Forêt de Mare Longue, Protected rainforest in Saint-Philippe, Réunion Island, France.
The forest extends across 68 hectares between 150 and 700 meters altitude on the slopes of Piton de la Fournaise volcano, featuring dense tropical vegetation.
The forest grows on volcanic flows from 300-400 years ago, with less than 5 percent of the original Mascarene lowland rainforest remaining today.
A memorial stone honors Thérésien Cadet, who conducted the first comprehensive vegetation studies in the forest from 1937 to 1987.
The botanical trail spans 1.9 kilometers through the forest, with information panels identifying local plant species along a one-hour walking route.
The forest root systems have adapted to grow in minimal humus layers above the volcanic soil, demonstrating natural evolution in volcanic environments.
Location: Saint-Philippe
GPS coordinates: -21.34030,55.74720
Latest update: March 24, 2025 05:07
La Réunion features volcanoes, waterfalls and mountains. The Piton des Neiges rises to 3070 meters. The island contains deep canyons, crater lakes and botanical gardens. Historical sites like Chapelle Pointue and Saint-Paul cemetery document the colonial period.
Piton de la Fournaise
11.6 km
Dolomieu Crater
11.1 km
Grand Galet Falls
11.4 km
Cratère Bory
11.4 km
Plage du Tremblet
7.9 km
Chapelle de Rosemont
12.9 km
Garden of Perfumes and Spices
2.7 km
Piton Chisny
14.1 km
La Soufrière
11.6 km
Piton de Bert
8.7 km
Rempart de Bellecombe
13.6 km
Rempart du Tremblet
6.5 km
Cascade du Trou noir
10.9 km
Piton Babet
13.7 km
Morne Langevin
13.1 km
Usine du Baril
3.6 km
Piton Rouge
12.4 km
Piton de Crac
12.5 km
Rivals Crater
10.6 km
Cheminée Le Baril
3.6 km
Cheminée Langevin
11.2 km
Nez Coupé du Tremblet
6.5 km
Cheminée Le Piton
14.1 km
Usine du Piton
14.1 km
Cheminée de La Trinité
3.1 km
Écomusée Au bon roi Louis
2.9 km
Usine Langevin
11.2 km
Chapelle de la Trinité de Grand Coude
13.8 kmReviews
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