hotel6 km
Mafate · Aurère · 940 m
Chez Tatie Jo, Aurère: wood-fired Creole meals and a warm welcome
An authentic gîte at Aurère (Mafate cirque) run by Josselyne, known as 'Tatie Jo'. A former employee of the ONF (the national forestry office) and the village school, she cooks Creole meals over a wood fire under the covered veranda. Dorm €20, double room €50, half-board +€25.
Aurère, MafatelocationDorm €20 / Double €50rateWood-fired Creole cookingmealsOn foot onlyaccess
The gîte Chez Tatie Jo, at Aurère in the Mafate cirque, is one of the warmest addresses in the cirque. Run by Josselyne, known as “Tatie Jo”, who used to work for the ONF (the national forestry office) and the village school, the gîte carries the memory of Aurère and tells the everyday story of Mafate's residents through its welcome and its cooking. The Creole meals cooked over a wood fireunder the covered veranda (led by rougail saucisse, sausages simmered in a spicy tomato sauce) are the place's biggest draw.
This page covers everything you need to know: rates (dorm €20, double room €50, half-board +€25), access from Sans-Souci or via the cirque's internal trails, facilities (2 showers, 2 toilets, a lounge, a covered veranda) and what makes this gîte special. Aurère is one of the most accessible îlets (hamlets) in Mafate via the northern gateway, ideal for a first crossing.
At a glance
The gîte essentials
The experience
A night at Tatie Jo's in Aurère
Arriving at Aurère. The îlet is one of the most charming in the cirque, with its main hamlet, school, church and trails radiating outwards. Tatie Jo's gîte is easy to spot right on the trail. Josselyne welcomes hikers personally and adapts the setup to your arrival (dorm, double room).
Wood-fired meals. This is the number-one draw. The covered veranda houses the kitchen and the shared tables. The Creole caris (curries) cooked over a wood fire, including the famous rougail saucisse, are among the best meals you'll eat in Mafate. The wood-fire cooking brings a unique flavour that's reason enough on its own to stop here.
Facilities. The gîte has 2 showers, 2 toilets, a shared lounge for evenings and a covered verandafor meals. Comfort is basic but clean, typical of a gîte in the cirque. There's no wifi: this is a place to disconnect.
Tatie Jo's welcome.This is what turns the stopover into a memory. Josselyne has lived in Aurère her whole life, and happily shares the history of the îlet, daily life for Mafate's residents before supply helicopters arrived, and the schools of yesterday and today. It's a human encounter, not just a place to sleep.
How to get there
How to reach Aurère on foot
Aurère is only accessible on foot, like all of Mafate. There are three main ways in:
Sans-Souci (La Possession): around 3 to 4 hours of steady walking via the Scout trail. This is the most commonly used option for reaching Aurère.
Rivière des Galets (Deux Bras): around 4 to 5 hours of walking, crossing the river. Avoid in wet weather (flood risk).
From La Nouvelle or Roche Plate: trails linking the îlets inside the cirque, allow 4 to 6 hours depending on your starting îlet.
There's no road access. Fill up with fuel and buy supplies down in La Possession before heading up.
On site
Services and facilities at the gîte
- Dorms (bedding provided)
- Double rooms
- Wood-fired Creole meals (rougail saucisse a speciality)
- Half-board: dinner plus breakfast
- A covered veranda for meals and evenings
- A shared lounge for evenings
- 2 showers, 2 toilets
- A water point for washing up and washing
- Trail advice and the îlet's history from Tatie Jo
- A viewpoint over the cliffs from the gîte
Rates
How much does a night cost
Dorm: €20/night, double room: €50/night. Half-board for an extra €25(dinner plus breakfast) is very strongly recommended: it's what makes the stopover memorable, and Tatie Jo's cooking is part of Aurère's legend.
Confirm current rates by phone before heading up. No card payments on site, bring cash.
Contact & booking
Booking Chez Tatie Jo
Phone: 0692 38 76 06
Address: Aurère, Mafate cirque, 97419 La Possession
Booking by phone is strongly recommended, especially for meals. Aurère has poor mobile signal, so call from La Possession before heading up.
Combine it with
Activities to combine with the stay
Aurère is one of Mafate's northern crossroads. Make the most of your stopover to explore nearby or continue your crossing.
Guided Trek in Mafate
A multi-day crossing of the cirque, from Cayenne or Sans-Souci.
See the activity
Bélouve and Trou de Fer
A guided trail to the island's tallest waterfall.
See the activity
Helicopter Flight Over Mafate
A panoramic flight over the cirque, a natural complement to the trek.
See the activity
Also worth combiningAerial view
Reunion Island seen from the sky
The gîte gives you Mafate at ground level, along its remotest trails. A helicopter opens up the perspective: peaks, cirques, lava flows and lagoon seen in just a few minutes.
8 routes departing from Saint-Pierre or Saint-Paul, from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter prices
See also
Other gîtes and campsites in Mafate
Stay nearby
Alternative accommodation nearby
To compare, or if the gîte is full, here are partner places to stay within 25 km.
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hotel12 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: everything to know before booking
How do you book Chez Tatie Jo?
Book by phone on 0692 38 76 06. Aurère has poor mobile signal, so call from La Possession before heading up. Plan several weeks ahead in high season (June to October).
How much does a night cost?
Dorm €20/night, double room €50/night. Half-board for an extra €25 (a wood-fired Creole dinner plus breakfast) is strongly recommended.
What makes the cooking special?
Tatie Jo cooks over a wood fire under the covered veranda. Rougail saucisse is her speciality, but all her Creole caris have that unique wood-fired flavour. It's one of the best meals you'll eat in Mafate.
How do you get to Aurère?
Aurère is only accessible on foot. There are three options: Sans-Souci (La Possession, 3-4 hours), Rivière des Galets (4-5 hours from Deux Bras), or from La Nouvelle / Roche Plate via internal cirque trails (4-6 hours).
Who is Tatie Jo?
Josselyne, known as Tatie Jo, is a resident of Aurère who worked for the ONF and the village school. She's lived in the îlet her whole life, and her warm welcome is part of what makes the gîte special.
Is there wifi?
No, like most gîtes in Mafate, there's no wifi. This is a stopover to disconnect.
Page updated on 18 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contact details and rates verified as of this date. Confirm availability with the gîte before travelling.
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Chez Tatie Jo, Aurère, Mafate
RateFrom €20/night