Piton de la Fournaise, the giant of fire

Piton de la Fournaise is around 500,000 years old and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It erupts every nine months on average, making it one of the most active volcanoes in the world! And even if eruptions can be a cause for concern, the spectacle they offer is magnificent, especially at night.

The Volcanological Observatory was set up in 1977, after a particular lava flow, to monitor volcanic activity and forecast eruptions. That year, the lava flow crossed the road in the commune of Sainte-Rose and stopped on the doorstep of the church of Notre-Dame des Laves: a miracle!

The eruptions of Piton de la Fournaise not only change the morphology of the volcano, but also that of the island itself! In 2007, for example, after the volcano erupted, 45 hectares of new land were "reclaimed" from the water. Towards Le Tremblet, lava flows reached the ocean, expanding the island's surface area! As a result, previously unknown species have been discovered off Saint-Philippe. The Piton de la Fournaise last erupted between 19 September and 5 October 2022. This eruption gave rise to the volcanic cone known as Piton Tikal.

The slopes of Piton de la Fournaise, whose massif covers almost a third of the island's surface, are not barren lava fields! On the contrary, vegetation is able to reappear very quickly after the molten rock has passed through. The first to take hold are the whitish lichens, which give a light colour to certain slopes, such as the Grandes Pentes flows. Subsequently, other plant species such as ferns, shrubs and, gradually, the forest take over.

Before embarking on the climb, make sure you are well equipped and bring woollens and rainwear, as the weather changes very quickly. The climb takes around 5 hours, but you must follow the signs. The crossing of the Plaine des Sables, a vast lunar landscape, and the view of the fumaroles from the craters are the two highlights of the climb.

The road leading to the Piton de la Fournaise crosses a totally lunar landscape: the Plaine des Sables. This expanse of slag and volcanic rock at an altitude of over 2,000 metres really does give you the impression of walking on the moon! All these landscapes, which look like something from another planet, are uninhabited: it's inside the enclosure and on the virgin slopes to the south-east that the eruptions and lava flows take place. So there is no real danger to the population of Réunion.

To understand the fascinating phenomenon that is this volcano, you need to follow the educational trail in the Enclos Fouqué, the area surrounding the Dolomieu crater that appeared in 1791. This is the volcano's largest crater, and its morphology changes with each eruption. It's not possible to do a complete tour of Piton de la Fournaise, but the waymarked path leads to an observation point at the very top, on the north side, where the view is simply superb. And depending on the volcano's activity, it's possible to descend into the crater!

For the adventurous at heart, this caving experience is one of the most impressive on offer... Imagine entering the bowels of Piton de la Fournaise and exploring lava tunnels. This underground world is open to travellers to Réunion, who can both explore it in the company of a guide and enjoy the events and activities organised there.

Creole music concerts, escape games and even meditation sessions await travellers in the blue lava tunnel. Created 22,000 years ago, it is the result of an eruption that gave rise to the Blue Piton. Inside, bluish, orange and red rocks and frozen lava stalactites are revealed by the light of a headlamp.

The Cité du Volcan was designed by vulcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft. It's a very interesting complementary visit to learn more about the scientific aspect of the volcano. The visit is ideal for families, as the exhibits are child-friendly.

This highly educational museum displays impressive images of past eruptions. With 4D cinema, augmented reality, interactive exhibitions and even a reconstructed lava tunnel, discover this fun museum and learn all about the lava giant!