City of Saint-Leu

The city of Saint-Leu is located to the west of Reunion, on the border of the southern municipalities between Avirons and Trois-Bassins. It is home to almost 35,000 inhabitants over an area of 118.4 km2.

Presentation of the city of Saint-Leu

Known as Boucan Laleu or Repos Laleu in the 18th century, Saint-Leu was attached to the city of Saint-Paul before becoming common in 1790. Like most towns of Reunion, it owes its development to coffee, sugar cane and also cotton plantations.

Marked by a slave revolt in 1811, Saint-Leu is also considered a miraculous place escaping the cholera epidemic in 1856 which decimated thousands of inhabitants of the island.

The city center of Saint-Leu enjoys an ideal location on the coast near the beach and its lagoon. Composed of a majority of houses, it is a commercial and lively place. It is surrounded by the neighborhoods of:

• Pointe des Châteaux in the north-east is a rather residential and quiet area made up mainly of houses;
• Piton Saint-Leu to the south which is rapidly urbanizing with the Portail activity area;
• La Chaloupe in the north in the land benefiting from more freshness than on the coasts and a small canyon with a view of the Indian Ocean.

What to do in the city of Saint-Leu

Meet at the Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette church to admire its volcanic stone architecture from Piton de la Fournaise. Built to thank God for having spared Saint-Leu from the cholera epidemic, it becomes a place of pilgrimage where the Reunionese come to lay a bouquet of flowers every September 19.

Stock up on gift ideas at the craft market of Saint-Leu where the creators and artisans of the town meet. It is open all day from Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday morning. The fairground market is held every Saturday morning with its pei fruits and vegetables.

Take a stroll along the Saint-Leu seafront where you can enjoy a superb panorama of the bay and the lagoon. With a little luck, you will be able to observe the surfers of Reunion or elsewhere, perform on the famous left of Saint-Leu recognized worldwide.

To see in the town of Saint-Leu

• Salt tip
• Kelonia
• Stela Matutina Museum
• Church of Notre Dame de la Salette

Top 3 accommodations in Saint-Leu

• Iloha Sea View Hotel
• Blue Margouillat Sea View Hotel
• Santa Apolonia Residence

To find out more about the city of Saint-Leu visit the website Saint-Leu town hall