Mare à Joncs sits right in the heart of Cilaos and offers one of the easiest ways to soak in the cirque’s scenery without hitting a trail. It’s a calm, shallow lake with a paved walkway around its edge, framed by towering peaks and dotted with benches and small restaurants. Families come here for the pedal boats. Couples come for a drink with a view. Hikers come to loosen stiff legs.

The air is fresh even on hot days, and if you arrive early, you might catch the surrounding peaks reflected perfectly in the still water. It's not a wild spot, but it’s one of those places where time slows down. You hear birds, smell coffee, and watch clouds drift down from the ramparts above.

👉 Order a local lentil dish at one of the lakeside eateries and sit outdoors. The lentils grown in Cilaos are famous across the island for a reason.