The heart of the island's Tamil culture, the birthplace of Bourbon vanilla and the gateway to the Mafate cirque via Col des Bœufs. From the Colosse Temple, built by craftsmen from Madras, to vanilla estates, the Friday market and Cavadee, here's the complete guide to this Indo-Creole town.
Saint-André is the island's most Indian town. After slavery was abolished in 1848, tens of thousands of indentured labourers came from Tamil Nadu to work on the sugar-cane plantations. They settled here and built their temples, homes and traditions, and Indo-Creole culture still sets the rhythm of life today.
It's also where Bourbon vanilla was born, home to the big Friday market, and the main gateway to the Mafate cirque via Col des Bœufs (by 4x4, then on foot). Roland Garros airport is only 30 minutes away along the N2, so if you pick up a rental car on arrival, you can take in the temples, the market and the road up to Salazie without planning around bus times.
The Colosse Temple in Champ Borne, one of the largest in France, and the Petit Bazar Maryen Péroumal Temple in the town centre.
The must-seeOne of the largest Tamil temples in France, built by Indian worshippers and craftsmen from Madras, with a façade entirely carved and painted by hand and a multi-tiered gopuram (gateway tower) covered in statues of Hindu gods. It symbolises the Tamil community that came to Reunion Island after slavery was abolished in 1848, to work on the sugar-cane plantations.
In Saint-André town centre, dedicated to the goddess Pandialé. It has a Dravidian-style pyramid tower with colourful statues and a sacred enclosure lined with filao trees. The tourist office runs workshops and guided visits, especially around Cavadee.
It was near Saint-André, in Bras-Panon, that in 1841 young Edmond Albius (12 years old, enslaved) discovered how to pollinate vanilla by hand, a technique that transformed vanilla growing worldwide. Reunion Island has produced Bourbon vanilla ever since, prized for its woody, fruity aroma.
A historic plantation around a listed Creole manor house. The guided visit takes in the greenhouses and drying sheds, with a demonstration of the hand pollination technique invented in Reunion Island in 1841 by Edmond Albius, plus tastings and a shop.
Another estate open to the public, smaller and quieter, with a guided walk and black Bourbon vanilla for sale (about €6-12 a pod depending on quality).
10 minutes south of Saint-André, a cooperative of the east's vanilla growers, with a free demonstration and a shop selling vanilla at growers' prices.
Bookable activities in and around Saint-André (Sainte-Suzanne, Mafate, Salazie), with prices, reviews and full details.
★ 4.9(39)Guided hiking in the Mafate cirque from €55. Several packages (from Maïdo, Cayenne or an authentic immersion). 4.9/5 from 18 Manawa reviews.
★ 4.8(101)Whitewater rafting on the Marsouins River in Saint-Benoît from €35 with Manawa. 4.7/5 from 75 verified reviews.
A visit to a Bourbon vanilla farm in Reunion Island, included in the full-day excursion to the Cirque de Salazie. €75 per person with Ceetiz.
★ 5(1)A full-day horseback ride to Bassin Bœuf in Sainte-Suzanne with the Ferme équestre du Grand Étang (Manawa), from €150 per person.
A guided tour of the Maryen Peroumal Tamil temple in Saint-André, one of Reunion Island's largest Hindu temples. €12 per person with Ceetiz.
★ 4.5(22)2 packages to the Piton Maïdo viewpoint over the Cirque de Mafate: a Ceetiz shuttle from €50, or a private trip with Grégoire via Viator from €199 per group, 5/5 from 8 reviews.
★ 4.8(17)A combo day excursion to the Cirque de Salazie and a traditional vanilla farm, €75 per person with Ceetiz. Hell-Bourg, Voile de la Mariée, Mare à Poule d'Eau.
★ 5(5)The island's most popular family-introduction canyon, on the Rivière Sainte-Suzanne (Bassin Bœuf). 2 Manawa listings from €55, 5/5 from 5 verified reviews.
January-February. A spectacular Tamil procession in which penitents in a trance walk on boards studded with nails, carrying decorated altars (cavadees) to give thanks to the god Murugan (Mourouga). It follows ten days of fasting. An intense experience, open to the public as long as you respect the tradition.
October-November. The Hindu festival of lights (Diwali): the town-centre streets glow with candles and oil lamps, with processions, performances and exhibitions. Don't miss it if you're on the island.
Every Friday morning, 6am to 1pm, on the main square. One of the liveliest in the east, with Indo-Creole produce, Tamil spices, local vegetables, samosas, bonbons piment (chilli fritters) and crafts, in a genuinely local atmosphere.
Bras des Lianes trail: a 2-2.5 hour loop in the highlands above Saint-André, through ravines, former sugar-cane plantations, waterfalls and viewpoints. An easy-to-moderate trail.
Bassin Bœuf in Sainte-Suzanne(15 min): a swimming spot and beginners' canyon, with jumps of different heights and natural water slides. Ideal for families from age 12.
1001 Flavours and Scents Garden: medicinal and aromatic plants, with guided visits and tastings, plus the sacred plants of temple gardens (tulsi, neem, lotus).
If you don't want to hike into Mafate, a helicopter flight from L'Éperon (50 min by car) or Roland Garros (35 min) gives you a spectacular view of the roadless cirque, its îlets (hamlets) of Marla, La Nouvelle and Roche-Plate, and Piton des Neiges behind.
See helicopter flightsSaint-André is on the road round the island. A van rented via Yescapa lets you link Saint-Denis, Saint-André, Col des Bœufs (for Mafate), Saint-Benoît, the volcano, Saint-Pierre and Saint-Gilles over 8-10 days without booking hotels.
Authentic guesthouses and lodges in the East, an ideal base for Bras-Panon, Bassin Bleu and Salazie.
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Page updated on 24 September 2026.