Entre-Deux

Where the name comes from

The municipality owes its name to its geographical position, tucked between two watercourses. This picturesque village in the southern uplands has kept a remarkable collection of traditional Creole houses.

History

L'Entre-Deux takes its name from its geographical position between two rivers — the Rivière de la Goutte and the Rivière des Remparts — which define and isolate its territory. A municipality of the western hinterland in the heart of the island, it long remained a rural area reached by a narrow road from Saint-Louis, developing market gardening and fruit growing that benefit from the microclimate of its valleys.

The village centre of L'Entre-Deux is famous for its remarkably well-preserved Creole architecture. Its Creole houses with varangues (verandas), lovingly tended gardens and brightly painted façades have earned the village national recognition: it has been listed among the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages of France) since 2002, attracting visitors in search of authentic Réunionese culture and architecture.

The municipality is also known for its spectacular hiking trails overlooking the ramparts of the Rivière des Remparts. The Belvédère viewpoint, reachable on foot from the village, offers a striking panorama over the ramparts and the Piton des Neiges. L'Entre-Deux keeps its craft traditions alive: embroidery, strawberry guava jam, agricultural rum and Creole gardens.

Landscapes

L'Entre-Deux is framed by the deep ravines of the Rivière des Remparts and the Rivière de la Goutte. The village spreads across gently sloping terraces facing the ramparts. The landscape combines carefully tended Creole gardens, tropical fruit orchards and spectacular views of the ramparts and surrounding uplands.

Local culture

L'Entre-Deux is the archetypal well-preserved Réunionese Creole village: its residents keep alive traditions of gardening, embroidery and home-made aged rum. Social life revolves around neighbourhood festivals, farmers' markets and Sunday Mass. The village is considered one of the most faithful guardians of the island's intangible Creole heritage.

Why it matters

Dimitile and Creole houses: Entre-Deux is often described as the Réunion village that has best preserved traditional Creole architecture and the way of life of the Hauts (uplands).