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Reunion
Reunion (La Réunion in French) is a tropical island in the heart of the Indian Ocean that is part of both the Mascarene archipelago and a French overseas region.
Réunion is an incredible mix of different cultures stemming from Africa, Asia and Europe and offers travellers incredible sights: volcanoes, coral reefs, tropical forests and turquoise water beaches.
Many travellers combine a visit to Reunion with a visit to Mauritius, a sister island famous for its dreamy beaches and spectacular colours of the sea.
Reunion impresses with its incredible scenic diversity and numerous natural attractions. Active volcanoes, spectacular calderas, primeval forests, tropical beaches and a vibrant Creole culture are concentrated in just over 2,500 km².
The island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is criss-crossed by more than 1,000 km of marked trails, making it a paradise for trekkers and adventure seekers. Unlike neighbouring Mauritius and Seychelles, Réunion is not so much a beach destination as an open-air geological museum, where nature expresses itself in its most dramatic and exciting forms.
The Circles of Reunion – Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie – are among the most spectacular geological formations in the world. These immense calderas were formed some 3 million years ago by the collapse of the primitive volcano that gave rise to the island and erosion caused by torrential rains. Imagine three huge natural amphitheatres, each as big as a city, surrounded by vertical walls up to 1,000 metres high and punctuated by rocky peaks called ‘pitons’.
Cirque de Mafate, the most remote and fascinating, is only accessible on foot or by helicopter. This natural amphitheatre, inhabited by about 800 people, offers over 140 km of hiking trails. The trek from La Nouvelle to Marla (5 hours) is the most scenic, passing through isolated villages and primeval forests.
Cirque de Cilaos, famous for its thermal baths and high altitude vineyards, is reached via a road with 400 bends. Don’t miss the market for lentils, a local PDO product. The spa village offers a perfect base for the hike to the Piton des Neiges (3,070m), the highest point in the Indian Ocean. Departure at dawn from La Caverne refuge (reservation required) to reach the summit in 3 hours.
Cirque de Salazie, the greenest and rainiest, is home to the spectacular Cascade du Voile de la Mariée, a waterfall that looks like a 240-metre-high wedding veil. The Creole village of Hell-Bourg, with its colourful colonial houses, has been ranked among the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’.
The Point de vue du Trou de Fer offers views of a 300-metre-deep canyon. Accessible by a 2-hour trek from Bélouve, it is often shrouded in morning mist – an early afternoon visit is recommended.
Piton Maïdo (2,190m) offers the best view of the Cirque de Mafate. Arrive before dawn to admire the ‘sea of clouds’ and the sunlight gradually illuminating the amphitheatre.
The Grand Galet (or Langevin) Waterfall is a system of seven waterfalls, ideal for canyoning. A local guide is required for water activities.
The Takamaka Valley on the east coast is a paradise for adventure lovers. Local guides organise canyoning descents through wild gorges and vertiginous waterfalls.
Saint-Denis, the cultural capital, displays Creole elegance in the historic quarter. Don’t miss the Marché Couvert for local spices and lunch at Le Roland Garros restaurant for authentic Creole cuisine.
La Vanilleraie, in the Domaine du Grand Hazier, reveals the secrets of Bourbon vanilla. Guided tours lasting 1h 30 minutes show the entire production process, from manual fertilisation to maturation.
The rum distilleries are a must-see attraction. The Distillerie de Savanna in Saint-André offers free guided tours with tasting. Rum arrangé (rum flavoured with fruit and spices) is the perfect souvenir.
Unlike neighbouring Mauritius and Seychelles, Réunion is not primarily famous for its beaches. However, the island is home to some spectacular shorelines, especially on the west coast, which are protected by a coral reef that creates calm lagoons ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Hermitage-les-Bains is considered the most beautiful beach on the island. This 7-km-long stretch of white sand is protected by a coral reef that creates a crystal-clear lagoon only 1-1.5 metres deep. Palm trees and rows of casuarine trees provide natural shade, while the numerous tropical fish make snorkelling an unforgettable experience.
Boucan Canot, nicknamed the ‘surfers’ beach’, offers perfect waves for surfing and a lively atmosphere with its beach bars and restaurants. The golden sand and turquoise waters make it one of the most photographed beaches on the island.
Saint-Leu is the benchmark for water sports. The black volcanic beach contrasts with the blue ocean, while the coral reef is home to a rich marine life.
Roches Noires takes its name from its characteristic black volcanic rocks that create a surreal landscape. It is particularly popular with local surfers and offers spectacular sunsets.
Les Brisants is a small sheltered bay ideal for families. The shallow natural pools are perfect for children and the snorkelling is excellent due to the proximity of the coral reef.
Grande Anse, with its black sand and coconut palms, offers a typically tropical setting. The majestic waves create an impressive natural spectacle.
Manapany-les-Bains is a small hidden gem with a natural saltwater pool carved into the lava rock. Lush vegetation reaches down to the beach, creating an intimate and wild atmosphere.
Saint-Rose offers a unique landscape where black lava meets the ocean. Although not suitable for bathing, this wild coastline offers breathtaking photo opportunities, especially at sunrise.
Anse des Cascades is not a classic beach but a magical place where freshwater waterfalls plunge directly into the ocean, creating a spectacular contrast between fresh and salt water, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
Reunion, like many tropical destinations, has two main well-defined seasons.
The austral summer (November to April) turns Reunion into a true tropical paradise, but with some climatic challenges to consider. During this period, the island experiences its hottest and most humid season, with temperatures that can reach 32 °C on the coast. Tropical downpours are the order of the day: intense but brief, they then give way to bright sunshine.
The most sensitive period is from December to March, when cyclones must be watched out for, although the island is perfectly organised to handle them. If you are planning a trip during these months, keep in mind that during the French school holidays (December-January) prices go up and facilities are very crowded.
The austral winter (May to October) is unanimously considered the best time to visit Réunion. From May until October you enjoy ideal weather for exploring the island: temperatures remain pleasant, between 22 and 25 °C on the coast, humidity drops considerably and rainfall becomes rare.
Be careful, however, if you plan to hike in the mountains: temperatures can drop below 10°C, so it is essential to bring suitable clothing.
The choice of accommodation in Reunion depends a lot on the type of experience you are looking for. If it’s your first trip, consider combining two different experiences: a few nights on the west coast, where you’ll find all the comforts and classic tropical holiday activities, followed by a stay inland, to get a taste of the island’s more authentic dimension.
With a rental car (practically indispensable in Réunion), you can still reach any point on the island in less than two hours, making every destination easily accessible regardless of where you choose to base yourself.
On the west coast, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is the tourist heart of the island. If you are looking for the classic tropical getaway with beaches, luxury hotels and a vibrant nightlife, this is your area. The hotels overlook the Hermitage lagoon, offering direct access to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. A little further south, Saint-Leu offers a more relaxed but equally pleasant atmosphere, with boutique hotels and guest houses attracting mainly surfers and lovers of quieter tourism.
Those who want to immerse themselves in Creole culture will find Saint-Denis the ideal location. The capital offers charming colonial mansions converted into boutique hotels, perfect for exploring the island’s historical heritage.
For a more authentic experience, the south of the island with Saint-Pierre is an excellent compromise. Here you will find medium-sized hotels and holiday flats with a more local feel, ideal as a base for exploring the volcano and the wild southern coastline.
The hinterland reserves some of the most characteristic accommodation. Cilaos, perched in its natural cirque, offers small hotels and gîtes with breathtaking mountain views. The cool climate and Alpine atmosphere create a fascinating contrast to the tropical coastline. In the same direction, the picturesque village of Hell-Bourg, in the Cirque de Salazie, is home to delightful bed & breakfasts in traditional Creole houses, perfect for those seeking tranquillity and authenticity.
The east coast, less touristy, reveals the island’s more authentic soul. Sainte-Anne and Saint-Benoît mainly offer accommodation in guest houses run by local families, where Creole hospitality is at its best. It is the ideal choice for those who want to get off the beaten track and discover the true essence of Réunion.
Renting a car is practically indispensable for exploring Reunion. Unlike other tropical destinations, here renting is not just an option, but a necessity.
The Roland Garros airport in Saint-Denis hosts major international operators such as Europcar, Sixt and Hertz, along with reliable local companies such as Garcia Location and ITC Tropicar. Booking in advance is essential, especially during the high season (October to January) when prices can easily double.
The road network is surprisingly well maintained, with a coastal motorway linking Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre. However, it is inland where the real adventure lies: the roads leading to the Piton de la Fournaise or through the Cirques require a sturdy car and careful driving. If possible, prefer an SUV or crossover, considering that many of the most interesting roads are steep and winding.
Special care should be taken during the rainy season (January-March), when some roads can become slippery or be temporarily closed.
Fill up your tank before venturing inland, where petrol stations are rarer. And don’t forget that, being a French department, you drive on the right here and the same road rules apply as in metropolitan France.
If you have decided to rent a car, we recommend that you use the form below which will allow you to compare the rates and availability of all car rental companies in real time and with a single search.
The main gateway is Roland Garros Airport, located in Saint-Denis in the north of the island. There is also a second, smaller airport, Pierrefonds, in the south, but it mainly serves regional flights to Mauritius.
For many tourists, the most convenient option is a stopover in Paris. Air France, French bee and Corsair offer direct flights from Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle and Orly) to Réunion, with a duration of about 11 hours. An interesting alternative is to fly with Gulf airlines such as Emirates or Etihad, with a stopover in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or to reach Mauritius first and from there take a short connecting flight of only 45 minutes.
The island’s national airline, Air Austral, operates an efficient network of regional connections. If you are planning a tour of the Indian Ocean, you can easily combine a visit to Réunion with Mauritius, Madagascar, the Seychelles or Mayotte. Flights between these destinations are frequent and relatively short.
Once you have landed, we recommend in any case that you rent a car in order to be completely autonomous and to move around the island easily without having to deal with the not very punctual and capillary public transport.
Réunion is a French Overseas Department (DOM), so it follows the same entry regulations as mainland France.
For EU/EEA citizens, entry is permitted with a simple identity card valid for foreign travel or a passport. In both cases, the documents must be valid for the entire duration of the stay on the island. For tourist stays of up to 90 days, no visa is required.
It is also strongly recommended to carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC ), which guarantees health care. Travel insurance is also recommended to cover any medical emergencies or inconveniences during your holiday, especially considering the adventurous nature of many activities available on the island.
French is the official language and is used in all formal contexts. In everyday life, however, you will hear a lot of Reunion Creole spoken, a fascinating mix of French, Malagasy and other influences. English is not widely spoken, especially outside the tourist areas, so learning a few basic French phrases will help you a lot when interacting with locals.
As in any other French territory, the euro is used here, which makes things much easier for European travellers. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops in tourist areas, and you will find ATMs in major cities. However, it is always advisable to have cash with you, especially if you plan to explore local markets or visit small villages, where cards are often not accepted.
Réunion uses the same European electricity system, with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. Sockets are type C and E, exactly like those found in Europe.
Réunion is in the time zone GMT+4. This means that, compared to Great Britain, there is a 4-hour difference during daylight saving time and a 3-hour difference during standard time.
The telephone code is +262. As far as internet and phone calls are concerned, consider that European roaming is also valid in Réunion as you are on French territory. Coverage is excellent in inhabited areas and most hotels and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi.
On the coast, temperatures are pleasantly warm all year round, ranging between 20 and 30°C. But if you venture inland, be prepared for considerable variations: in the mountains, temperatures can drop below 10°C. The island has two main seasons: the austral summer from November to April (hot and humid, with possible cyclones between December and March) and the austral winter from May to October (drier and milder, perfect for outdoor activities).
Reunion offers a European-standard health system and your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC ) is perfectly valid here. The main hospitals are located in Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre. Tap water is drinkable, but beware of the tropical sun: sunscreen is essential even on cloudy days.
As for the sea, remember to swim only in areas protected by anti-shark nets.
The best way to explore Réunion is to hire a car: your driving licence is valid and you drive on the right, just like in Europe. The road network is well maintained, although the mountain roads can be quite winding.
If you prefer public transport, there is a Car Jaune bus network connecting the main towns, while taxis are readily available in tourist areas.
Shops generally open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while offices and banks operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Restaurants serve lunch from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00. Markets are particularly lively in the early morning and the afternoon siesta is a respected tradition, especially on hot days.
Réunion is an island located in the Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Madagascar and about 200 km southwest of Mauritius.
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