Bourg Murat, Reunion
Côté Volcan
📍 8, rue Josémont Lauret, Bourg Murat, 97418
Photo: official website
Your stay — Côté Volcan
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Bourg Murat.
The Property — Côté Volcan
Côté Volcan feels more like a mountain lodge than a typical three-star: exposed stone, dark wood, and big windows aimed at the volcano. The USP is location—it sits on the Plaine des Cafres plateau, 1,500m up, with direct access to trails into the Cirque de Cilaos and Réunion's central highlands. The lobby has a peat-fire smell, a wall of old crater photos, and boots drying by the stove. It suits hikers and volcano chasers, not beach-goers.
Chronicles of Bourg Murat
Bourg Murat started as a tiny farming hamlet in the 19th century, named after Joachim Murat (Napoleon's brother-in-law) by a French governor who owned land here. It never grew much—population hovers around 1,000—because the volcanic soil and altitude (1,550m) limit intensive agriculture. The architecture is plain: low Creole houses with corrugated iron roofs, built to shed tropical rain. Today it's a quiet base camp for the Piton de la Fournaise hikes, with a post office, a few bakeries, and a petrol station being its main civic infrastructure.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bourg Murat guide →Best months
June–August: austral winter, clear skies, cool days (15–20°C), dry trails for volcano treks. Crowds are moderate—mainly European tourists—but nowhere near the summer crush.
Peak / festival surge
July: school holidays across Europe and Réunion drive peak bookings. Hotel rates at Côté Volcan often double from low-season prices. The Saint-Denis Grand Raid footrace (late October) also swells demand in Bourg Murat as a training hub.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: still dry, weather stable, but fewer hikers. Discounts of 20–30% over July rates. The fog lifts by late morning; you can often walk the volcano trails with only a handful of other people.
Weather & packing
The plateau is notorious for katabatic winds that drop temperature 10°C in minutes when clouds spill over the crater rim. Pack a windproof, insulated jacket and a buff—you'll use both every day, even in July.
Live City Briefing — Bourg Murat
- The RN3 between Plaine-des-Palmistes and Bourg Murat has been under resurfacing since March 2026; expect 15-minute delays on weekdays through the end of the year.
- A new food truck market opened on Rue de la Mairie in May 2026, serving local samoussas, rougail saucisse, and fresh lychee juice—open Fridays and Saturdays only.
- Piton de la Fournaise's most recent eruption ended in February 2026; the trail to the crater rim is fully accessible, but check the Maison du Volcan visitor centre for any supplementary closure notices due to seismic warnings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Côté Volcan, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper floors on the side facing away from Rue Josémont Lauret, ideally the top floor (third floor) for less foot traffic noise and better ventilation.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms and those directly facing the street (even numbers) will catch morning market noise and passersby; lower floors also risk dust from the road.
Best views
Side or rear rooms may see the volcanic slopes and Piton de la Fournaise area; street-side ones look onto a busy commercial road in Bourg Murat.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are quietest, away from the restaurant/bar on ground level and street activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Rue Josémont Lauret is the main drag through Bourg Murat, with local traffic, delivery vans, and market stalls starting early. The hotel's ground-floor bar can be lively on weekends.
Insider tips
Parking is tight – arrive early to snag one of the few free spots on the street. Ask reception for a room away from the bar if you're a light sleeper; they're usually helpful.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Côté Volcan
Free Wi-Fi, good for browsing and email, about 15 Mbps. Login code from reception, no time limit
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand or physical papers available
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Luggage drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out €30 until 14:00 (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage at reception on arrival and after check-out
Step-free entrance from street; lift to all floors. No adapted bathrooms. Not suitable for wheelchairs in shower areas
Free on-site private parking for about 20 cars (first come, first served). No EV charging. Nearest public car park is Place de la Mairie, 200 m away, €5 overnight
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.10 per person per night (16+)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 card hold on arrival for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Cité du Volcan — 800 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Ti boutik étik — 859 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use local bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid the airport bureau de change which gives poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless is common. Smaller vendors and markets may be cash-only.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service. Round up the bill in restaurants or leave 5–10%; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple espresso or filter coffee at a café or takeaway stand, around €1.50–2.50.
A sandwich or filled baguette from a boulangerie or snack bar, about €5–8.
A main course at a local pizza or pasta place or crêperie, from €10–15.
No dedicated street food area in Bourg Murat; look for food trucks or small stands near the market square for samosas and grilled meats.
Super U and Leader Price are the main budget supermarket chains in the area.
Second-hand shops and small boutiques around the town centre offer affordable clothing; no large high-street chains.
Kar'Ouest bus network day pass around €5; from the airport, take a shuttle bus (€2–3) to Saint-Pierre then local bus inland.
Eat at markets for affordable local dishes; buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets not tourist kiosks; use bus passes instead of taxis.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bourg Murat, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Côté Volcan
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Saint-Pierre bus station → Bourg Murat
💡 If you're returning from the coast, catch the collective taxi from Saint-Pierre rather than the bus – it's faster and barely more expensive.
Bourg Murat bus stop → Pas de Bellecombe (trailhead for Piton de la Fournaise)
💡 This only runs in high season (June–Nov). Otherwise, hitch a ride or arrange a taxi split with other hikers – there's always a group at the bus stop.
Roland Garros Airport bus stop (outside terminal) → Bourg Murat bus stop (Route des Plaines)
💡 Take the 'Plaines' direction line – check times on the 'Caraïbes' app the day before. Last bus stops before 18:00 so don't deplane late.
Roland Garros Airport (RUN) → Côté Volcan, Bourg Murat
💡 Book via the hotel's recommended driver – it's about the same price and they'll wait for you even if your flight's late.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Côté Volcan?
Request upper floors on the side facing away from Rue Josémont Lauret, ideally the top floor (third floor) for less foot traffic noise and better ventilation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Côté Volcan?
Ground-floor rooms and those directly facing the street (even numbers) will catch morning market noise and passersby; lower floors also risk dust from the road.
Is Côté Volcan noisy?
Rue Josémont Lauret is the main drag through Bourg Murat, with local traffic, delivery vans, and market stalls starting early. The hotel's ground-floor bar can be lively on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Côté Volcan?
Side or rear rooms may see the volcanic slopes and Piton de la Fournaise area; street-side ones look onto a busy commercial road in Bourg Murat.
What are insider tips for staying at Côté Volcan?
Parking is tight – arrive early to snag one of the few free spots on the street. Ask reception for a room away from the bar if you're a light sleeper; they're usually helpful.
What time is check-in at Côté Volcan?
Check-in at Côté Volcan is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Côté Volcan have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi, good for browsing and email, about 15 Mbps. Login code from reception, no time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Côté Volcan?
€1.10 per person per night (16+)
Where can I eat cheaply near Côté Volcan?
A sandwich or filled baguette from a boulangerie or snack bar, about €5–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Côté Volcan?
Kar'Ouest bus network day pass around €5; from the airport, take a shuttle bus (€2–3) to Saint-Pierre then local bus inland.
When is the best time to visit Bourg Murat?
June–August: austral winter, clear skies, cool days (15–20°C), dry trails for volcano treks. Crowds are moderate—mainly European tourists—but nowhere near the summer crush.
Top Attractions in Bourg Murat
💡 Check if they're open for the 6pm Saturday mass — the choir sings folk hymns in Réunionnais Creole.
💡 Pick up the free hiking map for trails to Piton de la Fournaise. The staff speak English and can advise on trail conditions.
💡 Bring water shoes — the rocks get sharp. Best for swimming at low tide when the riptides are weak.
💡 Go early Saturday morning before 9am to avoid the cruise-ship crowds. Cash only at most stalls.
💡 The pool is cold but swimmable — skip it after heavy rain when the water carries sediment. Take the steep staircase back, not the slippery shortcut.