-hot embers as a sign of devotion to various deities. Thou-
sands of goats are slaughtered as offerings and are distributed among the participants. Another must-see is the
Cavadee festival
, which usually takes place in January or February. In October or November, make a beeline for
Divali
(aka Dipavali), the Festival of Light. Dancers and decorated floats parade through the town centre. Visitors
are welcome. Contact the tourist office in St-André for specific dates.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ste-Suzanne & Around
POP 20,000
The seaside town of Ste-Suzanne is usually glimpsed in passing by most tourists on the
route down the coast, which is a shame because there are charming pockets in the area
that beg discovery, including the splendid Rivière Ste-Suzanne, which is both a play-
ground for outdoorsy types and a hot spot for sunbathers and picnickers.
Sights
Lighthouse
Next to the tourist office, the small lighthouse - the only one on the island - is worth a
gander. It was built in 1845. It's no longer in operation.
LIGHTHOUSE
Chapelle Front de Mer
Notable religious buildings in Ste-Suzanne include the Chapelle Front de Mer, an ornate
Tamil temple built on a pebbly beach north of town (it's unsigned).
TEMPLE
