REUNION ISLAND
Reunion Island which forms part of the Department of French overseas territorie is located in the Mascarene archipelago about 700 km east of Madagascar and 170 kilometers southwest of Mauritius. The Island is also a member of the Vanilla Islands.
It has 250 km of coastline and Piton des Neiges rises up to 3070 metres ,the highest peak of the Indian Ocean.
Its relief is marked by the only active volcano in the Indian Ocean, including the Piton de la Fournaise and the presence of a large mountainous area.
Practical Information
Practical Information
• Capital: Saint Denis
• Area: 2512 km2
• Population: 840.974 (2013)
• Currency: Euro
• Official Language: French
• Religions: The majority of the population is Catholic (85%), but there are some Buddhists called the "Chinese”, the Hindus called” Malbars, Tamil originating from India and Muslims called" zarabs” also coming from 'India.
• Climate: Tropical climate with two seasons: a dry and cool season from May to October and a wet and hot season from November to April.
Culture
Festival, events and shows:
Marches sur le feu in different sites of the Island.
Miel Vert (Plaine des Cafres) : Handicrafts and agricultural fair
Fête de la mangue (Cave of the 1st French-Saint Paul).
Festival Source Vive (Plaine des Cafres) (As from 12/01/02).
FEBRUARY
Chinese New Year (Chinese dance).
Marlin France Championship
Harvest (Cilaos).
Cavadee - Tamil procession (Saint-André).
Fire walking (St. Peter)
MARCH
Fire walking (Sainte-Marie).
Nautiq'halle Fair (Halle des manifestations du Port).
Wood Fair (Halle des manifestations).
Day of the tradition and nature (Grande-Chaloupe).
APRIL
Hoem Fair (Exhibition Park of Saint-Denis).
The village games (Petite-Ile).
Short Film Festival (Saint-Benoit).
MAY
Local Products Festival (Saint-Paul).
JUNE
Hiking festival (Several sites on the island).
Le Grand Boucan (Saint-Gilles-les-bains)
Comedy festival (Saint-Denis, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Pierre).
Music day (on the 21st) around the island
guava and milk products festival (Plaine des Palmistes).
Country Heritage Day (FROTSI).
JULY
Fire walking (Sainte-Rose Ravine glissante) (Family temple).
National Day on the 14th)
Hand-made (Expositions park of St-Denis) (Craft).
Gadiamb hiking (Mountain hiking).
Citrus Fair (Petite-Ile).
Nature Energy (Saint-Benoit).
AUGUST
Flora and Halle (Halle des manifestations du Port).
Vacoa et du palm festival (Saint-Philippe).
Sakifo Musik Festival (Saint-Leu).
Wood Expo (Rivière Saint-Louis).
Automobile Tour of Reunion.
Welcoming Day in OTSI.
SEPTEMBER
Florchidées (Saint-André).
Tran.ci.ma.sa. (Mountain race).
Mascarene Fai (Halle des manifestations du Port).
Green Blue Weekend (Sainte-Rose).
Green Blue Triathlon (Sainte-Rose).
Garlic Festival (Petite-Ile) - agricultural hub
Calvary Festival (14 sept- Petite-Ile).
Heritage Days (DRAC).
Cycling tour.
OCTOBER
Parapente déguisé (Parapente et delta dans l'Ouest).
Florilèges (Le Tampon).
Fête des Bichiques (Bras-Panon).
NOVEMBER
The Great Raid (Mountain race).
Open de Vol libre de la Réunion (Delta plane et parapente).
International Petanque tournament (Saint-Pierre).
Curcuma Festival (Plaine des Grègues - Saint-Joseph).
Bamboo Festival (Saint-François).
Régal II Fair (Expositions park of Saint-Denis).
DECEMBER
Transdimitile (Entre-Deux).
Boucan créole – Freedom Race - to celebrate the abolition of slavery (Petite-Ile).
Preferred dishes:
Rougail Saucisse
Civet de zourites
Civet de lapin à la créole
Filets de poissons boucanés
Morceaux de viande boucanée
Chatini pommes d'amour
Le chop suey
Usually accompanied by rice, the most common dishes are the curry. They are almost served with beans such as Cilaos lentils.
Sightseeing
Places to visit
Saint Denis - The capital with its Creole houses, market, museums and colonial buildings.
Sainte Suzanne – Niagara Cascade Sainte Suzanne and pond
The vanilla plantation of Bras Panon
Saint-Gilles- les-Bains for its beaches, bars, restaurants, discothèques...etc
Circuses - Cilaos, Salazie, Mafate
The volcano
The St. Paul market
L’Etang Sale - The most beautiful black sand beach
METEO / LOCAL WEATHER: