Saint-Denis Travel Guide
Réunion's small but spirited capital, Saint-Denis, is a picturesque town flanked by three mountains and situated at the mouth of the Saint-Denis River. It boasts a mixture of sophisticated French-style restaurants, bars and nightclubs, as well as more traditional sights and sounds. Sadly, Saint-Denis is often sidestepped on trips to the island, used merely as a starting point thanks to its proximity to the airport. However, it is well worth taking some time to explore its charms before moving on.
The chic, upmarket seafront area known as La Barachois has a lovely promenade, and remnants of the small port that once existed can be found here. These remains include an old warehouse of the infamous Dutch East India Company that now houses the French Administration Offices. The Grande Marche (market) is a veritable treasure trove of Malagasy arts and crafts, fragrant spices and textiles, while smaller markets offer mouth-watering fresh tropical fruits and vegetables.
A distinctly French flavour blends with traces of African, Chinese, and Indian culture, creating a rich mélange that is evident even in the cuisine. Visitors should make sure to try a delicious cari (a meat or fish stew cooked in a sauce and eaten with rice) and rougail (a spicy tomato salsa), sample some excellent Chinese food from a tiny take-away or indulge in juicy mangoes or litchis off the stalk.
Saint-Denis boasts a fascinating mix of religious architecture, including mosques, Tamil- and Buddhist temples, and a cathedral, illustrating the cultural diversity of the island. There are several quaint old buildings, an interesting Natural History Museum, a modern art museum named after the poet Léon Dierx, and, as mentioned, remains of old VOC buildings.
Visitors should also get out of town and climb one of the three surrounding peaks for an unspoilt panoramic view of the town's scenic surrounds. Perhaps the most breathtaking of all is from Route de la Montagne (the Mountain Road), a steep track that winds up to the top of a lava cliff that drops dramatically into the sea.
Once the delights of Saint-Denis have been explored, the rest of the island paradise of Réunion awaits.
Things to do in Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis, with its brasseries, bistros, cafes and Creole character, is a great jumping-off point for exploring the island paradise that is Réunion. This stunning little island town offers visitors architectural beauty, lively ambience, plenty of shopping and dining opportunities, and an abundance of French flair. We recommend visitors indulge in Saint-Denis's slew of excellent eateries and get their souvenir (and spice) shopping done here before exploring the rest of Réunion.
Tourist attractions in Saint-Denis include the Parc du Colorado, a park that is ideal for a picnic or a barbeque and boasts beautiful views; the Jardin de l'Etat, a pretty little garden in the heart of the city; the Musee Leon Dierx, with its impressive modern art collection; and the Natural History Museum, where visitors can learn about the animals, plants and geology of Réunion.
Of course, the real adventure begins when visitors venture a bit further afield on the island. There are many glorious excursions possible from Saint-Denis, which is best used as a travel hub for explorations of the natural wonders of Réunion.
Musee Leon Dierx
The Musee Leon Dierx, in Saint-Denis, houses an impressive collection of modern art, with works by some of the great masters of the genre, such as Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso, Vlaminck and Morisot. Much of the collection once belonged to a Réunion-born art dealer, Ambroise Vollard, and was later donated to the museum by Vollard's brother, Lucien, after Ambroise's death in 1939. The museum is a must for art lovers and is lauded as the best art collection in the Indian Ocean. Tours of the permanent and temporary exhibitions can be arranged, but must be booked in advance. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Natural History Museum
The Museum d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum) of Saint-Denis opened its doors in 1855 and was the first museum in Réunion. Home to a rich collection of the Indian Ocean's past and present fauna as well as rocks and minerals, the museum offers nature lovers a wonderful snapshot of the region's phenomenal natural heritage. As an added bonus, the actual building is listed as a historical monument, the grandeur of which alone is worth visiting for; plus, it's situated within the State Gardens (Jardin de l'Etat), a beautiful botanical garden that contains a number of exotic plants and trees, such as the talipot palm and the baobab.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Close to Saint-Paul, on the northwestern side of the island, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is a highly popular weekend destination, boasting a beautiful lagoon and gorgeous white-sand beaches. Once a sleepy fishing village, Saint-Gilles is now Réunion's most popular resort, attracting crowds of visitors intent on enjoying its wealth of leisure activities, watersports and lovely beaches. Snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming are all highly recommended here, but those tired of the beach can head to the Garden of Eden, a lovely botanical garden with roughly 700 species of tropical plants. Saint-Gilles also has plenty of hotels and restaurants, though these tend to get crowded at peak holiday periods and over weekends.
Getting Around
A good local bus service called Car Jaune operates within Saint-Denis and links the city to the rest of the island. The roads are well maintained and car hire agencies are available. Renting a car is a good option for those who want the freedom to explore independently, but really shouldn't be necessary for a stay in the capital alone. Taxis can also be found at taxi stands or ordered by phone within the city. The historic core and seafront area of Saint-Denis can easily and safely be explored on foot.
Saint-Denis Climate and Weather
Like the rest of Reunion, Saint-Denis has a tropical climate. November to April is hot and rainy, while the rest of the year is slightly cooler and drier. In Saint-Denis the summer temperatures average between 73°F (23°C) and 84°F (29°C), and in winter temperatures average between 64°F (18°C) and 75°F (24°C). Saint-Denis is home to one of the Indian Ocean's tropical cyclone monitoring centre, although the island itself is seldom affected. The cyclone season runs from mid-November to mid-April and the island is occasionally affected.
Saint-Denis is a pleasant holiday destination year-round and is never cold, though it may be humid and rainy. Travellers generally prefer to visit in the cooler dry season, between May and October.
Reunion travel info
Electricity
The electrical current is 220 volts, and the standard frequency 50Hz. European-style plugs with two round pins are standard.
Language
French is the official language but the most widely spoken language among locals is Reunion Creole. English is taught at school level.
Money
Reunion is an overseas department of France and uses the Euro as its official currency. There are plenty of banks and ATMs on the island, and most shops and hotels accept major credit cards.
Tipping
Tipping is not necessarily expected but is usually appreciated in Reunion. Some restaurants do add a service charge to the bill but if they don't a tip of about 10 percent is appropriate for good service.
Health
There are no real health risks associated with travel to Reunion. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Vaccinations are recommended for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. There is no chance of contracting malaria but precautions should still be taken against mosquito bites, as there are occasional outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya.
Reunion's medical facilities are very good. Most towns have doctors and clinics, while the principal hospital is in Saint-Denis. Tap water is usually safe for drinking, though visitors should take care immediately after a cyclone or cyclonic system, as main water supplies can become infected by debris washed into the system. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to emergency medical treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Safety
Most visits to Reunion are trouble-free. Crime levels are low but visitors should still be vigilant and avoid extravagant displays of wealth. Swimmers should be aware of currents and riptides; take note of signs on the beaches and, if unsure, ask the locals. Shark attacks are a concern off the island. The cyclone season is from November to April and travellers in Reunion during this time should keep track of storm alerts. The Piton de la Fournaise volcano is still active and an eruption is always possible, but volcanic activity is carefully monitored.
Local customs
Broadly speaking, Reunion follows French tradition and culture, although the island is influenced by its many different population groups. There is a mix of Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam on the island and visitors should respect the different religious groups and their customs.
Doing business
The business culture is quite relaxed in Reunion and only the most formal of occasions will require suits. French is the language of business and an interpreter should be brought along if needed, as there are few professional interpreters on the island. Business hours are generally 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Duty free
There are no restrictions on the import of local or foreign currency but amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if arriving from a country outside the European Union.
Travellers over 17 years of age entering Reunion can bring in the following items duty-free: either 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; one litre of spirits, four litres of wine and 16 litres of beer; perfume for personal use; and goods up to the value of €1,000 if arriving from an EU country, and €430 if arriving from a non-EU country.
Communications
The international access code for Reunion is +262. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). Hotels, cafes, restaurants and tourist offices generally offer wifi access, usually without charge.
Passport & Visa
Passports must be valid for the length of the intended stay. Travellers must have proof of return or onward tickets, sufficient funds or lodging certificates and all travel documents needed for onward journey. Schengen visas are also valid if endorsed "also valid for Reunion". It is highly recommended that visitors' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
US nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but should ensure that their passport has at least 3 months of validity after the date they intend to leave Reunion.
UK nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but should ensure that their passport has at least 3 months of validity after the date they intend to leave Reunion.
Canadian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but should ensure that their passport has at least 3 months of validity after the date they intend to leave Reunion.
Australian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but should ensure that their passport has at least 3 months of validity after the date they intend to leave Reunion.
South African nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but should ensure that their passport has at least 3 months of validity after the date they intend to leave Reunion.
Irish nationals do not require a visa, but should ensure that their passport has at least 3 months of validity after the date they intend to leave Reunion.
New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but should ensure that their passport has at least 3 months of validity after the date they intend to leave Reunion.
Useful contacts
Official Reunion Tourism Portal: en.reunion.fr
Emergencies: 17 (Police); 15 (Ambulance)Embassies / consulates in other countries
French Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 944 6000.
French Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7073 1000.
French Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 1795.
French Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (02) 6216 0100.
French Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 425 1600.
French Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 277 5000.
French Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 384 2555.
Embassies / consulates in Reunion
United States Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4312 2222.
British Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4451 3100.
Canadian Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4443 2900.
Australian Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4059 3300.
South African Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 5359 2323.
Irish Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4417 6700.
New Zealand Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4501 4343.