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Reunion
Overview
Country Overview
Réunion lies 760km (407 miles) due east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Running diagonally across the island is a chain of volcanic peaks, separating a green humid eastern zone (Le Vent) from a dry, sheltered south and west (Sous le Vent). Saint-Denis, the capital, has several places of interest including the Natural History Museum, a mosque, several temples and a cathedral. A good trip to take is along the Plaine d’Affouches in La Montagne which is lined by lush tamarind trees and calumets, a type of wild fig tree. A special feature on Réunion are the so-called cirques – large volcanic valleys surrounded by mountains, creating a natural amphitheatre of about 10km (6 miles) in diameter. The most beautiful cirque is probably Salazie, with its magnificent waterfalls, especially those known as Le Voile de la Mariée (The Bride’s Veil) near Hell-Bourg. Réunion cuisine features many different unique curries – these include duck, eel and octopus curry (zourite). Also worth trying is bredes, a delicious local vegetable rather like spinach.
General Information
Area: 2507 sq km (968 sq miles).
Population: 720,934 (2000).
Population Density: 282.1 per sq km.
Capital: Saint-Denis. Population: 131,557 (1999).
GEOGRAPHY: Réunion lies 760km (407 miles) east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Running diagonally across the island is a chain of volcanic peaks, separating a green humid eastern zone (Le Vent) from a dry, sheltered south and west (Sous le Vent). The majority of the population lives along the coast. Sugar cane production accounts for over half the arable land in a country where many basic foodstuffs are imported.
Government: Réunion is an Overseas Department of France and as such is an integral part of the French Republic. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by Prefect Gonthier Friederici since 2001. Head of Government: Jean-Luc Poudroux, President of the General Council.
Language: French is the official language. Local Creole patois is also spoken.
Religion: The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, with a Muslim minority.
Time: GMT + 4.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 262. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 19.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900/1800 network available. Network operators include Orange Reunion (website: www.ftm-run.com) and Société Reunionnaise (website: www.srr.fr).
Fax
Most large hotels have facilities.
Internet
Internet cafes in towns throughout La Réunion provide public access to e-mail and Internet services.
Telegram
Facilities are available in Saint-Denis.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to three weeks. Poste Restante facilities are available in Saint-Denis.
Press
The two biggest dailies are the Quotidien de la Réunion and the Journal de l’Ile de la Réunion. Weekly periodicals include Témoignages and L’Economie de la Réunion. There are no English-language dailies.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | No | Yes | | Australian | Yes | No | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | No | Yes | | USA | Yes | No | Yes | | OtherEU | Yes/1 | No | Yes | | Japanese | Yes | No | Yes |
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except the following:
1. nationals of Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland who are holders of national identity cards.
VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for a stay of up to three months;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR) (red passport holders only), Hungary, Iceland, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macao (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to three months;
(c) nationals of Australia for stays of up to one month;
(d) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Types of visa and cost: Short-stay (single-entry): (1-30 days) £15.72; (31-90 days) £18.87. Short-stay (double-entry): £22.01. Transit: £6.29.
Validity: Short-stay visas (up to 30 days): Valid for two months. Short stay visas (31-90 days and double-entry): Valid for a maximum of six months from date of issue. Transit visas: Valid for single or multiple entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day of arrival.
Application to: French Consulate General (for personal visas), or consular section at Embassy (for diplomatic or service visas); see Contact Addresses section for France. All applications must be made in person.
Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two completed application forms. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Fee to be paid in cash only. (e) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay. (f) Letter from employer, or proof of stay in country of residence. (g) Proof of address. (h) Medical insurance. (i) Return ticket and travel documents for remaining journey. (j) Proof of accommodation during stay.
Working days required: One day to three weeks depending on nationality.
Temporary residence: If intending to work or stay for longer than three months, nationals should contact the Long Stay visa section of the Consulate General or Embassy (tel: (020) 7073 1248).
Money
Currency: Since 1 January 1999, the Euro, which was introduced in January 2002, is the official currency for the French Overseas Departments (Départements d’Outre-Mer) of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. For further details, exchange rates and currency restrictions, see France section. US Dollars are also accepted in some places.
Currency exchange: All major currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change.
Credit & debit cards: Diners Club, American Express and Visa are accepted. MasterCard has limited acceptance. Cards can also be used in ATMs. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Accepted in most places, and may qualify for discounts on luxury items. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions: Same regulations as France; see France section.
Banking Hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600.
Duty Free
The island of Réunion is an Overseas Department of France, and therefore duty-free allowances are the same as those for France. See France section.
Prohibited items: All plants, vegetables and vegetable products.
Public Holidays
As for France (see France section) with the following dates also observed:
Dec 20 2003 Abolition of Slavery. Dec 20 2004 Abolition of Slavery.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | No | 1 | | Cholera | No | 2 | | Typhoid and Polio | 3 | N/A | | Malaria | No | N/A |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
2: A cholera vaccination certificate may be required from travellers arriving from infected areas.
3: There is a risk of typhoid, but not of polio. Immunisation is advised.
Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks: Hepatitis A, B and E are present; precautions should be taken.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: There are nine hospitals and many out-patient clinics. The French national health scheme is in force and there is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK (see France section). Facilities are limited and full health insurance is advised.
Travel - International
AIR: The main airline to serve Réunion is Air France (AF). Other airlines operating to Réunion include Air Liberté, Air Madagascar and Corsair International. Air Austral and Air Mauritius operate daily flights between Réunion and Mauritius (from Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds Airport). There are often discounts on flights during the periods of March to May and October to November.
Approximate flight times: From Réunion to London is 14 hours 40 minutes (via Paris); to Paris is 11 hours.
International airports: Saint-Denis de la Réunion (RUN) (Roland-Garros) is 10km (6 miles) from the town (travel time – 20 minutes). Cars Jaunes (yellow buses) operated by the County Council run 13 times a day between Roland Garros Airport and Saint-Denis bus terminal. Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change (0900-1630), ATMs, bars, a restaurant, post office and car hire (including Avis, Budget and Hertz).
Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds (ZSE) is 5km (3 miles) from Saint-Pierre. A shuttle bus service operates between Saint Denis and Roland Garros airport bus terminals. Taxi services as well as car hire are available at the airport.
Departure tax: None.
SEA: Both freight and passenger lines (a large number are French) dock at Pointe-des-Galets.
Travel - Internal
AIR: Aero-clubs at Roland-Garros Airport hire planes for flights over the island, which are well worth the price.
SEA: Four shipping lines run services around the island.
ROAD: Roads are fair and there are over 2680km (1665 miles) of roads, 345km (214 miles) of which are main roads. Speed limits are the same as in France. The main road runs on a north–south axis. The island can be easily crossed by bus, taxi or hired car. Car hire is available throughout the island. Further details can be obtained from the Comité du Tourisme de la Réunion. Bus: Two types of buses operate on the island: urban buses mainly serve the Saint-Denis area; yellow buses connect main towns. Services are excellent and luxurious, with very comfortable vehicles. Buses stop by request. Taxis: Taxi ranks can be found in city centres. Taxis can be hired by telephone (telephone numbers can be obtained from the information points at the airport). There are likely to be extra charges after 2000 Mon-Fri, on Sunday and Bank Holidays. Car hire: Available from the airport and from car hire firms in Saint-Denis. Petrol prices are similar to those in France. Budget, Avis, and Hertz are among the many car hire companies that are represented at the airports. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, though not legally required.
Accommodation
HOTELS: There is a good range of hotels, inns and pensions. Prices are high (and plumbing somewhat basic), but the food is often excellent. Tariffs usually include bed and breakfast, tax and service charges. Grading: Hotels range from 1 to 4 stars.
MOUNTAIN LODGES: Cheap and basic accommodation called gîtes favoured by trekkers are available throughout the island. For further information, contact Maison de la Montagne, 10 place du Barachois, 97400 Saint-Denis, Réunion (tel: 907 890; fax: 418 429; e-mail: nature@oceanes.fr; website: www.iledelareunion-nature.com).
YOUTH HOSTELS: For information, contact Fédération des Auberges de Jeunesse, 42 rue Général de Gaulle, 97400 Saint-Denis (tel: 411 534; fax: 417 217; e-mail: fraj@wanadoo.fr; website: www.chez.com/fraj/).
OTHER ACCOMMODATION: There are many rooms available in guest-houses across the island as well as self-catering studio flats and accommodation in farm-houses. For further information, contact Comité du Tourisme de la Réunion (see Contact Addresses section).
Introduction
SAINT-DENIS: The capital is surrounded by mountains on three sides and has several places of interest, including the Natural History Museum and the Leon Dierx Art Gallery with its collection of French Impressionist paintings. There are various temples, a mosque and a cathedral, a sign of the cultural and religious variety of the island population. Around town, a good trip to take is the Plaine d’Affouches in La Montagne, which is lined by lush tamarind trees and calumets, a type of wild fig tree. From Brûlé, a footpath leads to the Roche-Ecrite, a 2227m-high (7306ft) summit which overlooks the whole of the northern part of the island and slopes down to the Mafate and Salazie Cirques.
THE CIRQUES: A special feature on Réunion are the so-called cirques – large volcanic valleys surrounded by mountains, creating a natural amphitheatre of about 10km (6 miles) in diameter. Day-long sightseeing trips to the cirques may be arranged with travel agents in Saint-Denis. There are over 600km (370 miles) of footpaths leading through the island.
Cilaos, once infamous as a refuge for escaped slaves, is a lovely mountain area rising to about 1220m (4000ft) with impressive views from Le Bras Sec and Ilet à Cordres.
The most beautiful cirque is probably Salazie, with its magnificent waterfalls, especially those known as Le Voile de la Mariée (The Bride’s Veil) near Hell-Bourg. There is a day trip to Grand-Ilet, taking in some spectacularly rugged scenery. Piton des Neiges is the highest point on the island and is an enjoyable hike from Hell-Bourg.
Mafate is the most secluded of the valleys, unconnected by any road with the outside world.
THE VOLCANO: There are tours to the island’s still-active volcano, La Fournaise. St Paul also has an interesting street market (Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings) and there are numerous traditional Créole houses.
Nez-de-Boeuf (‘ox’s nose’) affords a splendid view over the Rivière des Remparts, 1000m (3300ft) below, the Plaine des Sables and the Belle Combe pass. The Enclos Fouque crater and the highest peak of the 2631m (8632ft) Fournaise can both be explored on foot. The still active Bory and Brûlant craters are also interesting excursions.
Réunion abounds with tropical flowers, trees and fruit, and there are tours which aim to show the visitor some of the many species on the island, before returning to the Botanical Gardens at Saint-Denis.
THE COAST: Réunion does not have extensive beaches, but those on the leeward west coast are beautiful with yellow, black or white sands. Some of the best beaches are to be found at Saint-Gilles, Saint-Leu and Etang-Sale. These are mostly shallow coral, running out to the reef. The Corail Turtle Farm near Saint-Leu is an interesting place. The coral reefs along the west coast are a protected area, but scuba diving and snorkelling are available. Also on the west coast is the historic town of St Paul, Réunion’s original capital, and birthplace of Leconte de Lisle.
Sport & Activities
Watersports: Good swimming and diving are to be found along the Sous le Vent coast, especially at Saint-Gilles-des-Bains, which has a reef-protected lagoon. On the more remote beaches, sharks may be a danger, so it is best to enquire locally. Surfing can be practised in Saint Gilles, Saint Paul and Saint Pierre. For information on the best beaches, see also the Resorts & Excursions section. Trout fishing is to be found at the Takamaka Falls.
Trekking and mountaineering: There are excellent walking opportunities in the mountains. The National Forestry Office has provided many sign-posted footpaths throughout the island. Good climbing is to be had among the volcanic peaks.
Island tours: One-day tours around the island with stopovers at various locations are available from local operators. Contact the Comité du Tourisme de la Réunion for details (see Contact Addresses section).
Spas: Rest cures are available in mountain resorts, such as Cilaos, which is a mountain spa.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: A variety of excellent restaurants, some run by hotels, offer good French cuisine and Creole specialities, notably rougail (seafood with sauces) and many unique curries – these include duck, eel and octopus curry (zourite). Worth trying is bredes, a delicious local vegetable rather like spinach. Traditional spicy Indian cuisine also appears on the menu, under the heading massalés. There are about ten first-class restaurants in Saint-Denis. Seaside restaurants in particular serve authentic local cuisine – a mixture of Chinese, African and Indian cooking.
Drinks include Arab coffee (café Bourbon), French wine and liqueurs, and good local rum such as rhum arrange (white rum with vanilla, orchids, aniseed and cinnamon). Local beer and wine are also very good. A full range of alcoholic drinks is available. Licensing hours are largely unrestricted.
Shopping: Local handicrafts include lace and embroidery, coral jewellery and basketwork. Tamarind wood, olive wood and ironwood provide the material for furniture in the traditional ‘colonial’ style, and are used by sculptors and other craftsmen. Rum, vanilla and extracts of vetiver, geranium and ylang-ylang are also recommended purchases. In Saint-Denis, the main shopping streets are rue du Maréchal-Leclerc, rue Jean-Chatel and rue Juliette-Dodu. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0830-1200 and 1430-1800, Sun 0800-1200; Mon-Sat 0730-1900, Sun 0800-1200 (department stores).
Special Events: For further details about festivals and events that occur in La Réunion, contact the Comité du Tourisme de la Réunion (see Contact Addresses section). The following are a selection of events taking place in 2003:
Jan Fire-walking. Feb Pineapple Festival, Bois de Nèfles, Sainte-Clotilde. May Fête du Chouchou et de la Pêche, Hell-Bourg, Salazie. Jun Fête de la Musique, throughout Réunion. Sep Tour de L’Îsle (cycle race). Oct Flower Show, Le Tampon. Nov International Triathlon. Dec December 1848 Celebrations.
Social Conventions: The islanders follow French fashion. Normal social courtesies should be observed. The immigrants from India, Pakistan and Europe have retained their cultural identities. Tipping: Widely practiced and ten per cent is normal.
Business Profile
Economy: Sugar cane is the principal crop and export earner in this mainly agricultural economy. Other crops include vanilla, tobacco and plants such as vertiver and ylang-ylang, used in tropical essences. Sugar and rum production are the principal industries; others include the manufacture of construction materials, metal goods, textiles and electronics. The service sector, including transport, telecommunications, finance and tourism, provides three quarters of the country’s economic output. Tourism has grown particularly rapidly in recent years, and is now worth about US$300 million annually to the island’s economy. However, the Réunion economy is far from self-sustaining and relies on large injections of aid from France and, more recently, the European Union, to cover its trade and budgetary deficits (as an integral part of France, Réunion belongs to the EU). The most pressing problem for the Government is a very high level of unemployment, estimated at 40 per cent. Apart from France, Réunion has important trading relations with Bahrain, Belgium, Italy, Japan and Luxembourg.
Business: The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly; suits will only be required for the most formal of meetings. A sound knowledge of the French language will be useful, since there are no formal interpreter services available. Prices should be quoted in Euros, and all trade literature should be in French. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.
Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de la Réunion, BP 120, 5 rue de Paris, 97463 Saint-Denis (tel: 942 000; fax: 942 290; e-mail: sg.dir@reunion.cci.fr; website: www.reunion.cci.fr); or Délégation Régionale au Commerce, à l’Artisanat et au Tourisme, Préfecture de la Réunion, Avenue de la Victoire, 97400 Saint-Denis (tel: 407 758; fax: 407 715).
Climate
Hot tropical climate. Temperatures are cooler in the hills, occasionally dropping to freezing point in the mountains at night. The cyclone season (January to March) is hot and wet.
Required clothing: Lightweights, with warmer clothes for the evenings.
History and Government
History: In the 1640s, Réunion was occupied by the French, displacing the Portuguese, who in 1513 had been the first European arrivals on the island. The island became prosperous during the 18th century, along with nearby Mauritius, when it lay on the shipping routes which carried trade between Europe and Asia. Sugar plantations, worked by slaves imported from Africa, formed the other main economic sector. Réunion was ruled as a colony until 1946 when it was granted the status of an Overseas Department of France, under which it is an integral part of the French State, which is represented on the island by a Commissioner. Politics in recent years have been primarily concerned with internal autonomy: most people appear to favour an increase beyond the present level but very few support a complete severing of the link with France, particularly as the island is largely dependent economically on aid from the French government.
Political parties on the island include adjuncts of the main French parties – the Gaullist Rassemblement pour la République (RPR); the centre-right Union pour la Démocratie Française (UDF) and the Parti Socialiste (PS) – plus the Parti Communiste Réunionnais (PCR); and two relatively new outfits. One of these, the right-wing France-Réunion-Avenir (FRA – literally France-Réunion-Future) has made little headway; the other, the FreeDOM (sic) party, was a political phenomenon of the early 1990s which evolved from a pirate television station. After the pirate broadcasters’ leader, Camille Sudre, was banned from political activity and his wife Marguerite became president of the Council. The party has since become a permanent feature of the political landscape.
It suffered a setback in 1998, however, when a right-wing coalition took control of the Regional Council. On the General Council, last elected in 2000, the left-wing alliance of Communists and Socialists has maintained control with a narrow majority.
Government: In the 1640s, Réunion was occupied by the French, displacing the Portuguese, who in 1513 had been the first European arrivals on the island. The island became prosperous during the 18th century, along with nearby Mauritius, when it lay on the shipping routes which carried trade between Europe and Asia. Sugar plantations, worked by slaves imported from Africa, formed the other main economic sector. Réunion was ruled as a colony until 1946 when it was granted the status of an Overseas Department of France, under which it is an integral part of the French State, which is represented on the island by a Commissioner. Politics in recent years have been primarily concerned with internal autonomy: most people appear to favour an increase beyond the present level but very few support a complete severing of the link with France, particularly as the island is largely dependent economically on aid from the French government.
Political parties on the island include adjuncts of the main French parties – the Gaullist Rassemblement pour la République (RPR); the centre-right Union pour la Démocratie Française (UDF) and the Parti Socialiste (PS) – plus the Parti Communiste Réunionnais (PCR); and two relatively new outfits. One of these, the right-wing France-Réunion-Avenir (FRA – literally France-Réunion-Future) has made little headway; the other, the FreeDOM (sic) party, was a political phenomenon of the early 1990s which evolved from a pirate television station. After the pirate broadcasters’ leader, Camille Sudre, was banned from political activity, his wife Marguerite became president of the Council. The party has since become a permanent feature of the political landscape.
It suffered a setback in 1998, however, when a right-wing coalition took control of the Regional Council. On the General Council, last elected in 2000, the left-wing alliance of Communists and Socialists has maintained control with a narrow majority.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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