Réunion’s open-air markets: the day-by-day guide

Where can you find an open-air market (marché forain) in Réunion today? From the Saint-Paul seafront to the neighbourhood squares of Saint-Denis, the island lives to the rhythm of its markets from Wednesday to Sunday. Here is the day-by-day calendar of the big markets, what to taste there and our tips for enjoying them like a local.

Why go to an open-air market in Réunion?

The open-air market is the best summary of the island in a single morning. You will find fruit and vegetables from growers in the Hauts (the uplands), spices from the east coast, Creole dishes to take away and a few crafts. It is also a place where life happens: people chat in Creole, bump into their neighbours and take the pulse of the season.

For a traveller, it is the ideal place to discover fruits péi (local fruit), buy vanilla directly from the sellers and nibble on a still-warm samoussa (samosa). Our page dedicated to the island’s open-air markets lists the main markets town by town.

An important point before you go: days and times may change (public holidays, roadworks, bad weather, cyclone season). The information below was checked in November 2026 with the towns where they publish it, and with local guides otherwise. A quick look at the town hall website the day before remains the best guarantee.

Which markets are on Wednesday and Thursday?

Midweek belongs to the neighbourhood markets, smaller and quieter.

Wednesday

• Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, L’Éperon and La Saline: according to the Ville de Saint-Paul, markets are held on Wednesdays from 7 am to 12 noon in these western neighbourhoods.
• Plateau Caillou (Saint-Paul): an afternoon market, on Wednesdays from 12.30 pm to 6 pm, according to the same source.
• Le Chaudron (Saint-Denis): Wednesday morning, near the neighbourhood church. It is one of the capital’s most popular markets, known for its low prices.

Thursday

• Bras-Panon: the Thursday morning market of the vanilla town, on the east coast. You will find produce from the neighbouring farms.
• La Source (Saint-Denis): a neighbourhood market is reported on Thursday mornings; check with the Saint-Denis town hall before you go.

Which market to choose on Friday and Saturday?

This is the highlight of the week, with the island’s two best-known markets.

Friday

• Saint-Paul, seafront: the big Saint-Paul market opens on Fridays from 7 am to 4 pm, according to the Ville de Saint-Paul. The stalls stretch out facing the bay: fruit, vegetables, spices, Creole dishes, Malagasy and Réunionese crafts. Late Friday morning is the liveliest time.
• Les Camélias (Saint-Denis): a neighbourhood market is reported on Friday mornings, to be confirmed with the town.

Saturday

• Saint-Paul: the market continues on Saturdays from 7 am to 12 noon. The growers’ stalls are often best stocked early in the morning.
• Saint-Pierre: the Saint-Pierre market is held on Saturday mornings on the seafront, on the Ravine Blanche side. Ideal to combine with a stroll along the seafront of the south’s capital.
• Saint-Benoît: on Saturday mornings, the market brings together the growers and traders of the east’s capital.

Open-air markets in Réunion: where to go on Sunday?

On Sunday mornings, several markets take over, including some in the Hauts.

• Le Chaudron (Saint-Denis): the second market of the week, on Sunday mornings.
• Mail de Rodrigues (Saint-Paul): on Sundays from 7 am to 1.30 pm, according to the Ville de Saint-Paul.
• Cilaos: in the heart of the cirque, the Sunday morning market in Cilaos is a chance to buy the cirque’s lentils and discover the local embroidery.

Good to know: the Grand Marché in Saint-Denis is not an open-air market but a covered hall, open Monday to Saturday. It comes in handy on days without a market and brings together crafts, basketwork and spices.

What to taste and buy at the market

Each season has its stars, but some classics can be found all year round at an open-air market in Réunion.

• Fruits péi: mangoes, Victoria pineapples, passion fruit, goyaviers (strawberry guavas) depending on the season. At the end of the year, letchis (lychees), Réunion’s Christmas fruit, take over the stalls.
• Creole snacks: samoussas, bonbons piment (chilli fritters), bouchons (steamed dumplings) and pâtés créoles (Creole pies), ideal for a breakfast on the go. To understand the Chinese heritage behind bouchons, read our article on Sino-Réunionese cuisine.
• Spices and condiments: turmeric (“safran péi”), massalé (Réunion’s Tamil-style spice blend), chillies, achards (pickled vegetables) and rougails (spicy relishes) in jars.
• Vanilla: pods sold in tubes or bundles. Ask where it comes from: vanilla produced on the island carries the PGI “Vanille de l’île de La Réunion”.
• Crafts: basketwork, wooden objects, textiles and, in Cilaos, embroidery.

Our tips for making the most of an open-air market

1. Come early. Between 7 and 9 am, it is cooler, the stalls are fully stocked and parking is easier.
2. Bring change. Many small growers prefer cash, even though card payment is becoming more common.
3. Bring a bag and a basket. Delicate fruit travels better in a shopping bag.
4. Ask to taste. Sellers are happy to let you try a fruit or an achard: it is also a chance to exchange a few words in Creole.
5. Protect yourself from the sun. At the coastal markets, a hat and water are essential, especially in the southern summer.
6. Check the weather. During the cyclone season, a market may be cancelled; check our Réunion weather page before setting off.

To find out which market is on near you today, download the Nout Péi app or browse our market guides on the site.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest open-air market in Réunion?

The Saint-Paul market, on the seafront, is the best known and one of the biggest on the island. It is held on Fridays from 7 am to 4 pm and on Saturdays from 7 am to 12 noon, according to the Ville de Saint-Paul.

Are there open-air markets on Sundays in Réunion?

Yes. On Sunday mornings, you can go to the Le Chaudron market in Saint-Denis, the Mail de Rodrigues market in Saint-Paul or the Cilaos market, among others. Check opening times with the town before you go.

What time should you go to the market?

As early as possible, ideally before 9 am. The stalls are better stocked, the heat more bearable and the atmosphere already in full swing; most markets close around midday.