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| Cilaos | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cilaos |
| Settlement type | Commune |
| Country | France |
| Region | Réunion |
| Department | Réunion |
| Arrondissement | Saint-Pierre, Réunion |
| Canton | Saint-Louis-2 |
| Area km2 | 152.68 |
| Population | 4750 |
| Population as of | 2019 census |
| Elevation m | 1200–3071 |
Cilaos is a commune and cirque located on the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. Nestled within a steep volcanic amphitheatre formed by erosion of the Piton des Neiges massif, it is renowned for thermal springs, mountain agriculture, and hiking routes connecting to peaks such as Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges. The town functions as a center for tourism and alpine-style culture within the overseas department of France.
The commune sits in a glacial-like caldera known locally as a cirque, carved from the extinct shield volcano of Piton des Neiges and bounded by dramatic escarpments including La Roche Merveilleuse, Le Taibit, and Les Trois Salazes. Rivers such as the Bras Sec and Saint-Etienne River drain the amphitheatre toward the Saint-Pierre, Réunion plain and the Indian Ocean. Nearby geographic features include the volcanic cone Piton de la Fournaise, the plateau of Plaine des Cafres, and the ravines of Mafate and Salazie. The commune's altitude ranges from roughly 1200 to over 3000 metres, giving steep topographic gradients that support terraced agriculture and biodiverse mountain forests classified within the Réunion National Park.
Human presence in the cirques increased after the early colonial era of Réunion when settlers, freed slaves, and indentured laborers moved into inland valleys. The area was influenced by colonial administrators from Saint-Denis, Réunion and settlers from France who developed vineyards and chestnut orchards. In the 19th century, entrepreneurs and botanists from Paris and Marseilles studied local flora while engineers constructed the winding road access from Saint-Louis, Réunion and Le Tampon. Events such as volcanic eruptions of Piton de la Fournaise and cyclones like Cyclone Hyacinthe affected settlement patterns and infrastructure. Twentieth-century developments included the growth of thermal tourism inspired by spa towns in Vichy and Aix-les-Bains, and postwar integration into the administrative structures of France.
The population reflects the multicultural heritage of Réunion with ancestries tracing to France, Madagascar, India, China, East Africa and Comoros. Census figures recorded by INSEE show a small, aging population concentrated in the main town and surrounding hamlets such as Grand Ilet and La Nouvelle. Linguistic practices include French as the official language and Réunion Creole in daily life; religious affiliations involve Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, and Islam, with festivals observed from communities linked to Tamil Nadu, Goa, Madagascar, and Mozambique. Migration trends include seasonal tourism workers from Saint-Pierre, Réunion and return migration from Metropolitan France.
Economic activity centers on mountain agriculture, artisanal crafts, and tourism. Key crops include lentils, chestnuts, and grapes for local wines, marketed alongside products from the Vanilla and Sugarcane sectors prevalent on Réunion. Small-scale cooperatives sell honey, lentil varietals, and locally produced cheese to markets in Saint-Denis, Réunion and Saint-Pierre, Réunion. Tourism businesses offer guided treks to peaks such as Piton des Neiges, canyoning in ravines like Rivière des Galets, and spa services inspired by thermal sites in Vichy. Public services employ staff from institutions such as the Préfecture de La Réunion and the municipal administration, while national programs from France fund infrastructure and conservation projects.
Cultural life blends Creole traditions with influences from France, India, and Madagascar. Annual events include religious processions tied to Roman Catholicism and Tamil festivals connected to communities from Tamil Nadu. Architectural features include Creole houses and colonial-era chapels reminiscent of styles found in Bourbon and Saint-Denis, Réunion. Major attractions are the natural thermal baths, the hiking trails to Piton des Neiges, the panoramic viewpoints over the cirque, and festivals in hamlets like Ilet à Cordes and Ilet à Bourse. Museums and visitor centers interpret volcanic geology linking to studies by naturalists from Paris Museum of Natural History and explorers who mapped Réunion.
Access is primarily via the sinuous road from Saint-Louis, Réunion and the RN5 network, featuring numerous hairpin bends and tunnels engineered in the 20th century. Public transport links include regional bus services connecting to Saint-Pierre, Réunion and Saint-Denis, Réunion, while private shuttle operators run seasonal routes from airports such as Roland Garros Airport. Mountain trails connect the commune to neighboring cirques like Mafate and Salazie and to mountaineering routes frequented by guides certified by regional associations. Emergency access and logistics depend on coordination with agencies in Saint-Pierre, Réunion and prefectoral services.
Situated at high altitude, the commune experiences a microclimate with cool temperatures, frequent mists, and high precipitation influenced by the South Indian Ocean trade winds and tropical cyclones from the Mascarene Basin. Vegetation zones range from lowland exotic gardens to high-elevation endemic cloud forests protected under Réunion National Park and UNESCO designations. Conservation efforts focus on endemic species such as the Réunion Cuckoo-shrike and endemic plants catalogued by botanists from Kew Gardens and Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. Environmental management addresses erosion, invasive species like Guava and Miconia calvescens, and sustainable tourism promoted by regional bodies including Conseil Régional de La Réunion.
Category:Communes of Réunion