This chapter contains the Réunion Snapshots, Réunion, Hiking in Réunion and Réunion Directory chapters from Lonely Planet's Mauritius, Réunion & Seychelles guidebook. 

At first glance, culturally, Réunion is like a chunk of France teleported to the tropics. But beyond the Gallic panache, you'll soon realise it's a resplendent tapestry of influences. And geographically, jutting out of the ocean like a basaltic shield cloaked in green, it’s a mini-Hawaii, with astounding diversity – a hiker’s paradise.

• Gorge your senses on the Martian landscapes of the Plaine des Sables and the magical volcano of Piton de la Fournaise
• Go heritage-hunting among the Creole buildings of Hell-Bourg, Entre-Deux and St-Denis
• Swap stress for bliss in the perfect valley-village seclusion of Grand Bassin
• Surf and paraglide by day in St-Leu before diving into L'Hermitage-les-Bains' steamy nightlife