1218-1218 Travel Guide

A coastal forest of about 1,000 hectares in L'Étang-Salé, planted artificially from 1870 to hold back the advancing coastal sand dunes. It is densely planted with casuarinas, eucalyptus and Indian tamarind, supplemented with endemic coastal species, and is a popular black-and-white-sand park for jogging, hiking, cycling, horse riding and birdwatching.

The remains of oyster-farming pools in the L'Étang-Salé area date from 1920, when Charles Robin attempted to farm and commercialise oysters here. The venture was later abandoned because of regional water temperatures, repeated theft and the islanders' limited interest in this so-called 'local seafood'; only the ruins now remain for visitors to contemplate.

The old railway station at L'Étang-Salé opened in 1881 and ceased operation in 1956. Beginning as a wooden structure before becoming a first-class stone station, it bears witness to Reunion's railway history and the development of the town of L'Étang-Salé; the old station now serves as the office of the L'Étang-Salé Tourist Office (Office de Tourisme).

The lime kiln (Le four a chaux) stands by the sea at Etang-Sale-les-Bains on the south-west coast of Reunion, a traditional lime-burning site that survives to this day. In the past, lime burners (chaufourniers) calcined coral limestone here into lime used for building and in the sugar industry, an important witness to the island's traditional crafts and early economy. Today the remains stand quietly on the coastline against the black lava shore and the ocean, easy to visit during a coastal walk while learning a fragment of the island's craft and coastal history.

The Catholic parish church of Saint Dominic in L'Étang-Salé is an important place of worship for the local community.

Croc Parc is a crocodile-themed animal park on the high ground of Etang-Sale in south-west Reunion. It has several ponds home to a large number of crocodiles, along with various reptiles and other animals. The setting is close to nature, with paths running among the pools and vegetation, and it suits families and children; visitors can watch crocodile feeding at set times and learn about their habits and conservation. The pace is relaxed and a half day is usually enough, easy to combine with nearby coastal sights.