Caverne Gendarme

Useful Information

Location:	Puits Arabe car park, Rte Forestière 34 du Puits Arabe, Saint-Philippe 97442, Réunion. Follow road N2 along the east coast, the turnoff is at the Puits Arabe bus stop at Saint Philippe. 40 minutes walk to the cave entrance. (-21.3343558, 55.7943015)
Open:	All year daily 8:30, 13:30. Online booking required. [2023]
Fee:	Adults EUR 50. Groups (4+): Adults EUR 45. Groups (6+): Adults EUR 40. [2023]
Classification:	lava tube
Light:	helmet and headlamp provided
Dimension:	T=21-24 °C, H=100 %.
Guided tours:	D=3 h, Min=6, Max=6-9,
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Kokapat Rando Reunion, 109 Chem. Farjeau, Le Tampon 97430, Réunion, Tel: +262-692-699-414, Tel: +262-262-333-014. E-mail: Envergure Réunion, Rue Fond Generese, St Paul 97460, Réunion, Tel: +262-693-43-23-52. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Caverne Gendarme (Constable's Cave) is a 250 years old lava tube. The floor of the cave was oxidized by the dripping water, so it has become a reddish-brown or orange colour, which is quite exceptional. The Yeti Gallery has a 10 m long root of a tree on the surface.

This tour does not require to crawl, but if you insist you can crawl the La Renaissance (The Renaissance). Starting at a forest road there is a 40 minutes walk through a vanilla plantation to the cave entrance. The underground tour takes about 1.5 hours.

The visitors are equipped with helmet, headlamp, knee pads, and gloves. Wear good walking shoes and old clothes which may become dirty or tear, bring clothes to change afterwards. Also, you should bring at least 1.5 l water and some food, as the trips take 3 hours. Online booking on their website is required.