Reunion

Reunion is a rugged volcanic island in the Indian Ocean operating as a department of France. You move across the island via narrow mountain switchbacks and coastal expressways. Expect dramatic weather shifts between coastal palm beaches and alpine mountain cirques within an hour's drive.

Reunion food mixes French technique with Malagasy, Indian, and Chinese culinary traditions. Every meal centers on a cari, a slow-cooked stew seasoned with turmeric, garlic, ginger, and thyme. You always receive cari served over white rice with brown lentils or pink beans and a spicy fruit-based rougail relish.

• Street snacks

  Buy fresh hot bouchons (steamed pork dumplings) and spiced samosas from roadside snack trucks called camion-bars.

• Lunch timing

  Sit-down restaurants close kitchens strictly at 14:00. Camion-bars remain open for mid-afternoon snacks.

• Vanilla buying

  Buy authentic Bourbon vanilla pods at Cooperative de la Vanille in Bras-Panon rather than tourist gift shops.

Uninhabited until the mid-17th century, Reunion was settled by the French East India Company. Coffee and sugar cane plantations brought enslaved workers from East Africa and Madagascar, followed by indentured laborers from India and China. The island became an overseas French department in 1946.

1. 1665

   French Settlement

   The French East India Company establishes permanent settlement at Saint-Paul.

2. 1848

   Abolition of Slavery

   Slavery is abolished, leading to mass immigration of indentured workers from India and China.

3. 1946

   French Department Status

   Reunion transitions from colony to an official overseas department of France.

4. 2010

   UNESCO Listing

   National Park core areas gain UNESCO World Heritage status for unique natural habitats.

Choose your base based on terrain preference. Stay in Saint-Gilles for beach lagoon access, Cilaos for mountain hiking starts, or Saint-Pierre for exploring the southern volcano trails.

• BeachgoersSaint-Gilles-les-Bains — Direct access to the protected swimming lagoon.
• TrekkersCilaos — Trailheads for Piton des Neiges start right outside town.
• Culture seekersSaint-Denis — Colonial Creole architecture and central markets.
• Road trippersSaint-Pierre — Quick access to the volcano highway and South coast.

Renting a car is essential for reaching mountain trailheads and cirques. The public Car Jaune bus network connects coastal cities reliably, but mountain routes run infrequently.

• Regional Car Jaune buses cover the coastal belt reliably using rechargeable pass cards.

• Book a manual transmission rental car months ahead. Mountain switchbacks demand engine braking control.

• The road to Cilaos features 400 turns and single-lane tunnels. Sound your horn before entering blind bends.

• Avoid driving the N1 highway near Saint-Denis during weekday rush hours (07:00–09:00 and 17:00–19:00).

As an overseas French department, Reunion uses the Euro. Overall food prices are roughly 37% higher than in mainland France, with imported grocery items costing 40% to 50% more and local produce prices generally exceeding mainland rates.

• Cari lunch at camion-bar: €7–10

  Plentiful hot takeout lunches sold at beachside food trucks.

• Car Jaune bus ticket: €2

  Flat rate for single journeys across regional bus lines.

• Mountain gîte night with dinner: €45–60

  Per person price in shared dorms including dinner and breakfast.

• Espresso at local café: €1.50–2.50

  Standard pricing across coastal and mountain towns.

• Early morning start

  Clouds cover mountain peaks by 10:00 AM daily. Start hikes and volcano drives at dawn.

• Shark safety signs

  Never swim outside protected lagoons or official shark net zones. Ocean currents are extremely strong.

• Thermal clothing needed

  Temperatures drop near freezing at Piton des Neiges overnight. Pack warm layers even in summer.

• Card acceptance

  Credit cards are accepted widely, but mountain gîtes require cash for drinks and extras.