Dreaming of a road trip in Réunion? The intense island has spectacular roads winding between mountains, lagoons and picturesque villages. By car, set off to discover breathtaking panoramas, mysterious cirques and idyllic beaches. Follow our tips for an unforgettable experience and make the most of the island’s treasures.
Réunion Island is full of magnificent landscapes. Up high or by the sea, you can discover a great variety of scenery. In the Highlands, mountains, cirques and ramparts create a breathtaking setting. In the lowlands, let our roads guide you to our magnificent beaches.
Réunion has a very rich culture thanks to its mixed heritage, with a great legacy in agriculture, food and music.
Planning a stay on Réunion Island? Discover the must-see places to visit alone, as a couple or with family.
Discover the 5 most beautiful roads to drive in Réunion on your road trip
To make the most of your stay, choose car hire in Réunion. You can schedule your rental and collect your vehicle from our branches or directly fromRoland Garros airport in Saint-Denis.
1 - The beach road for a sea-focused road trip
The beach road links L’Étang-Salé to Saint-Paul, passing the island’s finest beaches over 60 km. It’s not unusual to see whales during the season from June to October.
Each of these beaches has its own personality!
- The volcanic beach of L’Étang-Salé with its black sand.
- Saint-Leu beach, famous for its turtles and ideal for surfers.
- The beaches of L’Ermitage and Boucan Canot, near Saint-Gilles and very popular with locals, perfect for picnics with friends or family.
2 - The Route des Laves for a road trip like no other!
In the east of the island, the Route des Laves is named after the lava flows that sometimes cover it: when the Piton de la Fournaise erupts, the lava sometimes crosses the road, creating new landscapes where nature reclaims its rights.
By hiring your vehicle from one of our branches, you can discover our island in all its splendour.
3 - The Route des Plaines for its coolness
The Route des Plaines links the South to Saint-Benoît. It’s the only road crossing the island from the south-west to the east for your road trip, passing between the cirques and the volcano, and linking Le Tampon to the island’s heights.
All along this road, you’ll see the vegetation and climate change, alternating between mild and sunny, cool and humid, until you reach the lush vegetation of the east coast.
This road also gives access to the volcano via the Plaine des Sables, so you can see the craters of Réunion’s volcano, the Piton de la Fournaise.
This changing landscape will surely be a big contrast. In scenery and climate, you’ll feel you’re no longer in Réunion, as if you were on another planet with a unique landscape.
4 - The Cilaos road
National road 5, nicknamed “the road of 400 bends”, leads to the Cirque de Cilaos. The town of Cilaos is the second most visited place on the island after the West coast beaches.
Cilaos, at the heart of Réunion, is a charming spa town reached by a single road. Close to the majestic Piton des Neiges, at the centre of the island, it is well known for its vineyards and hot springs.
Cilaos is also a hikers’ paradise. Take a nature break on your road trip in Réunion! With family or friends, explore the trails of this impressive cirque, accessible even to the youngest.
5 - The Route des Tamarins
34 km long, this road runs halfway up the slopes from Saint-Paul to L’Étang-Salé. It is named after the many tamarind trees that line it.
This expressway will be a must on your road trip in Réunion! It crosses the west coast from L’Étang-Salé to Saint-Paul in just 20 minutes.
There are many rest areas with panoramic views, such as the Aire du Tabac in La Saline, a magnificent spot to watch the sunset. The Route des Tamarins also takes you up high, giving access to must-see places in the Highlands and on the coast.
With these 5 road ideas, you have everything you need to discover Réunion Island! Our rental branches are located all over the island (Saint-Paul, Sainte-Clotilde, Saint-André and Roland Garros airport), where you can hire the car you need from our wide selection of vehicles.
Don’t wait: hire your vehicle now and discover our island!
4 branches including Roland Garros airport, unlimited mileage included, clear rates and a real person who knows the island. We do more than hand you the keys: we advise you to suit your plans, from the coast to the cirques.
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