hotel< 1 km
Eco-camping · Sainte-Anne · east coast
Camping Le Bois Joli Cœur, Sainte-Anne: eco-friendly camping and bungalows under the longan trees
A genuinely eco-friendly campsite in Sainte-Anne on the east coast, with 5 tent pitches under longan trees and 3 bungalows of 9 sqm, run on solar power, harvested rainwater and wood-fired cooking. Rated 7.4/10 on Booking.com, with home-cooked Creole meals on request.
Sainte-Anne, east coastlocationFrom €15 / nightrate~20 people, 5 pitches + 3 bungalowscapacityEco-friendlyapproach
Camping Le Bois Joli Cœur, on the chemin de ceinture in Sainte-Anne on the east coast, is one of the island's few eco-campsites. Run by the Payet family on their land in the heart of the Creole countryside, it takes the environment seriously: solar power for cooking and fridges, rainwater-fed showers, wood-fired cooking and plenty of local produce. It's one of the only campsites on the island where every part of your stay is designed to limit its impact.
Here's what you need to know before booking: prices, how to get there from Saint-Benoît, the eco-friendly facilities, 3 bungalows and 5 tent pitches, home-cooked Creole meals made with local produce, and nearby activities (canyoning, rafting, lava tunnels) and ideas for activities to pair with your stay. For those travelling by campervan, the campsite also welcomes guests as a stop alongside other stages elsewhere on the island.
At a glance
The campsite essentials
The experience
A night at an eco-campsite
Arriving at the Payets'. The campsite is tucked away on the Payet family's land, deep in the Sainte-Anne countryside. You arrive in a green setting, with fruit trees (longans, which give the campsite its name), a vegetable garden and timber buildings. The family's welcome is one of its hallmarks, praised in Booking reviews (an average rating of 7.4/10 from 67 reviews).
The pitches and bungalows. The campsite offers 5 tent pitches under the longan trees, shaded and with tables and eating areas, and 3 bungalows of 9 sqmfor those who'd rather sleep indoors. It sleeps around 20 people in total, which keeps things small and friendly.
The eco-friendly approach. This is what sets it apart from other campsites on the island: a solar-equipped kitchen, solar-powered fridges, showers fed by harvested rainwater, and wood-fired cooking as a backup. The Payet family cooks with local produce, sourced as close to home as possible.
Creole home cooking.Meals and breakfast on request, made with local produce, some of it from the garden: carris (curries), rougails (spicy tomato stews), brèdes (leafy green broths), rice and beans, served under the shared kiosk at the big checked-cloth table. It's some of the most authentic cooking on the east coast.
How to get there
How to reach the Bois Joli Cœur
From Saint-Benoît, head towards Plaine des Palmistes for about 5 kilometres. Turn left onto the D3 towards Sainte-Rose, then follow the "Bois Joli Cœur" signs to the Payet property (120, chemin de ceinture, 97437 Sainte-Anne).
Allow about 15 minutes by car from Saint-Benoît, 40 minutes from Saint-Denis, 1h15 from Saint-Pierre via the round-the-island road. The road is paved all the way, so any car will do. You'll find fuel and shops nearby in Saint-Benoît.
Parking is directly on site at the campsite. Sainte-Anne is known for its baroque church, a listed historic monument well worth seeing, just 5 minutes from the campsite.
On site
Services and eco-friendly facilities
- 5 tent pitches under the longan trees (shaded fruit trees)
- 3 bungalows of 9 sqm for those who'd rather sleep indoors
- A solar-powered kitchen (photovoltaic panels)
- Solar-powered fridges
- Showers fed by harvested rainwater
- Wood-fired cooking as a backup to solar power
- Creole meals and breakfast on request (local produce)
- A shared kiosk for communal meals
- An outdoor picnic area
- A play area and a pétanque court
- A meeting and events space
- Clean facilities with wheelchair access
- A water point and hiking car park
- An eco-friendly approach throughout, with local produce
Rates
How much does a night cost?
Prices start from €15 a night(according to my camping guide). That's the most expensive campsite on the east coast, justified by the eco-friendly facilities, the 3 bungalows and the warm welcome (rated 7.4/10 from 67 Booking reviews).
Creole meals and breakfast cost extra and should be booked in advance. You can book on Booking.com as well as by phone, which is rare for a campsite on the island. Confirm current rates before booking.
Contact & booking
Booking Le Bois Joli Cœur
Address: 120 propriété Payet, chemin de ceinture, 97437 Sainte-Anne
You can book on Booking.com, handy if you prefer booking online. An average rating of 7.4/10 from 67 reviews.
Tell them when you book if you'd like Creole meals and breakfast, and whether you prefer a tent pitch or a bungalow (capacity limited to 3).
Combine it with
Activities to combine with the campsite
Sainte-Anne is the gateway to the wild south and Plaine des Palmistes, so the campsite is ideally placed for exploring the east coast.
Piton de la Fournaise lava tunnel
Explore the tunnels inside the volcano's lava flows, 30 minutes to the south.
See the activity
Canyoning at Rivière des Roches
Jumps, abseils and slides in the pools of the Rivière des Roches, in Saint-Benoît, 15 minutes away.
See the activity
Rafting on the Rivière des Marsouins
A rafting descent on the east coast's main river, departing from Saint-Benoît, 15 minutes away.
See the activity
Also worth doingAerial view
Trou de Fer and Piton de la Fournaise from the sky
The campsite shows you the east coast up close, Creole-style. A helicopter gives you the big picture: Trou de Fer (the island's tallest waterfall) is an 8-minute flight to the north-west, and the longer routes take in the Piton de la Fournaise crater.
Saint-Pierre airfield is an hour's drive away, so you can combine it with a full day at the volcano. 8 routes, from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
Other campsites
Other nearby campsites and accommodation
Camping Le Relax, Salazie
A farm campsite in the Salazie cirque, an hour's drive away, with the Bienvenue à la Ferme (farm stay) label.
See the campsite
Camping and Farmhouse Table, Josian et Céline
An authentic campsite with farmhouse meals in Entre-Deux, 1h30 by car towards the west.
See the campsite
Ermitage Lagon Campsite, Saint-Gilles
A 3-star campsite with direct lagoon access, 1h30 by car on the west coast.
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
lodge4 km
auberge5 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: everything to know before booking
How do you book the Bois Joli Cœur?
You can book on Booking.com, which is handy if you prefer booking online. Tell them whether you want a tent pitch or a bungalow (3 available), and whether you'd like Creole meals and breakfast.
How much does a night cost?
From €15 a night (according to my camping guide). That makes it the most expensive campsite on the east coast, justified by the eco-friendly facilities, the 3 bungalows and the warm welcome. Meals and breakfast cost extra.
What's the difference between a tent pitch and a bungalow?
The 5 tent pitches are under the longan trees, shaded and with tables. The 3 bungalows (9 sqm) give you a solid roof, ideal in the rainy season or for those without their own camping gear. It sleeps around 20 people in total, which keeps things small and friendly.
What makes it an eco-campsite?
The whole site is run with the environment in mind: a solar-powered kitchen, solar-powered fridges, showers fed by harvested rainwater, wood-fired cooking as a backup, and a focus on local produce at the Creole table. It's one of the only campsites on the island where every aspect is designed to limit its impact.
Is the campsite well rated?
Yes, an average rating of 7.4/10 from 67 Booking reviews at the time of writing. Reviews highlight the Payet family's warm welcome, the quality of the Creole cooking, the cleanliness and quiet of the site, and the genuine eco-friendly commitment.
What activities pair well with the campsite?
Sainte-Anne is the gateway to the wild south and Plaine des Palmistes: lava tunnels 30 minutes away, canyoning at the Rivière des Roches 15 minutes away, rafting or helicopter rates for the widest perspective.
Is the campsite wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the facilities have wheelchair access, and the grounds are largely flat and easy to get around. It's one of the few east coast campsites to offer this level of accessibility.
When should you come and camp at the Bois Joli Cœur?
The southern winter (May to October) has the most settled weather. The east coast is the wettest part of the island all year, though, so always pack rain gear. The bungalows are a good option in the rainy season to stay dry.
Page updated on 24 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contact details and rates verified as of this date. Confirm availability with the campsite before travelling.