Notre-Dame des Laves
Notre-Dame des Laves
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
18 within 3 miles
Attractions
13 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
413 reviews
Excellent
109
Very good
199
Average
86
Poor
15
Terrible
4
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
ToujoursLaRoute
Paris, France1,253 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Well, it is a very unique place on Earth, so it surely worth a stop. The church it self has nothing special, but to see the flow of frozen lava in front and on both sides, this is definitely impressive. Beside the presence of God, some scientific explanations are displayed...still you can ask yourselves a number of questions. Very close there is a small museum (free entrance) that can be visited, you can see movies from the day of that particular eruption
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merlette69
Metz, France1,487 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
How can we not visit this “mythical” place when we stay on Reunion Island?
Unfortunately for us, the museum was closed, but the extracts from the newspapers of the time, displayed in the church, were able to "enrich" our knowledge.
Visually it is impressive to see that this lava flow stopped (or almost) at the gates of this religious place.
Note that the local gendarmerie was in the same situation.
To have.
Unfortunately for us, the museum was closed, but the extracts from the newspapers of the time, displayed in the church, were able to "enrich" our knowledge.
Visually it is impressive to see that this lava flow stopped (or almost) at the gates of this religious place.
Note that the local gendarmerie was in the same situation.
To have.
Written May 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda W
New York City, NY21 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Worth a quick stop if you're driving through Sainte-Rose. This little church isn't much to look at, but it's story is incredible.
During the 1977 Piton de la Fournaise eruption, lava destroyed much of the village and even surrounded the church, but didn't do any damage to it. The church was renamed Our Lady of the Lavas, and it's interesting to see where the lava stopped - mere feet from the church walls.
During the 1977 Piton de la Fournaise eruption, lava destroyed much of the village and even surrounded the church, but didn't do any damage to it. The church was renamed Our Lady of the Lavas, and it's interesting to see where the lava stopped - mere feet from the church walls.
Written August 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R_TheReader
Rio de Janeiro, RJ504 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
It is quite impressive to see this little church surrounded by the lava flow from the 1977 eruption of the Piton de la Fournaise. The church was not destroyed but was hit hard, as the picture gallery shows.
You are free to interpret this as a random coincidence or, as most people do, as a miracle. Regardless, it is very close to the Route des Laves and the Grande Brulée, so it makes sense to visit the church on your way to/ from the lava fields.
You are free to interpret this as a random coincidence or, as most people do, as a miracle. Regardless, it is very close to the Route des Laves and the Grande Brulée, so it makes sense to visit the church on your way to/ from the lava fields.
Written January 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rizzy80
Bristol, UK604 contributions
Oct 2019
This church is a must see. The miracle is that when the volcano erupted and everything around it was wiped out this church was spared and stayed as it was. You can see the lava stone all around it an incredible miracle.
Written October 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
60Yoda
Bled, Slovenia24 contributions
Jul 2015
I'm not religious...
At all. Of course, I respect any religion somebody chooses.
... but this is ridiculous - or call it whatever you want - the lava decided to avoid the church as the only thing on it's path.
At all. Of course, I respect any religion somebody chooses.
... but this is ridiculous - or call it whatever you want - the lava decided to avoid the church as the only thing on it's path.
Written August 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amnon F
Tel Aviv District, Israel1,074 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
It's impressive to see the lava flow that stopped around the church and caused no damage
However the church itself is very run down and does respect anyone wanting to pray there
However the church itself is very run down and does respect anyone wanting to pray there
Written May 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
duhoz
Beroun, Czech Republic7,430 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
This is place to stop if you are on the eastern part of the island. Really a miracle to see the untouched church or just surrounded by the lava flow from the 1977 eruption of Piton de la Fournaise. The hardened lava that can still be seen at the entrance to the church. On the opposite the church you can see the exposition of the eruption.
Written May 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gyan Fernando
Exeter, UK6,499 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Interesting church purely because it "miraculously" survived a lava flow in April 1977 which originated from the active volcano Piton de la Fournaise.
The flow surrounded the church and can still be seen. It did enter the church but only to a small extent.
The church was then re-named Notre Dame des Laves.
The flow surrounded the church and can still be seen. It did enter the church but only to a small extent.
The church was then re-named Notre Dame des Laves.
Written June 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadhviSD
Flic En Flac12 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
The history of this church is heart-touching. We stopped there for a short visit and had a look of what happened in 1977. Its miraculous!
Written February 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing