Getting to Le Maïdo is an enchantment in itself. As you travel up the Tamarins forest road from Saint-Paul, you'll pass through many small, typically Creole villages, such as Petite-France. You'll smell the fragrance of geranium from the distilleries along the way: La Distillerie du Maïdo, La Maison du Géranium, etc. As you continue towards Le Maïdo, you'll also find plenty of places to picnic under the kiosks in the forests of the upper reaches of the island. Allow around 1 hour to reach Piton Maïdo from the west coast of the island. There is a car park at the Belvedere. There is also access for people with reduced mobility.
A snack/restaurant with toilet facilities awaits you a little further down (you'll see it on the way up - it's located in a small car park on the left, 2 minutes before you reach the Belvedere), where you can enjoy a snack (from coffee to cakes, not forgetting the traditional carry and samoussas) after you've had your fill of the view. You'll be greeted with kindness and goodwill by the debonair Doudou. He also has a popular restaurant further down the road.
As is often the case on Reunion Island, you'll have to make do with the weather and the island's changing climate to fully appreciate the panorama. So get there (very) early and you'll be able to enjoy the incredible panorama above the clouds, with a view of Mafate from the Maïdo viewpoint.