The capital of Reunion is exactly the place to handle unique culture on this island.
On just one street you’ll see a Buddhist pagoda, Mosque, Hindu Temple and Cathedral, and if you think that’s multicultural, wait until you visit the Grand Marché or tuck into some Creole cuisine. The city has museums and parks and brims with lovable Creole architecture. But it won long before you polished for Reunion, Reunion's famous wildlife and volcanoes.
And for that, you’ll have adventure sports companies, flight tour operators and wildlife experts at your disposal. Discover the best to do in Saint-Denis.
[toc]
1. Rue de Paris
North to the south in Saint-Denis’ Centre-Ville, this street is the perfect introduction, not just to the city, but the culture of the island of Reunion. The grander mansions and government buildings have verandas overlooking beautiful, florid gardens, which are a trademark of the island.
Guided walks are provided by the tourist office, and it pays to join because of the historical stories you can get: There is Villa Déramond-Barre, the birthplace of former French Prime Minister Raymond Barre, home the brightly colored white church of Noor-e- Mosque, and the birthplace of poet and painter Léon Dierx.
The more noteworthy places all have little information plaques to clue you in.
2. Rue du Maréchal-Leclerc
From east to west, this street is a shopping center in Saint-Denis and intersects the streets of Paris.
But like its neighbor, it can tell you a great deal about the island: You have the mosque, the Shri Kali Kovil Kampal Tamil Temple and a Chinese Pagoda on the parallel Rue Sainte-Anne.
“Melting pot” doesn’t begin to sum it up! But also on this street are the Petit and Grand Marchés, where the cosmopolitan spirit goes into overdrive, were people of all sorts of extractions, Indians, Madagascans, Creoles, rub shoulders and sell their wares.
3. Musée Léon-Dierx
In the former Episcopal Palace on Rue de Paris is the Saint-Denis fine art museum. It has been here since 1912 and takes the name of the famous son Reunion, Léon-Dierx, who died the same year.
It’s a rather small museum, but that doesn’t stop it from packing a serious punch: There are paintings by Cézanne, Gauguin and Renoir, as well as a bronze by Picasso.
You can also soak up the Reunion culture, a bit by learning about François Cudenet, the photographer and the painter who helped bring cinema to the island in the early 20th century.
4. Jardin de l’État
In the center of town are a botanical garden overflowing with plant life, boasting avenues of palms, a Wallace fountain, and water gardens. Now, the thing that makes the park so interesting is that none of what you see occurs naturally on Reunion.
Everything was imported in the 18th century to see how it would fare in Reunion’s climate. This was all started by the horticulturalists Pierre Poivre, whose bust is just inside the entrance on Rue de Paris.
There are more than 50 tree species and more than 1,950 species of other plants in this marvelous environment.
5. Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de La Réunion
In the old Conseil Colonial building inside the park is the natural history museum for the entire island, and its specimens mostly come from the Western Indian Ocean. The zoological displays recall a different time, as they’re nearly all taxidermies and might not be to everyone’s taste.
Even so, you’ll get a great summary of the island’s birdlife and minerals, and the museum goes into depth about the tiger sharks that lurk just off Reunion’s coast. But the museum’s building and history make up for some of the exhibits.
6. Saint-Denis Cathedral
Full of poise, the city’s low-key cathedral was built over a few decades in the middle of the 19th century. It replaces a church that has been in the same place for about a century. What you’ll encounter is a demure and well-formed classical building without anything that will blow you away, although there are a few features to hold your interest.
Just outside, see the bust of the priest abolishing Alexandre Monnet, who took him out of Reunion in 1847. In the nave, the pulpit is remnants from the previous church and is carved from Indian teak Degrees, while the altar is made of marble teak shipped from Camargue in southern France.
7. Maison Brasseries de Bourbon
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, you can book a guided brewery tour only on Reunion. Its most famous beer is the blonde lager, Dodo, which is stored pretty much everywhere on the island.
You’ll find out some of the secrets about the beer and where the ingredients come from. Rice, sorghum and spring water are all local, while malt needs to be imported. Your guide will walk you through the finest details of everything from fermentation to bottling, on a two-hour visit.
And the whole thing ends with a crisp bottle of Dodo!
8. Le Barachois
The northernmost district of Saint-Denis was also the first to be settled. And although this name applies to the entire area that lies on this cape, most people use it to talk about the beautiful plan lying in front of the ocean.
From here, you can look west to the La Montagne county or look out over the ocean, in humble knowledge that because the north of this point is nothing but thousands of kilometers of ocean.
The water taps are a reference to the history of La Barachois, while the buildings and cafe terraces invite tourists and locals to gather and relax in this memorable setting. The northernmost district of Saint-Denis was also the first to be settled.
And although this name applies to the entire area that lies on this cape, most people use it to talk about the beautiful plan lying in front of the ocean.
From here, you can look west to the La Montagne county or look out over the ocean, in humble knowledge that because the north of this point is nothing but thousands of kilometers of ocean.
The water taps are a reference to the history of La Barachois, while the buildings and cafe terraces invite tourists and locals to gather and relax in this memorable setting.
9. Parc du Colorado
You don’t have to stray too far from the city to get a feel for Reunion’s natural splendor. With its trails and stables, the Parc du Colorado is a springboard for many a hike or horseback ride.
The park is located on high ground next to the city and on clear days gives you incredible views of Saint-Denis that you can share on a picnic. The rest of the time you can experience what it’s like to be in the clouds, quite literally.
There’s also a generous playground for kids, and you’re right by the Golf Club Colorado, also blessed with those awesome panoramas.
10. Artothèque
On the streets of Paris de Paris is a Belgian art library, inside a beautiful 19th-century Creole mansion. It was established in 1991 to help cultivate contemporary art on the island.
At that time it has gathered more than 2,000 works from Reunion and other places in the region. Although it is not something you can participate in, the library has made money by allowing Reunion residents to hire some of its artworks for a modest fee.
Artothèque is also a place where artists and their audience can meet, attend conferences and put on temporary exhibitions.
More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Rennes
from : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-saint-denis-706958.html
from Wiki Topx
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét