hotel< 1 km
Cap Méchant, Saint-Philippe · wild south
Puits des Français: a night by the sea at Cap Méchant
A wide, flat site 60m from the sea, just east of Cap Méchant. Shelters, a water point, a barbecue spot, and the remains of an old well discovered in 1973. The seaside option in the wild south.
Seaside60m from the seaWidelawn + sheltersCardirect accessFreeno booking
Puits des Françaisis one of the most popular wild-camping spots in Reunion Island's wild south. Set just east of Cap Méchant, in the town of Saint-Philippe, it occupies a wide lawn only 60m from the sea. The site takes its name from an old well discovered in 1973, one of only three surviving traces of the island's nine historic wells.
A well-equipped site: several shelters with picnic tables, a built barbecue spot, a water point, free parking. Food is available right next door at Cap Méchant (Creole snack stalls, views over the lava rocks). For campervans, you can drive onto the lawn and overnight parking is tolerated.
At a glance
The Puits des Français camping essentials
The experience
A night by the sea in the wild south
Arrival. The N2 runs through the wild south past a succession of landscapes, alternating between dense forest and recent lava flows. At Cap Méchant, you leave the main road to head down towards the sea. The Puits des Français lawn comes into view, wide and flat, open to the ocean. The sound of waves on the lava rocks is constant.
Sunset.Cap Méchant faces south-east, and the sun sets behind Piton de la Fournaise around 5.30pm in winter, 6.30pm in summer. Golden light hits the waves and the black lava rocks. At the foot of the old well, it's the iconic shot of the wild south.
Night. The seaside stays warmer than high-altitude camps: 18 to 22°C depending on the season, with a strong salty breeze. The swell can be heard all night long, the signature sound of the wild south. There is little light pollution on this side of the island, which makes for good stargazing.
Morning. Sunrise over the sea is spectacular when the horizon is clear: the sky catches fire above the black rocks. Breakfast under the shelter, then on to Le Puits Arabe (5km) or the lava tunnels (20 minutes) for the rest of the itinerary.
How to get there
How to reach Puits des Français
From Saint-Joseph, take the N2 towards Saint-Philippe. At Basse Vallée, follow the ‘Cap Méchant’ signs down towards the sea. Puits des Français is just east of the headland, about 60m from the sea. Free parking on site. Allow 2 hours from Saint-Denis, 1h15 from Saint-Pierre.
A standard car is fine, on a tarmacked road. Fill up with fuel in Saint-Joseph or Saint-Pierre, as petrol stations are scarce beyond that point. It's a long drive down from the north of the island, so if you're flying in, book a rental car along with your flights.
Backpack
What to bring for the night
- A 3-season tent: nights stay mild (18-22°C) by the sea year-round
- Mosquito repellent: the wetlands of the wild south attract them in season
- A head torch: there's no public lighting at the site
- 1.5L of water per person: a water point is available but should be treated as a precaution
- A gas stove: campfires are banned outside the built barbecue spot
- Bin bags: all rubbish leaves with you
- Closed-toe shoes: the lava along the shore is very sharp at Cap Méchant
Regulations
Wild camping in the National Park: the rules
The Puits des Français site lies within the core of the National Park. Here are the official rules, quoted verbatim.
- 'Tents and hammocks must be pitched before sunset and taken down in the morning'
- 'Do not light campfires': only stoves and the built, designated fire spots are permitted
- 'Take all your rubbish away with you', including biodegradable waste
- 'The use of generators is prohibited'
- 'No harm may be done to wildlife or plant life'
- 'Leave the site as you found it'
Source: Parc national de La Réunion: Wild camping in the Park core. Cap Méchant and its camping area aren't affected by the regulation's banned zones.
Combine it with
Activities to combine from Cap Méchant
The wild south is packed with nature-based activities: volcanoes, lava tunnels and canyons all within an hour of the site.
Explore a lava tunnel
20 minutes from Puits des Français, the signature volcanic caving experience of the wild south.
Discover
Rivière Langevin canyoning, Saint-Joseph
A guided water descent 30 minutes away, one of the finest canyons in the south.
Discover
Volcano hike, Pas de Bellecombe
A descent into the Piton de la Fournaise crater with a local guide, a 1h30 drive away.
Discover
Also worth combiningAerial view
The wild south and its lava flows from the air
Camping at Puits des Français gives you the wild south's shoreline. A helicopter gives you the lava flows meeting the ocean, the entire Grand Brûlé and the Enclos Fouqué, all in a few minutes of flight.
The closest take-off point is Saint-Pierre, an hour from Saint-Philippe. Ideal as a half-day combined with a night at Cap Méchant.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
Stay nearby
Accommodation near Cap Méchant
In Saint-Philippe or Saint-Joseph, for the night before or the night after your stay.
hotel< 1 km
auberge2 km
hotel4 kmOther spots
Other wild-camping spots in the wild south
Wild camping at Puits Arabe, Saint-Philippe
Another historic well in the wild south, a few kilometres from Cap Méchant.
See the spot
Ti Sable beach, Saint-Joseph
Wild camping on a black-sand beach in the wild south, 25 minutes from Cap Méchant.
See the spot
Pointe de la Table, Saint-Philippe
A wild spot beside recent lava flows, east of Cap Méchant.
See the spot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ: camping at Puits des Français
How do you get to Puits des Français by car?
From Saint-Joseph, take the N2 towards Saint-Philippe. At Basse Vallée, follow the 'Cap Méchant' signs down towards the sea. Puits des Français is just east of the headland, about 60m from the sea. Free parking on site. Allow 2 hours from Saint-Denis, 1h15 from Saint-Pierre.
What facilities are there at the site?
The site has a wide lawn for pitching a tent, several shelters with picnic tables, a built barbecue spot, a water point and a viewpoint over the lava coastline. Food is available right next door at Cap Méchant (restaurants, Creole snack stalls during opening hours). Free parking.
Do you need a permit to camp at Puits des Français?
No, wild camping is unrestricted and free, as everywhere within the core of Reunion Island's National Park. Basic rule: pitch your tent after sunset and take it down in the morning, no fires outside the built spot, and take all your rubbish with you. The wild south isn't in a banned zone.
What's the history of Puits des Français?
The well was discovered in 1973 and is one of only three historic wells still visible in the wild south. It takes its name from the set of nine historic wells across Reunion Island, once used to supply fresh water to ships and coastal residents. A listed site, to be treated with respect.
What weather should you expect in the wild south?
The wild south is exposed to swell and the trade winds. Rain is more frequent here than on the west coast, especially in the late afternoon. Check the tide and swell before heading close to the shoreline: the lava is sharp and waves can catch you off guard. Avoid the cyclone season (December to March) if a warning is in effect.
What activities can you combine from Cap Méchant?
20 minutes away, exploring the lava tunnels remains the signature activity of the wild south. 30 minutes away, canyoning on the Rivière Langevin offers a guided water descent. For the widest perspective, a scenic flight over the Grand Brûlé reveals what no viewpoint on the ground can.
Page last updated 18 September 2026. GPS coordinates derived from Cap Méchant (Wikipedia: -21.3748, 55.7113).