Reunion Island Tourism proudly announces release of new video

REUNION ISLAND – With great pride and pleasure, the Reunion Island Tourism Board (IRT) announced the launching of its first tourism video. Highlights from the video include:

Domaine du Grand Hazier

Domaine du Grand Hazier, located in Sainte-Suzanne, now belongs to the family Chassagne. The mansion, which has existed since 1960, has a perfect symmetry that opens on a majestic porch. Completely rebuilt in 1913, it was the first building on Reunion Island that was a metal structure. The owner takes you to the well-ventilated rooms on floors made of old tiles and between walls of ancient wood. The passage of time has left its footprints here, but the furniture and past memories that were piously preserved, come to life through passionate storytelling by Mr. Chassagne. Letters sent to a teenager in France to study, ancient coins, the seat of the East India Company, family photos yellowed by time – these all tell the little joys and misfortunes of a Creole dynasty.

Domaine du Grand Hazier is an important part of the historical and cultural heritage of Reunion Island. The Creole mansion with outbuildings in the heart of a huge park with gardens, Creole orchard and vegetable garden, and large driveway leading to the main road, are included in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments.

The Vanilla Plantation “La Vanilleraie”

Located in the heart of the Domaine du Grand Hazier in Sainte-Suzanne, the vanilla plantation is located 10 minutes from Roland Garros airport. This town is the birthplace of vanilla cultivation on Reunion Island. This is indeed the land of the original Domaine du Grand Hazier that were implanted with the first vanilla plants from Mexico.

Did you know that vanilla is part of the orchid family? This is also the only orchid whose fruit is edible.

Vanilla was introduced for the first time in Reunion Island in 1819 by Captain Philibert and a botanist named Perrotet. In order to be cultivated, vanilla gardening remained a confidential culture for over 20 years, lacking the natural fruiting. It was not until 1841 that Edmond Albius, a slave boy aged 12, used the process of hand pollination of vanilla, and that method is still used today. The cultivation of vanilla then became a large-scale development on Reunion Island.

To develop, vanilla needs a hot and humid tropical climate. This is why the vanilla plantations are located on the east coast of Reunion Island, which is the wettest area on the island. Most plots are located in the forest, as some shade is necessary for the proper development of the vanilla plant.

In order to preserve its flavor and its qualities, it is important to harvest the vanilla just before it opens. It is the outcome of a long process of maturation that vanilla acquires its subtle and delicate fragrance. In total, it will be nearly two years between harvesting vanilla and marketing. This is how Reunion Island’s vanilla has earned its high reputation and ranks among the best vanilla in the world. Love and patience are the key words that characterize the vanilla and make an exceptional product!

To view the Reunion Island tourism video, visit here.