THE MYSTERIES OF VETIVER

Mr. Didier Hoareau is a local of the island who is working hard to make sure one of the treasures of the island’s farming industry, vetiver, is kept alive.

This farmer offers tours for visitors to learn all about this grass, as well as other crops (bananas, sugarcane, pineapple, coffee, various citrus fruit, etc.) that make the Reunion Island’s farming world so fascinating.
On this tour, visitors will find out about vetiver, from the root to the leaf, and they’ll have the opportunity to harvest and transform the crop.


Activity schedule:
• 1:45pm: Meet at Far Far de Bezaves, in the highlands of Saint-Joseph.
Various steps of the tour:
1) Geographic location for the farm and surrounding environment.
2) Drying, storing, and preparation areas and vetiver utilisation.
3) Walk through the fields: sugarcane, taro, coffee, pineapple, citrus fruit, geranium, edible leaves, etc.
4) Stop off in a vetiver field overlooking the entire coast.
5) Practical workshop: depending on the season, visitors take part in harvesting or planting.
6) Stop off at a traditional still: distillation of the plant to make essential oils and vetiver floral water.
7) Opportunity for discussion as visitors enjoy a péi (local) cake and hot or cold drink.


- A real experience of the farming world.
- Discover an authentic product that is renowned worldwide (often used to make perfumes and other products).
- Mr. Hoareau is one of the last vetiver farmers on Reunion Island.



PROGRAMME:
This experience is scheduled every Wednesday afternoon.
You are advised to make a booking 24 hrs in advance.
The activity may be cancelled by the service provider in the event of unfavourable weather conditions. Min.: 1 person - Max.: 15 people
Please note: Depending on the season, the harvest and the weather, the workshop in the field could take place in the storage area and may be modified to adapt to conditions (make your own boxes of vetiver roots or bundles of vetiver leaves, sorting the crops, etc.).

ACTIVITY DURATION:
Approximately 2 hours.

PRICES:
From:
Aged 13 and over: €8/person.
Between the ages of 4 and 12: €4/child
No charge for children under the age of 3.
This price includes: the guided tour, the practical workshop, refreshments at the end of the tour. There is a selection of products available, made from vetiver or other plants from the Far Far Bézaves plantation.
Remember to bring: : Casual clothing, hat, sunglasses, raincoat, shoes such as trainers or walking shoes (no open-toed sandals), a bottle of water.

INFORMATION/BOOKINGS
For more information go to www.reunion.fr
Or by telephone:
Didier Hoareau: +262 (0)6 92 1 9 97 93
Tourist Office for the South: +262 (0)2 62 37 37 11


This experience is subject to changes throughout the year. Please consult the regularly updated IRT website: www.reunion.fr
This service provider respects the directives and recommendations issued by public authorities concerning the Covid-19 epidemic.