Located on the southwest side of the island, it is the capital of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Today, it features 400 sites for fishing and pleasure boats, while most of the commercial traffic moved north to Le Port.

From here, the road leads to Le Tampon, La Plaine des Cafres and Bourg Murat.

From that area, there is a relatively easy access to the Piton de la Fournaise and a starting point of many excursions.

The average annual rainfall is 672.1 mm (26.46 in) with February as the wettest month.