Sainte-Suzanne is a commune on the northeastern coast of Réunion, a French island in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Located between Sainte-Marie and Saint-André, it extends from the coastal plain into the green hills of the island’s interior. The area is known for its sugarcane fields, tropical vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, which reflect the humid climate of eastern Réunion. The Rivière Sainte-Suzanne flows through the commune toward the Indian Ocean, while smaller settlements and agricultural properties occupy the surrounding countryside. Its landscape combines working farmland, historic estates and natural sites that are closely connected to the island’s volcanic origins.

Sainte-Suzanne reflects Réunion’s Creole heritage, shaped by African, Malagasy, European, Indian and Chinese influences. French is the official language, while Réunion Creole is widely spoken. Sugarcane cultivation has played an important role in the commune’s development, leaving a legacy of agricultural estates and traditional production methods. The Domaine du Grand Hazier is a notable example of this heritage, with a historic Creole residence and grounds associated with plantation agriculture. The commune is also the birthplace of Edmond Albius, whose method of hand-pollinating vanilla flowers transformed vanilla cultivation on Réunion and in other tropical regions.

One of Sainte-Suzanne’s best-known natural attractions is the Cascade Niagara, a waterfall on the Rivière Sainte-Suzanne that drops over a broad rock face into a pool surrounded by vegetation and sugarcane fields. The Phare de Bel-Air, a coastal lighthouse with a distinctive red-and-white tower, is another recognizable landmark and houses cultural exhibitions. Inland, the commune contains wooded valleys, streams and walking routes through agricultural landscapes. The Domaine du Grand Hazier and its associated vanilla-growing heritage provide further opportunities to explore the relationship between farming and the island’s environment. Coastal viewpoints overlook the Indian Ocean and the rocky shoreline of northeastern Réunion.