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Réunion🇷🇪 | townsLa PossessionSentier Marin, Mafate rim, working waterfront | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in La Possession
👌 Worth visitingtown ranked #14
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

La Possession suits travelers who like a working town with sea air and a few real sights, and anyone using it as a gateway to the Mafate cirque. If you want hostel crowds and nightlife, you will find it thin. It sits in the northwest of Réunion, between Saint-Denis and Le Port, on a narrow strip under dark basalt cliffs. Streets smell of grilled corn and salt, the waterfront at Ravine à Marquet hums with joggers, and the Sentier Marin gives you the Indian Ocean breaking on black rock. Evenings are quiet and few backpackers linger. It suits hikers, slow travelers and anyone who wants calm; party seekers should look elsewhere.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Réunion Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #14 town in RéunionReasons people choose to visit here

La Possession is the doorway to Mafate, the roadless cirque that most hikers come to Réunion for, and the trailheads at Sentier Scout and Dos d’Âne start close to town. Staying here means you can leave early with a full pack and not fight Saint-Denis traffic. Beyond that, the town is a low-key coastal base with a long sea promenade, a bakery on most corners and a pace that suits solo travelers and small groups who prefer sleep over bars. Most people stay one or two nights before or after a trek, and the Bay of La Possession makes a pleasant place to stretch tired legs.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of La Possession

  1. Sentier Marin: A coastal path along black volcanic rock and ocean spray, with fishermen and sea views. Go in the morning before the heat. Free, 1 to 2 hours.
  2. Ravine à Marquet waterfront: A broad seafront promenade and beach for strolling, picnics and watching evening joggers. Late afternoon is best. Free, 1 hour.
  3. Maison Rouge cemetery area and old center: Walk the old streets and the church of Notre-Dame de la Possession to see the town’s colonial roots. Mornings are cooler. Free, 45 minutes.
  4. Sentier Scout trail: A steep climb from the edge of town toward the Mafate rim, with sweeping views over the bay and cliffs. Start at dawn. Free, 3 to 5 hours for a partial climb.
  5. Marché forain: A local market selling fruit, vegetables, samosas and spices. Go early in the morning. Entry free, snacks about
… read more 👉
  1. Sentier Marin: A coastal path along black volcanic rock and ocean spray, with fishermen and sea views. Go in the morning before the heat. Free, 1 to 2 hours.
  2. Ravine à Marquet waterfront: A broad seafront promenade and beach for strolling, picnics and watching evening joggers. Late afternoon is best. Free, 1 hour.
  3. Maison Rouge cemetery area and old center: Walk the old streets and the church of Notre-Dame de la Possession to see the town’s colonial roots. Mornings are cooler. Free, 45 minutes.
  4. Sentier Scout trail: A steep climb from the edge of town toward the Mafate rim, with sweeping views over the bay and cliffs. Start at dawn. Free, 3 to 5 hours for a partial climb.
  5. Marché forain: A local market selling fruit, vegetables, samosas and spices. Go early in the morning. Entry free, snacks about €1 to 4, 45 minutes.
La Possession also makes a good launch for day trips to Mafate’s Marla and La Nouvelle, the Cap Noir viewpoint, and Saint-Denis. Sentier Marin and Ravine à Marquet fit well together in one day, walking the rocks in the morning and the promenade at dusk.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

La Possession is compact, and every area below sits within a 20 to 30 minute walk of the next, except the heights.
  • Centre-ville and the Hôtel de Ville: A few streets of low Creole facades, a bakery on every corner, and the smell of butter and hot baguette by 6 a.m. Walk it in under 20 minutes and you end up with a coffee on a shaded terrace.
  • Front de mer and Port Ouest: A long seafront promenade where joggers, fishermen and trucks share the noise of the nearby port. The shingle beach is rough underfoot, but the view of the cliff-backed bay is wide.
  • Rivière des Galets: A broad boulder-strewn riverbed on the edge of town, dry and white in the heat, with the cliffs towering above. Flat, exposed, and you get a quiet hour with the pebbles and the sky.
  • Sainte-Thérèse and the hills: Steep residential
… read more 👉
La Possession is compact, and every area below sits within a 20 to 30 minute walk of the next, except the heights.
  • Centre-ville and the Hôtel de Ville: A few streets of low Creole facades, a bakery on every corner, and the smell of butter and hot baguette by 6 a.m. Walk it in under 20 minutes and you end up with a coffee on a shaded terrace.
  • Front de mer and Port Ouest: A long seafront promenade where joggers, fishermen and trucks share the noise of the nearby port. The shingle beach is rough underfoot, but the view of the cliff-backed bay is wide.
  • Rivière des Galets: A broad boulder-strewn riverbed on the edge of town, dry and white in the heat, with the cliffs towering above. Flat, exposed, and you get a quiet hour with the pebbles and the sky.
  • Sainte-Thérèse and the hills: Steep residential lanes that climb toward the Maïdo road, with roosters, woodsmoke and cooler air. Bring legs, and you get a sweeping look at the coast.

⌛️ 1 day1-day itinerary for La Possession

A trail-and-seafront day, easy on the legs and heavy on views.
7:30 AM, Marché forain: Start with coffee, a pastry and a samosa from market stalls. Watch locals shop for fruit and spices, then walk toward the old center.
9:00 AM, Old center and church: Wander the quiet streets and Notre-Dame de la Possession to see how the town grew around the sea. It is a short walk from here to the coast.
10:30 AM, Sentier Marin: Follow the coastal path over black rocks and watch waves hit the shore. Bring water and a hat.
1:00 PM, Lunch near Ravine à Marquet: Eat a plate of rice and Creole curry or a cheap sandwich near the promenade, then rest in the shade.
3:00 PM, Sentier Scout lower slopes: Off the usual beach circuit, climb the first stretch for views over the bay and cliffs. Turn back before it gets steep. … read more 👉
A trail-and-seafront day, easy on the legs and heavy on views.
7:30 AM, Marché forain: Start with coffee, a pastry and a samosa from market stalls. Watch locals shop for fruit and spices, then walk toward the old center.
9:00 AM, Old center and church: Wander the quiet streets and Notre-Dame de la Possession to see how the town grew around the sea. It is a short walk from here to the coast.
10:30 AM, Sentier Marin: Follow the coastal path over black rocks and watch waves hit the shore. Bring water and a hat.
1:00 PM, Lunch near Ravine à Marquet: Eat a plate of rice and Creole curry or a cheap sandwich near the promenade, then rest in the shade.
3:00 PM, Sentier Scout lower slopes: Off the usual beach circuit, climb the first stretch for views over the bay and cliffs. Turn back before it gets steep.
5:30 PM, Ravine à Marquet waterfront: Finish on the promenade as joggers pass and the light fades over the ocean.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

The cool, dry months from May to October suit La Possession best, with highs around 24 to 27°C (75 to 81°F) on the coast and lows near 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F).
  • Austral Winter (May to October): Clear skies, comfortable walking, and about 11 hours of daylight. School holidays in July and August lift prices and fill beds.
  • Summer (November to April): Hot and humid, 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F), with about 13 hours of daylight. Cyclone risk peaks from January to March, but prices drop.
  • Shoulder Months: November and early May bring warm sea and thin crowds.
Book flights and rental cars early for July and August.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Réunion

The center of La Possession around the Hôtel de Ville is the best base, with the Sainte-Thérèse slopes as a quieter second choice. Hostels are rare locally, so expect simple guesthouses, Creole gîtes and rooms from about €40 to 60 a night, and a dorm bed mostly means going to Saint-Denis. The center puts bakeries, supermarkets and the bus stops within a few minutes' walk. Streets empty out early but feel calm at night, with little noise beyond traffic near the seafront road. Sainte-Thérèse is cooler and quieter, but the hill roads are steep and unlit in places, so a night return on foot is tiring. Book ahead for July and August.


Best quality hotels in Réunion

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

Renting a car for a stay centered on La Possession is the mistake that burns the most cash, because the Alizé buses and walking cover almost everything you need, and parking in Saint-Denis or at trailheads is a hassle. The town sits on the coast road beside the port, so traffic on the Route du Littoral clogs at rush hour. Buses are reliable but thin on Sundays.
  • Walking: The center and seafront take 15 to 20 minutes end to end. Shade is scarce at midday, so you get the best light and coolest air early.
  • Car’lyo and Alizé buses: Single tickets cost about €1.80, and lines run roughly from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Windows down, you pass cliffs and sugarcane to Saint-Denis in 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Taxi: A ride to Saint-Denis costs about €25 to 35, or €30 to 40 to the airport, handy for late arrivals when the buses
… read more 👉
Renting a car for a stay centered on La Possession is the mistake that burns the most cash, because the Alizé buses and walking cover almost everything you need, and parking in Saint-Denis or at trailheads is a hassle. The town sits on the coast road beside the port, so traffic on the Route du Littoral clogs at rush hour. Buses are reliable but thin on Sundays.
  • Walking: The center and seafront take 15 to 20 minutes end to end. Shade is scarce at midday, so you get the best light and coolest air early.
  • Car’lyo and Alizé buses: Single tickets cost about €1.80, and lines run roughly from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Windows down, you pass cliffs and sugarcane to Saint-Denis in 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Taxi: A ride to Saint-Denis costs about €25 to 35, or €30 to 40 to the airport, handy for late arrivals when the buses have stopped.
  • Hitchhiking and car rental: Locals sometimes pick up hikers on the Maïdo road. Rentals start at about €30 to 45 a day and are worth it only for the Maïdo viewpoint and the west coast.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for La Possession

La Possession costs a backpacker about €110 a day in high season, which is steep because Réunion is French and prices follow suit.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodation€35 to 55Few dorms locally, so a simple room or gîte is typical; July and August cost most.
Meals€25 to 35Bakery breakfast, a €10 to 14 Creole plat du jour, self-catered dinner.
Local transport€4 to 8Bus tickets around €1.80 each ride.
Basic activities/entry fees€0 to 10Walks and viewpoints are free; museums are modest.
Miscellaneous expenses€8 to 12Water, snacks, sunscreen, SIM card.
Total Daily Budget€110High season, one bed included.
Buy lunch at a bakery or market and cook dinner with supermarket food to save about €10 to 15 daily.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsWhere to go beyond the main area

La Possession puts you on the northwest coast with fast bus and road links, so day trips are easy if you start early.Maïdo Viewpoint: A winding road climbs to a rim over the Mafate cirque, with cool air and drifting cloud. By car it takes about an hour, and buses are limited, so a rental or shared ride (€15 to 30 total) works. Go before 9 a.m., because clouds fill the view by noon.
Saint-Denis: The capital has the Jardin de l’État, Creole houses on the Rue de Paris and a lively market. The bus takes 30 to 45 minutes for about €1.80 each way. Avoid Sunday, when many shops close.
👉 Explore Saint-DenisCap Méchant and Saint-Paul Market: Saint-Paul has a Friday and Saturday market beside the sea, with fruit, spices and grilled snacks. Allow 40 minutes by bus for roughly €2 to 4, and plan a lunch around €8 to 12. Arrive early before the heat.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

La Possession is calm, and violent crime against visitors is rare. Petty theft from parked cars at trailheads and beaches is the usual problem, so leave nothing visible and keep valuables with you. Walk the center and seafront freely in daylight, and at night stick to the lit streets. Solo travelers are generally fine, though hill roads toward Sainte-Thérèse are unlit. The sun and swell cause more harm than people do. Avoid swimming off the seafront because of strong currents and shark risk along this coast, and stay out of the river bed when rain falls inland.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

La Possession works better as a base or short stop than a destination of its own. The seafront, the Rivière des Galets and the cliff-backed bay are pleasant for a morning, while the Maïdo road and Saint-Denis lie within reach by bus or car in 30 to 60 minutes. Rooms run about €40 to 60 a night.
One to two days is enough for La Possession itself. Spend half a day on the seafront and center, then add a day for the Maïdo viewpoint or a market in Saint-Paul. Staying three days only makes sense if you use it as a base for the northwest coast.
Yes, La Possession is easy as a day trip from Saint-Denis, about 30 to 45 minutes by bus for roughly €1.80 each way. It is also reachable from Saint-Paul in about 25 to 40 minutes. Buses are thin on Sundays, so plan the return before the early evening.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Réunionnais towns near La Possession

Explore more nearby:

  • Le Port—Commercial harbor, street art, industrial zone| 5 km away
  • Saint-Gilles-les-Bains—Resort town, nightlife, marina| 17 km away
  • Trois-Bassins—Hillside village, panoramic views, agricultural land| 20 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

La Possession is for hikers, slow travelers and anyone who likes an easy launch pad. Sleep here before Mafate and start early, because the trail gets hot fast. Skip it if you want nightlife, and carry cash for market snacks.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Réunion. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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