Get access to see location
Small cave tied to Réunion’s earliest European settlement
Category

Historic

Also

Culture

Message from Mirela Letailleur

This cave is a symbolic site in Réunion’s colonial history. Located near the Saint-Paul Bay, La Grotte des Premiers Français is where the first French settlers are believed to have lived around 1663, carving out a survival in what was then an uninhabited island. The cave itself is small and unassuming, but the surrounding park and signage give it context.

There’s not a lot to see, physically — just a hollow in the cliffside and a few memorial plaques — but the weight of what it represents is what draws people in. If you're interested in the early colonial period or just want a quiet, shady stop with some historical depth, it’s worth pulling over for.

👉 Pair it with a walk around the nearby bay or Cimetière Marin. Both sites tie together the early history of Saint-Paul.

Want to see more?

I have created an interactive travel guide to help people travel like me. Used for unforgettable trips

Nearby local secrets
Recommended byMirela Letailleur

Creators are the next-gen
travel advisors and operators

Planning your trip through social media? Now, easily access travel advice and tours created by the world's best travel content creators
Rexby
Explore
Purchases
Messages
Log in