Saint-Benoît is the second largest municipality in Reunion with its 38 inhabitants and its area of ​​000 ha, slightly more than half of which is located in the heart of the National Park.

Saint-Benoît mango basin and panoramic view

St. Benedict

Here the precipitation has sculpted a particular relief. Thanks to its basins, waterfalls, primary forests but also its plant and animal species endemic to the Hauts, its wide expanses of sugar fields and its shady islets dedicated to fruit growing, the town stands out as a mecca for tourism in the East. The city is also famous for its bichiques, its shells and its litchis.

Crossed by the Marsouins River, the town is bounded by the Rivière des Roches and the Rivière de l'Est. The municipality thus offers access to multiple water points, ponds and waterfalls.

Ponds and waterfalls

The Blue Basin

The Blue Basin : a pool that lives up to its name. While there are many pools in the east of the island, few are so easily accessible!

Whitewater escape

For thrill-seekers, the Rivière des Marsouins and the Rivière des Roches are unmissable spots!  Rafting and aquatic canyoning are in the spotlight in the commune of Saint-Benoît. Several tourist actors offer a wide range of whitewater activities supervised by state-certified professionals and always in a friendly and friendly atmosphere.

Takamaka waterfalls

One of the essential sites of St-Benoît is indeed that of Takamaka. Carved into the eastern flank of the Peak of the Snows, the valley of Takamaka impresses with its vertiginous ramparts and its many waterfalls. Powerful erosion phenomena are at the origin of these almost vertical reliefs. Water, ubiquitous, is captured to produce electricity. It supplies two hydroelectric power stations.
Crossed by many hiking trails, several routes allow to reach the various dams of the Takamaka valley.

Great Pond

On foot or on horseback, nature lovers will also fall under the spell of the breathtaking natural water reservoir of the Grand Étang which was formed following a very old flow that obstructed the ravine of the Bras d 'Annette.

Grand Etang in Saint-Benoît
Saint-Benoît church of Sainte-Anne and Ilet Béthléem

Places steeped in history

Bethlehem Islet

The Bethléem islet runs along the Marsouins river, which makes it a site suitable for swimming and perfectly equipped for picnic. Easily accessible (30 minutes round trip), outdoor enthusiasts will quickly find themselves immersed in the heart of the lush vegetation of the east of Reunion Island.
Also a place of pilgrimage, there is the magnificent chapel of Bethlehem dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima.

The Church of Sainte-Anne

Rendezvous with art and religion in this atypical place steeped in history. A true architectural masterpiece, the magnificent St. Anne's Church recalls the Baroque style of European cathedrals with its cement moldings and gargoyles.

Built in 1856 and renovated by Father Daubenberger (or Dobemberger) from 1921 to 1946, the church of Sainte-Anne has been listed as a historical monument since 1982.

Camburg

Saint-Benoît is one of the largest municipalities in France, therefore, on the island of Reunion. It even hosts the summit of the Indian Ocean: I named the Piton des Neiges. Among its districts, we will mention Cambourg.
Unlike the names that are most often found on the coast, here there is no Saint. And to those that are often found in the heights, not of Malagasy origin. Indeed, “Cambourg” has a completely different origin.
In the 1970s, Crédit Agricole Mutuel de la Réunion supported the farmers of Saint-Benoît by creating an entire district, a town of Crédit Agricole Mutuel. Hence the origin of its name. Above all, this has made it possible to develop this distance from the town of Saint-Benoît and to provide residents with additional comfort thanks to the bringing together of “amenities”.

The navy of Saint-Benoit

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