Saint-Denis: Garden, City History and Creole Architecture

There are many specific ways to discover Saint-Denis: Creole architecture along Rue de Paris, unusual plants in the Jardin de l’Etat and a Sunday afternoon at the Barachois. The city’s history is reflected in a wide range of places – a villa with well-known former residents, a museum with a long history and a mosque with distinctive architectural features. Which of these aspects interests you most may also influence your choice of a holiday rental in Saint-Denis.

A Sunday afternoon at the Barachois and stories along Rue de Paris

On Sunday afternoons, the Barachois is closed to traffic; families make use of the carousel and playgrounds. The recurring closure and the facilities on site give this time of day its own character. If you want to experience the Barachois, plan your visit specifically for a Sunday afternoon. For families, a look at the city’s history is not the only possible activity here: the carousel and playgrounds offer a different focus. This means you can take into account, when planning your stay, which experiences you want to prioritise.

Rue de Paris also invites you to explore the history and Creole architecture of Saint-Denis. You can explore the street with a guide or independently, discovering its stories and anecdotes along the way. Villa Déramond is on Rue de Paris. Léon Dierx’s grandparents lived there, followed later by Raymond Barre’s grandparents. The villa features typical Creole colonial architecture, with verandas and lambrequins. Its family history and architecture each offer a different way to learn about the villa: one through its former residents, the other through its architectural features.

Garden, plants and museum in the Jardin de l’Etat

Botanical highlights and cultural attractions come together in the Jardin de l’Etat. Its rare plants and remarkable trees include a cannonball tree and a century-old talipot palm. This talipot blooms only once and then dies. It is a striking detail for anyone who wants to take note of plants and particular features of nature while visiting the city.

The garden also has a stage area for events, as well as a dedicated space for exhibitions and art. Its offerings therefore go beyond its botanical features. The Muséum d’histoire naturelle is also located in the Jardin de l’Etat. It opened in 1855 and was the first museum on Réunion; it was designated a Monument historique in 1978. Those interested in culture and city history will find a different focus here from the plants in the garden. You can weigh up these different themes as you plan, without having to limit yourself to just one side of the city.

Architecture and connections in the cityscape

Another architectural landmark is the Noor-e-Islam Mosque on Rue Maréchal Leclerc. It is one of the oldest mosques in France and has a courtyard and Indian arcades. These features make it an interesting place for readers who want to explore architectural forms and cultural heritage. Villa Déramond, the Noor-e-Islam Mosque and the museum each offer a different perspective: Creole colonial architecture, a courtyard with Indian arcades, and the history of a cultural institution.

The panoramic lift is another feature that helps you navigate the cityscape, connecting Bas de la Rivière with the upper part of downtown Saint-Denis. This link adds another perspective on the city to its cultural and architectural attractions.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Le Brûlé, La Possession, Centre, Sainte Clotilde and Saint-Marie.

Back to the main travel overview: Saint Denis.