Slow travel getaway: why Saint-Gilles is the ideal destination

Want to slow down, really slow down?

To take the time for a sunrise, a quiet beach, a lunch that lasts all afternoon?

Slow travel in Saint-Gilles is much more than just a way to vacation.

It’s a way to reconnect with the essentials: the light, the sea, the taste of salt on the skin and the warm sand under the feet.

In this seaside resort with its understated charm, everyday life fades away.

We move at the pace of nature, markets, peaceful swims and moments without a watch.

What if luxury was this: a chosen slowness?

Latitude 21 , your hotel with ocean views in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, invites you to discover why here, every second counts twice as much.

>>> I immediately discover the rooms with ocean views

Reconnecting with nature… without performance

Here, nature is not conquered. It invites itself in. It watches you live slowly and thanks you in return.

The Hermitage lagoon, protected by the coral reef , stretches for over 12 kilometers of coastline. Shallow, often barely 1.5 meters deep, it is ideal for snorkeling in the lagoon of Reunion Island (even if you have never swum with tropical fish) .

We move slowly, we observe, we float.

The beaches? Calm. True oases, often lined with Creole houses and white sand beaches , like a setting that has remained untouched.

In the morning, you can lie on a sun lounger , or walk in the shade to the beach bar to sip a coffee while the sun sets (it’s a perfect time to disconnect from everyday life).

You are here, in the moment. Nothing else.

>>> I sampled the cuisine at the restaurant La Parenthèse

Everything is designed to slow down

There is no race in Saint-Gilles.

There are leisurely walks in Saint-Gilles , gentle activities in Reunion Island , and flexible schedules, as if the city were looking at you with a smile, saying “take your time”.

You can stroll along the seafront, watch the fishermen, take a dip in the warm water at the end of the day, or simply sit and watch.

The local market in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is worth a visit. Not for quick purchases. But for chatting. Touching. Tasting.

Local cuisine is discovered on the plate, but above all in the voices of the producers, and in the hushed descriptions of spices.

You will leave with a piece of fruit, or an accent, in mind.

A few typically slow moments in Saint-Gilles:

→ Drink a freshly squeezed mango juice on the terrace

→ Take a nap under a tree, facing the bay

→ Walking barefoot at sunrise

→ Choose a unique piece of handcrafted art while strolling down an alley

→ Read in silence in a shady corner

These little things last longer here. (And that’s just fine.)

To become rooted in Creole culture without artifice

Creole cuisine is not just delicious. It’s vibrant.

Creole restaurants in Saint-Gilles offer homemade dishes, often served with an anecdote, a wink, a touch of chili, or a recipe that is passed down without being written down.

The local markets , the small shops, the colorful houses, everything exudes a tropical atmosphere .

Even the sunsets (spectacular from Roches Noires beach) become a habit to look forward to.

We live outdoors. We live slowly .

And we quickly realize that what we were looking for elsewhere exists here, in this slow journey that reconnects us to a form of tranquility .

Latitude 21: a perfectly situated haven

What if the starting point of all this was the place where you sleep?

Latitude 21 , your hotel with sea views in Saint-Gilles , ticks all the boxes for a stress-free stay.

It’s simple: you’re up in the hills, slightly removed from the hustle and bustle, but close enough to reach everything on foot.

Some hotel rooms with terraces in Saint-Gilles offer panoramic ocean views . In the morning, you open the French doors, feel the warm air, and enjoy breakfast on the terrace . No rush. Just perfect.

The Creole restaurant in Saint-Gilles at the hotel, La Parenthèse , prioritizes fresh produce and seasonal dishes.

The atmosphere is discreet and elegant.

The outdoor pool , open all day, becomes the place for quiet afternoons and evenings bathed in golden light.

Everything is in place for you to enjoy a relaxing stay in Reunion Island , at your own pace.

No more. No less.

And that’s exactly what slow travel in Saint-Gilles promises: A break that doesn’t try to impress.

Just to make you feel good.

>>> I’m booking my slow travel stay in Saint-Gilles right now.