8 Fun Facts About La Réunion (France)

We gathered 8 fun facts about Réunion, highlighting its culture, beauty, volcanic mountains and colorful coral reefs.

In recent years, La Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, became a popular travel destination for my European friends.

While visiting mainland France is still the top travel destination for tourists worldwide, here are three reasons why my German friends recommend adding this French island to your travel list:

1. EU citizens need only a valid ID or passport to visit, and U.S. citizens can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. My German friends can head down to La Reunion without even thinking twice about it.
2. It’s a great place to practice French. Why did I struggle with German winters practicing my French when I could have been working on my tan and practicing my parlez-voux at the same time? I hadn’t heard about it at all when I was a kid. I grew up in Bremen, Northern Germany. During my winters, I was sledding down hills before eating Baumkuchen.  I could have been eating cari (Reunionese curry) and jet skiing instead.
3. Now, nowhere was as welcoming as my grandparents’ home near Bremen, but Reunion’s culture and tropical beauty make everyone feel welcome.

Yet, for many this French overseas region remains an unknown destination. I was curious about this hidden paradise, so I gathered 8 fun facts about the island. Here’s what we discovered about La Réunion (also known as La Reunion).

1. La Réunion is a French overseas department

La Réunion is an island in the Indian Ocean, located to the east of Madagascar and southwest of Mauritius. It is an overseas department of mainland France and part of the Mascarene Islands. This means the island is a member of the European Union, just like Italy or Germany.

Officially, Réunion Island is known as the Department of La Réunion.

Key Facts about La Réunion:

2. Reunion Creole blends multiple languages

Reunion Creole is a dialect that blends multiple languages, including French, Hindi, Malagasy, Portuguese, Tamil and Gujarati. Although French is the official language of La Réunion, Reunion Creole is widely spoken alongside French.

3. La Réunion has one of the world’s most active volcanoes

La Réunion is home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, the Piton de la Fournaise. This volcano on the eastern side of the island has erupted more than 100 times since 1640 and has shaped the island’s rocky landscape.

Beautiful mountain landscapes in La Réunion.

Lava tunnels have formed underneath the island’s surface due to past eruptions of the volcanic mountains in La Réunion. These underground passages were created when the surface of a lava flow cooled and hardened while molten rock continued to flow beneath, eventually carving out tunnels. Guided tours allow visitors to discover this hidden geological wonder.

While the volcanic mountains of Piton de la Fournaise might sound intimidating, the lava flows are closely monitored and usually pose no danger to residents and tourists. It’s a thrilling yet safe spectacle.

4. La Plage des Brisants is a must-visit destination

La Plage des Brisants is a white sand beach lined with casuarina trees, under which the locals often organize picnics. The tropical white sand beach is perfect for enjoying island life with many athletic and leisurely activities taking place.

Le Vieux Port in Saint Philippe is another beach that you shouldn’t miss on a trip to La Réunion. This green-sand beach was formed by the 2007 lava flow and is among the youngest beaches in the world.

A whale breaching the ocean’s surface off La Réunion.

The coastal waters are home to parrotfish, sea turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales. When humpback whales migrate north, you can see them breaching the water’s surface.

5. Reunion Island is wet and beautiful

Reunion Island is one of the wettest places on Earth and holds several world records for rainfall, including the greatest twenty-four-hour rainfall with 71.85 inches (1.825 meters) during Cyclone Gamede in 2007. The island’s mountainous terrain and tropical climate contribute to these extreme weather events.

6. From Africa to India, La Réunion mixes cultures

The island’s population is a vibrant mix of ethnic groups, including African, Indian, European, Chinese and Malagasy descent. When Europeans discovered La Réunion in the 16th century, it had no indigenous inhabitants.

Dipavali, also known as Diwali, is a Hindu festival of lights.

Reunion’s population and cultural diversity are reflected in the island’s cuisine, music, and traditions:

• Maloya Music: Originally a protest rhythm by enslaved people, now blends rock and jazz.
• Cuisine: The cuisine is a unique mix of Indian curries, French pastries, African spices and Chinese stir-fries.
• Festivals: Dipavali and Chinese New Year festivals are celebrated annually.

7. The longest domestic flight, from Paris to La Réunion, covers 5,808 miles

The longest domestic flight route, covering 5,808 miles (9,349 km), is from Paris to La Reunion. This is twice the distance from New York to Los Angeles.

8. La Réunion is a key producer for Bourbon vanilla

You can never go wrong with vanilla ice cream.

La Réunion, formerly known as Île Bourbon, is a key producer of Bourbon vanilla, a variety that is exclusively grown in the Indian Ocean.

Although vanilla was originally cultivated in Mexico, it was introduced to the Indian Ocean region in the 19th century. In 1841, a 12-year-old boy named Edmon Albius discovered the technique of hand-pollinating vanilla orchids. This labor-intensive method is still widely used today and is highly valued by chefs and food enthusiasts around the world.

Main agricultural products of La Réunion:

• Vanilla: High-quality Bourbon vanilla, famous worldwide.
• Sugarcane: Primary export, also used in rum production.
• Coconuts, tuna and other fish: Significant contributors to the local economy.