If you are looking for accommodation in Les Avirons, you can start by distinguishing between two main attractions: the Cheminée Monjol-Mondon monument in the town and the highland and forest landscapes around Tévelave within the municipality. This makes it clear early on whether your stay will focus more on cultural heritage or on nature and hiking. The Cheminée is in Les Avirons itself; several of the historical and nature-related topics below concern Tévelave, which is part of the same municipality.

Cultural Heritage and History in Tévelave

The Cheminée Monjol-Mondon, including its grounds, is fully listed as a historic monument. It was listed on 11 July 2002. For those interested in culture, the chimney itself is not the only point of interest: the grounds are also included in the protected area.

Tévelave connects local history with the island’s natural history. Botanist Thérésien Cadet (1937–1987) was born here. He made a significant contribution to improving knowledge of the island’s flora and understanding the organization of its natural vegetation. The botanical connections therefore extend beyond individual plant species to include the way the vegetation is structured.

The history of settlement is also associated with Tévelave. Century. According to local historical interpretation, Ravine Bras de Jeanne served as a supply point for Marrons fleeing enslavement during the same century. These two accounts give local history its own chronological and thematic dimension alongside the monument in Les Avirons.

Forest Landscapes and Trails Around Tévelave

Tévelave lies at an altitude of 950 metres on the edge of primary forests and is the gateway to a vast forest. This forest covers the upper part of the planèze as far as the escarpment above the cirques of Mafate and Cilaos. The landscape extends from the village to a vast forest region and the striking cirques.

The Route forestière des Tamarins crosses the forest of Tévelave towards Maïdo and connects the village to the road to Maïdo. Several hiking trails branch off from the route into a bright natural landscape. The Sentier des Ouvriers offers another way to discover the plant and animal life: it passes through endemic flora and fauna, including the Calumet des hauts. The route and the trail offer different ways to explore the landscape, without needing to combine them into a single fixed loop.

Birdwatchers have two different options. The Observatoire des Papangues provides an opportunity to observe Réunion harriers. A walk in the forest of Tévelave may also offer a chance to see a papangue, an endemic species and the only bird of prey that breeds on Réunion. The observatory is specifically for watching birds; while out walking, a sighting is possible but not guaranteed.

A Break in the Village

There is a picnic area in the village of Tévelave. It also has a snack bar serving Creole food and a boules court. These add an opportunity to take a break in the village to the hiking and forest attractions. If you would like to include the snack bar in your day’s plans, check in advance whether it will be open on the day of your visit. When choosing your accommodation and planning your stay, you can then decide whether to focus more on the monument in Les Avirons, the history of Tévelave, or the forest trails and their natural attractions.

Discover more destinations: Etang-Salé les Hauts, Saint-Philippe, Le Tampon, Entre-Deux, Saint Pierre, Manapany-Les-Bains, Casabona, Cilaos

Return to the main travel overview: Saint Pierre.