FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN St. Denis

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Réunion each year. The main ones are listed below.

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.

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

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.

The storming of the Bastille, a pivotal episode of the French Revolution, is commemorated with a variety of events throughout Réunion. Highlights include parades, dances and fireworks, all in a festive atmosphere.

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.

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.

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Réunion, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN St. Denis

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
February	23/73	30/86	351/13.8	Good period to go
March	23/73	30/86	232/9.1	Good period to go
April	22/72	30/86	154/6.1	Not the best period to go
May	20/68	27/81	98/3.9	Not the best period to go
June	19/66	26/79	77/3.0	Not the best period to go
July	18/64	25/77	58/2.3	Not the best period to go
August	18/64	25/77	58/2.3	Not the best period to go
September	18/64	25/77	50/2.0	Not the best period to go
October	19/66	27/81	43/1.7	Good period to go
November	20/68	28/82	70/2.8	Good period to go
December	22/72	29/84	188/7.4	Good period to go

Réunion Roland Garros Airport

Réunion's Roland Garros Airport is located about 9 kilometres (6 miles) east of Saint-Denis.

• One terminal

• By car
  • The N2 road connects the airport to Saint-Denis.
  • 2 parking facilities are available: short-term (P1, EUR 1 for 30 minutes) and long-term (P4, EUR 30 for 24 hours).
  • Several car rental companies have counters at the airport.
• By bus
  • The T bus route connects the airport with the main bus station in Saint-Denis, every day of the week. The trip takes 15 minutes and the fare is EUR 5 each way.
• By shuttle bus
  • A shuttle bus service links the airport to the Saint-Denis town hall. Buses run daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The fare is EUR 4 each way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the terminal. The trip to the city centre costs about EUR 20 (EUR 30 at night).

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +262 (0)2 62 48 81 81
• Website: https://www.reunion.aeroport.fr/en

GETTING AROUND St. 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.

By bus

Réunion's public bus network consists of 16 routes mainly offering connections between municipalities. The following routes are among those most useful for visitors:

• Bus line A (Saint-Denis – Saint-Pierre)
• Bus line A2 (Saint-Denis – Saint-Leu via Saint-Paul and Saint-Gilles-les-Bains.)
• Bus line B1 (Saint-Leu – Saint-Pierre via les Bas).

By taxi

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.

By bicycle

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.

By car and motorcycle

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.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Réunion, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

The 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

• Address: Maison Carrère, 14 rue de Paris, 97400 Saint Denis
• Telephone: +262 (0)2 62 41 83 00
• Website: visit.lebeaupays.com/

Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Nord de La Réunion – Antenne de Sainte-Suzanne

• Address: 18 rue du Phare, 97441 Sainte Suzanne
• Telephone: +262 (0)2 62 52 13 54
• Website: visit.lebeaupays.com/

Bureau d'Accueil et d'Information de Saint-Leu

• Address: 1 rue Le Barrelier, Bâtiment Espace Laleu, 97436 Saint Leu
• Telephone: +262 (0)2 62 34 63 30
• Website: https://www.ouest-lareunion.com/uk/

Office de Tourisme de Saint-Pierre

• Address: 1 Capitainerie du Port de Plaisance Lislet Geoffroy, place Napoléon Hoareau, 97410 Saint Pierre
• Telephone: 0 820 203 220 (cost of a local call)
• Website: https://visit.sudreuniontourisme.fr/

Office de Tourisme Intercommunal de l'Est de La Réunion – Antenne de Saint-André

• Address: Maison Martin Valliamée, 1590 chemin du Centre, BP 91, 97440 Saint André
• Telephone: +262(0)2 62 46 16 16
• Website: https://visit.sudreuniontourisme.fr/

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.

• Website: https://en.reunion.fr/

Medical information

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:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)

call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Réunion.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+262

+ phone number (without 0)

3 : 00
of time difference with
Paris

BANKS

Usually open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

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.