Discover Reunion Island in photos

Les plus belles photos de La Réunion, cascade des Aigrettes

Discover La Réunion, the jewel of the Indian Ocean, through our selection of 25 breathtaking photos that capture the unique soul of this paradise island.

Welcome to your virtual plane ticket to the enchanting island of La Réunion. This volcanic land, born of the wrath of the Indian Ocean, is a veritable explosion of beauty around every corner, with breathtaking landscapes that make you feel like you’re exploring another planet. Through our selection of 25 of the most beautiful photos of La Réunion, you’ll almost feel the salty wind on your face, the scent of tropical flowers in the air and the sound of waves breaking on coral reefs.

Imagine yourself admiring the roaring Piton de la Fournaise, strolling along the shady paths of the Cirque de Salazie or lounging on the golden beaches of Saint-Gilles. Let our photos of La Réunion transport you to these and many other places, awakening your explorer’s soul and your thirst for adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a dreamer in search of your next destination, you’ll find a world in miniature waiting for you here, with wonders at every turn. Enjoy your virtual visit, until you set foot on Reunion soil in person.

Saint-Denis, the capital of Reunion Island

Immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of the island with Saint-Denis, Réunion’s cosmopolitan capital. As you stroll through the colorful streets lined with Creole huts, you’ll feel the bustle of urban life intermingling with the island’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. Saint-Denis Cathedral, the Jardin de l’État with its exotic collection of palms and plants, and the Petite-Ile market, vibrant with flavor and color, are just a few of the city’s treasures. Our photos illustrate this microcosm of stories, spices and smiles, a city where Creole, French, Indian and African merge into a fascinating mosaic.

Saint Denis

The Barachois of Saint Denis – Chile | Shutterstock – AsiaTravel

Saint Denis

Saint Denis from the air – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – julienjanuskol

Saint Denis

Church of Notre-Dame de la Délivrance – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – julienjanuskol

Saint Denis

Small convenience store – La Réunion | Shutterstock – Dmitry Chulov

Saint Denis

Roland Garros Memorial Statute – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Kletr

Piton de la Fournaise, sulphurous volcano

Prepare to be dazzled by the majestic Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes and undoubtedly Réunion’s most spectacular jewel. Located in the south-east of the island, this sleeping (but not too sleeping) giant offers a spectacle both frightening and fascinating, creating a lunar landscape dotted with volcanic cones and cooled lava flows. Imagine climbing the slopes of this colossus, feeling the heat escaping from the cracks in the ground and admiring the breathtaking view of the deep blue sea on the horizon. These photos of Piton de la Fournaise capture the raw power and untamed beauty of this natural phenomenon, a must-see experience if you ever set foot on Reunion soil.

Piton de la Fournaise

Hikers climbing Piton de la Fournaise – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – JeanLucIchard

Piton de la Fournaise

Crater of Piton de la Fournaise – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – JeanLucIchard

Piton de la Fournaise

Lava flow at Piton de la Fournaise – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Zamir Popat

Piton de la Fournaise

Panoramic view of the Dolomieu crater – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – infografick

Piton de la Fournaise

Crater landscape – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Jan Krcmar

The coral reef

Dive into a fascinating underwater world as you explore the coral reef of La Réunion. A rainbow of marine life unfolds here, from brightly colored corals to tropical fish playing hide-and-seek in the crevices. The reef, a veritable haven of biodiversity, stretches out like an underwater jewel, a world in itself where time seems to stand still. The photos below take you on an aquatic adventure, capturing the dazzling beauty and astonishing diversity of this coral reef. You’ll see sea turtles gliding gracefully by, fish in a thousand colors and maybe even a solitary whale shark.

Récif corallien

Reunion Island coral reef from the air – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Kletr

Récif corallien

Giant blue clam in the coral reef – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – antoinee

Récif corallien

View of the sea with colorful corals on the volcanic barrier at Langevin – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Endemik Studio

Récif corallien

Azure blue lagoon from the sky – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Aymeric Bein

Récif corallien

Magnificent marine life – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Aymeric Bein

Tamil temples on Reunion Island

Reunion Island’s cultural heritage is reflected in its Tamil temples, sanctuaries vibrant with color and energy. These sacred edifices, adorned with elaborate sculptures and painted in vivid hues, bear witness to the richness of the island’s Tamil community. Their altars overflow with fragrant offerings, from garlands of flowers to juicy fruits, in homage to Hindu deities. Our photos will take you inside these temples, where you can almost hear the sacred chants echoing and smell the incense burning. Reunion’s Tamil temples add yet another nuance to the island’s extraordinary cultural mosaic.

temples

Narassingua Peroumal Tamil Temple in Saint Pierre – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – JeanLucIchard

temples

Magnificent colorful Hindu temple – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Charles-Henry THOQUENNE

temple

Hindu temple of Saint Pierre – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – denismartin

temple

Temple du colosse in Saint André – La Réunion | Flickr – Nolivfr

temple

Temple Narassingua Perournal – Reunion Island | Flickr – Michel Thomas

Reunion Island National Park

We end our selection of photos of La Réunion with a few from the Parc National de La Réunion, a natural wonder listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This verdant setting is home to an astonishing diversity of landscapes, from lush forests to dizzying peaks, from roaring waterfalls to tranquil valleys. Here, endemic flora and fauna flourish, offering an unparalleled hiking experience. Imagine yourself overlooking the majestic cirques of Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie, listening to the calls of exotic birds and breathing in the pure mountain air.

Parc national de la réunion

Heart of Reunion National Park – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – andrmoel

Parc national de la réunion

Natural waterfall and rainforest – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – Cristian Mircea Balate

Parc national de la réunion

Mountain range in the Parc National de la Réunion – Reunion Island | Shutterstock – vitaprague

Parc national de la réunion

La caverne de la Glacière – La Réunion | Flickr – Michael Kemper

La plaine des sables – La Réunion | Flickr – Michael Kemper

By taking a virtual tour of Reunion Island through these photos, we hope to have aroused your curiosity and your desire to discover these landscapes for yourself. Which part of Reunion Island do you most want to visit?