hotel< 1 km
3-star · L'Hermitage-les-Bains
Ermitage Lagon Campsite, Saint-Gilles: 3-star camping with direct access to the island's best-known lagoon
The only 3-star campsite right on the L'Hermitage lagoon. Bungalows, equipped safari tents, pitches for your own tent, a restaurant, a snack bar, mini-golf, a kids' club, wifi and supervised parking. A comfortable base for exploring the west coast without renting an apartment.
L'Hermitage-les-Bains, Saint-PaullocationFrom €30 a nightprice3-starratingDirect accessbeach
Ermitage Lagon campsiteis one of the island's few 3-star campsites, and the only one with direct access to the L'Hermitage-les-Bains lagoon, the most famous on the west coast. On Avenue de Bourbon, 100 metres from the dual carriageway, it's as convenient as a town campsite, with the beach on the doorstep.
This page covers everything you need to know before booking: prices, types of accommodation (bungalow, safari tent, pitch), facilities and how to get there, plus ideas for things to do nearby (whales, diving, paragliding in Saint-Leu). For couples or families on a tighter budget, a campervan is often a good alternative, though you won't get the campsite's facilities (pool, restaurant, kids' club).
At a glance
The campsite essentials
The experience
A night 100 metres from the lagoon
Arriving. The campsite is right in the middle of L'Hermitage-les-Bains, one of the island's liveliest seaside resorts. The "Accès Plage" (beach access) sign at the entrance sets the tone: you sleep under filao (casuarina) trees, a few steps from the white sand and the reef-sheltered lagoon.
Three types of accommodation. Depending on your budget and how much comfort you want: an equipped bungalow (kitchen, air conditioning, private bathroom), an equipped safari tent (beds, electricity, no private kitchen) or a pitch for your own tent. Prices range from €30 for a basic pitch to several hundred euros for a bungalow in high season.
The facilities.You can tell it's a 3-star site: a restaurant and snack bar, a kids' club to keep children busy, mini-golf, archery, zumba classes, a communal lounge, electricity at every pitch, supervised parking, a launderette and free wifi. For families who want one base for day trips without skimping on comfort, it's hard to beat.
The lagoon. The site's biggest draw is direct access to the beachat L'Hermitage. The reef shelters the lagoon for several kilometres, so swimming is safe even when the sea is rough elsewhere. Snorkelling with turtles, dolphin and whale trips in season (July to October) and all kinds of water sports leave from Saint-Gilles harbour, 5 minutes away by car.
How to get there
How to get to the campsite
From the dual carriageway (N1), take the "Saint-Gilles-les-Bains / L'Hermitage" exit, turn right and drive about 100 metres: the campsite entrance is right on the road, on Avenue de Bourbon.
Allow about 5 minutes by car from central Saint-Gilles, 15 minutes from Saint-Leu, 30 minutes from Saint-Denis or Saint-Pierre. The road is paved all the way and fine for any ordinary car. Roland Garros airport (Saint-Denis) is about 1 hour away, and Pierrefonds airport 35 minutes.
There's supervised parking on site, a real plus in such a busy tourist area. You can also get there by bus (the Car Jaune line linking Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre along the west coast).
On site
3-star services and facilities
- Direct access to L'Hermitage beach and lagoon
- Equipped bungalows (kitchen, air conditioning, private bathroom)
- Equipped safari tents (beds, electricity)
- Tent pitches with electricity
- Restaurant + snack bar on site
- Wifi included in all common areas
- Mini-golf, archery, petanque courts
- Kids' club (supervised activities)
- Zumba classes in season
- A communal lounge and picnic area
- Supervised parking
- Launderette
- A children's play area
- Clean washrooms with hot water, wheelchair accessible
- A shared barbecue and water points
Rates
How much does a night cost?
Prices start from €30 a night for a tent pitch outside high season (source: my Reunion Island camping guide). Safari tents and bungalows cost more and vary a lot with the season: expect at least double in high season (July-August, the Christmas and July school holidays).
In high season, book several weeks ahead, as the campsite is often full. Outside high season (November, March-May), there's usually space and prices are lower. Check current prices by phone before booking.
Contact & booking
Booking Ermitage Lagon
Phone: +262 262 96 36 70
Address: 60 Avenue de Bourbon, Saint-Paul 97460
Bookings by phone during office hours; there's no online booking. Call in the morning for the quickest answer.
Combine it with
Things to do nearby
L'Hermitage is in the heart of the west coast: everything Saint-Gilles is famous for is 5 to 15 minutes from the campsite.
Whale watching from Saint-Gilles
A boat trip to watch humpback whales in season (July to October), from Saint-Gilles harbour, 5 minutes away.
See the activity
First paragliding flight in Saint-Leu
Take off from the Maïdo cliffs, fly over the lagoon and land on Saint-Leu beach, 15 minutes to the south.
See the activity
Exploration diving in Saint-Gilles
Coral drop-offs and tropical marine life in Saint-Gilles bay, with dive clubs 5 minutes away.
See the activity
Pair it withAerial view
The lagoon, the Maïdo cliffs and Mafate from the sky
From the campsite you see the lagoon at water level. From a helicopter you see the whole picture: the coral reef running for kilometres, the Maïdo cliffs rising to 2,200m behind the coast and the entire Mafate cirque, just minutes after taking off from Saint-Paul.
Flights leave from Saint-Paul airfield, 15 minutes from the campsite. 8 routes, lasting 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
Other campsites
Other campsites and places to stay nearby
Camping La Bonne Terre, Aurère, Mafate
For something wilder, swap the campsite for a 5-hour hike to Aurère in Mafate.
See the campsite
Camping Les Filaos, Îlet à Malheur, Mafate
A small campsite in Mafate, reachable only on foot, at €5 per person.
See the campsite
Josian and Céline's Campsite and Farmhouse Table, Entre-Deux
An authentic campsite with home-cooked farm meals in Entre-Deux, 30 minutes by car.
See the campsite
Stay nearby
Alternative accommodation nearby
If the campsite is full or you're after more comfort, here are partner places to stay within 25 km.
hotel< 1 km
hotel< 1 km
hotel< 1 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: everything to know before booking
How do you book Ermitage Lagon campsite?
By phone on +262 262 96 36 70 during office hours; there's no online booking. Call in the morning for the quickest answer, and book several weeks ahead in high season (July-August, Christmas holidays).
How much does a night at the campsite cost?
Prices start from €30 a night for a tent pitch outside high season. Safari tents and bungalows cost more and vary a lot with the season. Check current prices by phone before booking.
What types of accommodation are on offer?
Three types: an equipped bungalow (kitchen, air conditioning, private bathroom), an equipped safari tent (beds, electricity, no private kitchen) or a pitch for your own tent. It all depends on your budget and how much comfort you want.
Does the campsite have direct beach access?
Yes, that's one of its main draws: you walk straight from the campsite to the L'Hermitage lagoon. The reef shelters the lagoon for several kilometres, so swimming is safe even when the sea is rough elsewhere.
What services are included?
Free wifi in all communal areas, a restaurant and snack bar, a kids' club, mini-golf, archery, zumba classes in season, supervised parking, a launderette and clean washrooms with hot water and wheelchair access. It's one of the best-equipped campsites on the island.
Are there activities for children?
Yes, the kids' club runs supervised activities in season, and there's a play area, mini-golf and archery for all ages. The L'Hermitage lagoon is also one of the safest places on the island for families to swim.
When should you go camping at L'Hermitage?
The southern winter (May to October) brings the most settled weather: often clear skies, moderate trade winds and humpback whales in season. Summer (November to April) is hotter but more exposed to cyclone swells. The peak season coincides with the French school holidays, so expect crowds then.
What activities pair well with the campsite?
Saint-Gilles has the west coast's best activities on its doorstep: whale watching in season (July to October), diving with a club, paragliding in Saint-Leu 15 minutes away, and a helicopter flight for the big picture of the lagoon and Mafate.
Page updated on 23 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contact details and rates verified as of this date. Confirm availability with the campsite before travelling.