There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Réunion each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) January or February: Chinese New Year (local event)The Chinese New Year is celebrated in Réunion to mark the start of a new lunar year. Dragon parades and lion dances take place amid general merry-making.
March or April: Easter Monday (national) May 1: Labour Day (national holiday)On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!
May 8: Victory Day (national holiday)Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.
June 21: Fête de la Musique (celebrated nationwide)Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues around Réunion, with the revelry continuing late into the night.
July 14: Bastille Day (national holiday)This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution. It plays as a symbol of the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Réunion, it is commemorated with a variety of events. Highlights include parades, dances and fireworks, all in a festive atmosphere.
August 15: Assumption Day (national holiday)This celebration, still very popular in Réunion, is marked by several religious ceremonies. The most popular takes place in Piton Sainte-Rose, where the Vierge au parasol (Virgin with the sunshade) stands, in front of Notre-Dames des Laves Church. Miraculously, the volcanic eruption that happened in Piton Sainte-Rose in 1977 left the building untouched.
Third weekend in September: European Heritage Days (celebrated nationwide)The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up, free of charge, numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public, such as castles and private collections. A perfect occasion for a stroll and the discovery of architectural gems.
November 11: Remembrance Day (national holiday)On this day, French citizens gather at war memorials to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.
December 20: Abolition of Slavery Day (local holiday)The abolition of slavery in Réunion on this day in 1848 is commemorated each year with a number of official ceremonies, cultural events and much music and dancing.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday) December 31: New Year's Eve (national event)On the night of December 31st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Réunion, with families and friends celebrating the new year.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 23/73 | 30/86 | 279/11.0 | Good period to go
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February | 23/73 | 30/86 | 351/13.8 | Good period to go
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March | 23/73 | 30/86 | 232/9.1 | Good period to go
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April | 22/72 | 30/86 | 154/6.1 | Good period to go
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May | 20/68 | 27/81 | 98/3.9 | Good period to go
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June | 19/66 | 26/79 | 77/3.0 | Good period to go
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July | 18/64 | 25/77 | 58/2.3 | Good period to go
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August | 18/64 | 25/77 | 58/2.3 | Good period to go
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September | 18/64 | 25/77 | 50/2.0 | Good period to go
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October | 19/66 | 27/81 | 43/1.7 | Good period to go
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November | 20/68 | 28/82 | 70/2.8 | Good period to go
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December | 22/72 | 29/84 | 188/7.4 | Good period to go
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The Réunion Roland Garros Airport is located about 9 kilometres (6 miles) east of Saint-Denis.
Getting around Réunion is very easy. The island has an efficient bus network serving all municipalities, including Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, Le Tampon, Saint-Benoît, Saint-Leu, Salazie, Saint-Paul and Saint-André. In addition, the island's roads are well maintained and make it possible to reach any point of interest by car or motorcycle.
Réunion's public bus network (https://www.carjaune.re) consists of a large variety of routes, mainly offering connections between municipalities. The following routes are among those most useful for visitors:
Saint-Denis and most of the other larger towns have taxi ranks. Expect to pay around EUR 15-20 for a 5-kilometre (3-mile) trip during the day.
Using a bicycle to get around Réunion is not really recommended. Elevations rise rather abruptly as you head inland and traffic is always heavy on the coastal road, which lacks designated cycling paths.
Cars and motorcycles are a convenient way to get around Réunion. The infrastructure is excellent and Réunion has a large number of secondary roads. Car rental agencies are very easy to find in all towns. Due to considerable competition, rates are not very expensive.
Upon your arrival in Réunion, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Regional tourism authorities in RéunionThe tourism authorities listed below offer practical information and useful recommendations specific to their regions (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Nord de La Réunion - Antenne de Saint-Denis
Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Nord de La Réunion - Antenne de Sainte-Suzanne
Bureau d'Accueil et d'Information de Saint-Leu
Office de Tourisme de Saint-Pierre
Office de Tourisme Intercommunal de l'Est de La Réunion - Antenne de Saint-André
The official website maintained by the Comité Régional du Tourisme de La Réunion provides a wealth of information on all of the island's destinations.
The currency used in France is the Euro (EUR).
1 PLN = 0,22 EUR
1 EUR = 4,55 PLN
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Réunion counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Réunion. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
Tap water is safe to drink in La Réunion.
Entry requirements for the French overseas departments (Réunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Mayotte) are different from those applicable in mainland France. Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation do not need to carry a visa. To view the list of other countries whose citizens or nationals may travel to Martinique without a visa, or for information on the types of travel documents required, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/requesting-a-visa/
Contact information for the embassies and consulates of your country is accessible in the directory of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Réunion, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic French phrases that will make your stay in Réunion a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bonjour (morning)
Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas
Could you repeat?: Pouvez-vous répéter ?
What time is it?: Quelle heure est-il ?
Sorry: Pardon
Excuse me: Excusez-moi
I'm looking for (…): Je recherche (…)
How much is (…)?: Quel est le prix de (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Avez-vous (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Où puis-je trouver (…) ?
Tipping
In Réunion like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.