Reunion: the volcano, the landscapes and the people • Reunion Island

"Embark on a journey of less than 28 minutes to discover Reunion Island, jewel of the Indian Ocean. Through our video, explore the breathtaking landscapes sculpted by the active volcano of Piton de la Fournaise, discover the local markets vibrant with color and flavor, and immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this stunning island.A visual and cultural adventure awaits, with descriptive text to guide you through the natural beauty and cultural richness of the island. Reunion Island. Don't wait any longer, let yourself be carried away by the colors of Reunion!"

This film was made on the basis of photos and videos taken during the trip Mauritius • Cavadee 2020 / Reunion (EN)

vimeo chapterA click on this icon above displays the list of chapters of this film about Reunion. A click on a dot goes directly to a chapter.

Reading the text below will help you better understand the natural context of the images in this video.
Chapters: 

00:12 • Introduction: Réunion, a volcanic island

02:20 • the volcano • Piton de la Fournaise

03:06 • the  Plaine des Sables

04:10 • Commerson crater

04:47 • the lava route

05:00 • L'Enclos du Grand Brûlé

05:50 • Piton Sainte-Rose • Notre-Dame des Laves

07:41 • the Grand Galet waterfall

09:17 • the Bois Court belvedere

10:11 • the road to Cilaos

13:21 • the Cirque de Mafate • seen from the Maïdo

14:55 • the Cirque de Salazie

17:07 • Hell Bourg

18:06 • Saint Benoit

18:30 • Petit Bazar temple

18:50 • Cilaos

19:41 • Sainte Anne

21:04 • the Rivière de l'Est suspension bridge

21:42 • Saint Pierre • the market

22:48 • Saint-Pierre • Atyabul Massadjid mosque

23:24 • Terre Sainte

24:00 • Saint Pierre • Narassigua Péroumal temple

24:32 • Saint Paul • the market

25:55 • Saint Paul • Siva Supramanian temple

 

Mascareignes: Mauritius and Reunion

Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean is part of the Mascarene archipelago with Mauritius and Rodrigues. Formerly called Ile Bourbon, Reunion is a French overseas department.

Geographically close to Mauritius, Réunion does not look at all like its sister island. Both are of volcanic origin, but while the last volcano in Mauritius has been extinct for 10 or 15,000 years, Réunion still has one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, the Piton de la Fournaise.

And the three large circuses that are Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate present impressive reliefs due to ancient volcanoes that are certainly inactive and whose caldera has collapsed. Compared to Maurice's Trou-aux-Cerfs, they look like youngsters.

Reunion Island is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, while Mauritius mainly attracts tourists in search of calm and fine sand.

Reunion Island

If the island of Reunion was formed by volcanoes, one of which is still very active (the Piton de la Fournaise), the charm of the island is not limited to its geological origins.

In addition to the natural wonders that Reunion has to offer, its wealth is also found in the warmth of its extremely welcoming population. The history of Reunion has left behind a very diverse population.

History of Reunion

The first inhabitants of Réunion settled in the middle of the 17th century. Discovered by the Portuguese, it first bore the name of Ile Mascarin (after the name of the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas) before becoming Ile Bourbon under French domination. The Compagnie Française des Indes Orientales made a stopover on the long road between Europe and the Indies and soon after the island became a plantation colony, in particular of coffee and exchanges with the Indian trading post of Pondicherry grew. Sugar would supplant coffee at the start of the 19th century.

The sugar and coffee plantations were labor intensive, and what labor is more profitable than the imported African slaves to perform heavy agricultural tasks without any compensation ...

As in all the colonies whose economy was based on slavery, Reunion would soon face the rebellions of fleeing slaves (brown slaves) who found refuge on the inhospitable heights of the volcanic circuses of Salazie, Mafate and Cilaos.

Faced with this situation and also with the growing opposition to the slave system in Europe, the Reunionese planters called on an Indian workforce who was going to receive a pittance. Relations with Pondicherry greatly facilitated this immigration.

This is how the current population of the island was formed, a mixture of Europeans, Africans and Indians.

Spices

Reunion Island is a paradise for spice lovers. Turmeric which grows on the heights as well as vanilla have the reputation of being the best in the world. The markets offer all kinds of spices to delight the taste buds but also that of the eyes.

 

Music:

 - YouTube video library - Final Transmission

 - YouTube video library - Flowers in the Rain

 - YouTube video library - Her Owl Ring

 - YouTube video library - Impending Doom Film Trailer

 - YouTube video library - Investigation

 - YouTube video library - Invisible Beauty

 - YouTube video library - Light Years Away

 - YouTube video library - Messiah by Haendel

 - YouTube video library - People Watching

 - YouTube video library - Rising Sun

 - YouTube video library - Viking

Disclaimer: Despite its appropriateness, copyright issues prevent the use of reunionese traditional music in "Reunion: the volcano, the landscapes and the people • Reunion Island", hence the use of royalty-free music. Despite our careful selection, some might regret this decision, which is necessary to avoid potential lawsuits. Although difficult, this decision is the only viable solution.

Vallée encaissée,  • Ile de la Réunion
the village of Hellbourg,  • Reunion

the village of Hellbourg

Pas des Sables,  • Reunion

Pas des Sables

Cirque de Cilaos,  • Reunion

Cirque de Cilaos

Cirque de Mafate,  • Reunion

Cirque de Mafate

Reunion Island

© 2020 - 2024 • Jean-Marie Putz, PutzProductions