Saint-Gilles is a village located along the west coast of the island of Réunion, in the

commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

of Saint-Paul. It is the site of the island's most popular

seaside resort A seaside resort is a town, village, or hotel that serves as a vacation resort and is located on a coast. Sometimes the concept includes an aspect of official accreditation based on the satisfaction of certain requirements, such as in the Germ ...

Beaches

Boucan and Roches Noires are popular surfing spots. The beach of Hermitage is protected by a corral reef and is part of the protected area of the marine park of Réunion

other attractions

* the Casino of Saint-Gilles * The ''Garden of Eden'' - a botanical garden * the sea aquarium inside of the port of Saint-Gilles * the waterfalls of Saint-Gilles river at Bassin Cormorans and Aigrettes *

whale watching Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins (cetaceans) in their natural habitat. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity (cf. birdwatching), but it can also serve scientific and/or educational purposes.Hoyt, E. 2 ...

targeting especially for

Humpback whale The humpback whale (''Megaptera novaeangliae'') is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual (a member of the family Balaenopteridae) and is the only species in the genus ''Megaptera''. Adults range in length from and weigh up to . The hu ...

s, organized by the OMAR (Observatoire Marin de la Réunion) and Globice (Groupe local d'observation et d'identification des cétacés) * the ''Grand Boucan'' - a carnival like popular party that takes place in June.Grand Boucan 2011
/ref> * Grotte de l’Autel, a cave discovered in 1980. Known for its subfossil remains of extinct birds. File:Saint-Gilles port.jpg, Port of Saint-Gilles File:CoucheSoleilSaintGilles.jpeg, Sunset at Roches Noires Beach File:L'Ermitage beach, Réunion.jpg, Beach of Hermitage File:Boucan.Canot-plage.jpg, Beach of Boucan File:St.Gillles-bassin.aigrettes.JPG, Waterfall at Bassin Aigrettes File:984-Baleines St Gilles le 250911 HD11 copyright.jpg File:Baleine Hotel 01.jpg File:Humpback whale 2009-11-25.jpg File:Michaël Rard.jpg

External links

References

Populated places in Réunion Surfing locations in Réunion {{Reunion-geo-stub