In 1535, a Portuguese fleet sailed from Recife in the direction of today's Natal in order to drive of the French invaders who had settled in the region. However it was not until the Christmas Eve of 1597, after reinforcements from Paraiba and Pernambuco had arrived, that the Portuguese commenced with the expulsion of the French. Thus, the name of the city became Natal, meaning Christmas. The biggest attractions of natal are the paradisiacal beaches of the city and of the vicinity. Unforgettable are the Praia Ponta Negra with the hill Morro do Careca, the Praia de Genipabu with its impressive dunes and, in the south of Natal, lonely beaches with huge reefs..