Village of Grand-Ilet

Grand-Ilet

In the heart of Salazie

Located in the heart of Reunion, Grand-Ilet is a small village in the commune of Salazie perched at an altitude of 1,100 meters.

Presentation of Grand-Ilet

The circuses of Reunion Island were places that were difficult to access and therefore very sparsely populated. At the start of the 19th century, the arrival of sugar cane plantations and the exploitation of slaves for their cultivation forced a number of lower-class whites to leave their homes.

They then leave the cities of the east to settle in the circus of Salazie and from 1840, Grand-Ilet becomes the village of “Petits Blancs des Hauts”. As time goes by, the inhabitants tame this wild landscape and move on foot towards St Denis or in the city ofhell-bourg by small paths for bartering.

From 1965, the construction of the road with the recruitment of men from Grand-Ilet changed the situation. Money replaces the exchange of goods and gradually changes lifestyles. Nevertheless, the Grand-Ilets and the Grand-Iletiennes wish to preserve the natural environment and prefer to travel for their purchases rather than to welcome shops and services. The electrification of the village in 1978 adds a little more comfort to the dwellings while remaining in a magnificent and calm setting.

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What to do in Grand-Ilet?

Listed as historical monuments since 1982, visit the small church of Saint-Martin and its tamarind shingle walls. Also admire the stained glass windows made by Guy Lefèvre, a famous master glassmaker from the intense island.

Rest, recharge your batteries or take advantage of the many hikes offered by the village of Grand-Ilet.

Taste Cimendef's succulent black-necked chicken accompanied by Salazie's famous darlings, a real delight.

If you visit the village of Grand-Ilet in June, do not miss the scrunchie party and its many local events.