Grand Boucan

Grand Boucan, the carnival that makes noise in Reunion

Every June on Reunion Island, it's the Grand Boucan for the carnival of Saint-Gilles. This event was created in 1997 to bring some excitement to the town center of the Reunionese seaside resort. The event has gradually grown and welcomes thousands of people every year to cheer King Dodo.

A true tradition in Reunion, the Grand Boucan carnival is organized by the Compagnie Pôle Sud with the financial assistance of traders from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains happy to contribute. The association can also count on several partnerships such as the Inter-municipal Tourist Office of the West and the city of Saint-Paul.

Grand Boucan has become without a doubt the biggest and most famous carnival of all intense island. Every year, the organizers compete with each other to come up with new themes. The year 2018 was held under the theme “Discovery and invention”, 2019 “Myths and legends 2.0” and the edition of Grand Boucan 2020 having been postponed to 2021, the theme will be “Art Museum You! Be masterpieces of painting or sculpture yourself, be inspired by the great artists ”. To your brushes!

Take part in this event by coming in disguise and follow the parade of floats from the main street of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Discover the star of the day at the controls of the parade, King Dodo, who changes his appearance at each carnival. But its position is not to be envied, since at nightfall, it always ends up at the stake on the beach of Roches Noires.

For more than Holidays in Réunion consult our interactive map.