| Reunion is an island born out of a volcano, makes | | | | TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: |
| for a rather unusual tropical paradise. Reunion is | | | | Saint-Denis: |
| made up of two great mountain ranges, Peak of | | | | Capital and the biggest French overseas city; |
| the Snows and Peak of the Furnace, separated | | | | several historical, relgious, cultural and natural |
| by the Plains. Unique features are the black sand | | | | attractions e.g. the Cathedral of Saint-Denis, Route |
| beaches and the imposing Cirques, a geological | | | | de la Montagne, the Big Market, the Small Market, |
| curiosity that act as natural amphitheatres. | | | | Natural History Museum, brightly coloured Tamil |
| Although a French island, three centuries of | | | | temples, mosques, Buddhist pagodas, Artotheque, |
| history have resulted in a melting pot of cultural | | | | Barachois seafront, Creole houses and Jardin de |
| diversity with inhabitants a harmonious mix of the | | | | l'Etat Botanical Garden. |
| French, Indian, Malagasy, African and Chinese. It is | | | | Saint-Paul: |
| due to this fact that culture, religion and cuisine | | | | Don't miss the street market, a tour of old |
| are paramount. The mouthwatering food and | | | | Saint-Paul, Le Bernica, the seaside cemetery, the |
| potent punches are part of the lifestyle with | | | | first French Settlers' Cave, Petite-France and the |
| religious festivals almost always taking place. | | | | Maïdo. |
| Apart from these assets, Reunion is also known | | | | Saint-Gilles: |
| for its rare perfumes, exotic colours, Bourbon | | | | Visit the Garden of Eden, the Villèle |
| vanilla, innumerable sporting activities, year-round | | | | Museum, Visiobul Reunion, where you can |
| warm water and waterfalls. It is an invitation for | | | | discover the bottom of the sea, as well as natural |
| everyone including honeymooners, divers, hikers | | | | pools. |
| and other outdoor types to escape to its special | | | | Etang-Sale: |
| charm. | | | | See the bird sanctuary in Etang-Sale Forest, Le |
| CAPITAL: | | | | Grouffe, which is a chasm and the black sand |
| St-Denis | | | | beach. |
| CLIMATE: | | | | Saint-Pierre and the South: |
| Hot, tropical. The best time is May-Nov (cooler, | | | | The greatest attractions of the South is its wild |
| dry season) as Dec-Feb is hot and wet and | | | | coast and forests; Petit Ile is peaceful and filled |
| cyclones may occur. Rain falls throughout except | | | | with flowers, whereas Saint-Philippe is an |
| Jun-Aug. | | | | enormous cliff battered by the sea; Grand |
| CURRENCY: | | | | Brûlé has slopes scarred by lava; |
| 1 Euro = 100 cents. Major credit cards are | | | | Saint-Pierre is a seaside resort; see also Exotica, |
| accepted in all major establishments: restaurants, | | | | the Spice and Fragrance Garden, Wild South |
| hotels, fuel stations and toll booths. It's best to | | | | Exhibition Hall, etc. |
| exchange currency at large banks in the centre of | | | | The East: |
| town or in a financial area. If only a small amount | | | | The towns of Saint-Benoît and Sainte-Rose |
| of money is being exchanged, the hotel money | | | | were burned by lava in the fifties and seventies |
| exchange rate may be adequate. Traveller's | | | | respectively; see lush vegetation and waterfalls; in |
| cheques are recommended in Euro. | | | | Saint-André, view Vanilla House, the Tamil |
| ELECTRICITY: | | | | temples along the road, churches, chapels and |
| 20 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are mainly 2-pin round. | | | | authentic local villages; also see Sainte-Suzanne |
| HEALTH: | | | | and Bras-Panon. |
| A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required | | | | The Volcano: |
| from travellers over 1 year of age coming from | | | | The Furnace is one of the world's most active; |
| infected areas. Visitors are advised to take | | | | discover it by horseback, on a mountain bike, by |
| pre-arrival precautions against typhoid, polio and | | | | car following Volcano Road or on foot taking one |
| hepatitis A. Other health concerns are influenza | | | | of several hiking trails; from the edge of a |
| (risk extends throughout the year). Tap water is | | | | 300-metre high Pas de Bellecombe belvedere, you |
| safe to drink. | | | | can gaze at the almost perfect cone of the |
| LANGUAGE: | | | | Volcano, culminating at 2631 metres; Volcano |
| The official language is French. Reunion/French | | | | House is for those wanting to know more about |
| Creole is widely spoken and Tamil by some. | | | | volcanoes. |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | The High Plains: |
| New Years' Day (1 Jan); Easter Monday (12 Apr); | | | | The scenery here is magnificent, see the |
| Labour Day (1 May); 1945 Victory Day (8 May); | | | | flowered slopes of Tampon, moors covered with |
| Ascension Day (20 May); Whit Monday (31 May); | | | | brambles and arum lilies at Plaine des Cafres, a |
| Bastille Day (14 Jul); Assumption (15 Aug); All | | | | desert landscape near the Volcano and verdant |
| Saint's Day (1 Nov); Rememberance Day (11 | | | | hills and fields at Plaine des Palmistes; the most |
| Nov); Abolition of Slavery (20 Dec); Christmas | | | | incredible view is from Plaine des Sables, a vast |
| Day (25 Dec) | | | | expanse of red and black scoria looking almost |
| SHOPPING:embroidery; lace; coral jewellery; | | | | lunar. |
| basketware; local & Parisian fashion items; | | | | The Cirques: |
| wooden sculptures/furniture; rum, vanilla and | | | | Three large depressions about 10km in diameter |
| extracts of vetiver, geranium and ylang-ylang. | | | | lined with high, unreachable cliffs; Salazie is the |
| SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: | | | | most accessible from Saint-Denis, the most |
| Religion is 94 percent Roman Catholic, other faiths | | | | flown-over, the largest and greenest; Mafate is |
| include Hindu, Islam and Buddhism. While in the | | | | one of the finest places in Reunion and can only |
| Tamil temple, respect its sanctity and don't wear | | | | be reached on foot or by helicopter; Cilaos has |
| any leather. Business is conducted in French and | | | | thermal baths that provide treatment for those |
| no formal interpreter services are available. Trade | | | | suffering from rheumatism and stomach |
| literature should also be in French. A suit is not | | | | problems. |
| usually necessary. | | | | Mountains: |
| TIME DIFFERENCE: | | | | Reunion has more than 600 miles of signposted |
| GMT +4 | | | | trails accessible to hikers of all levels and many |
| TIPPING: | | | | mountains; you must climb at least one. |
| Widely practised. Ten percent is common. | | | | |