Module 1: About Réunion Introduction: No more than a green dot in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Réunion is part of the Mascareignes archipelago, lying 800km east of Madagascar, and only a 35minutes flight away from Mauritius Its main attraction is its diverse landscapes, all within a few kilometres of each other. Visitors can round off an early-morning volcano walk with an afternoon swim in the lagoon, watching the sun set behind the coral reef. The island was uninhabited until the middle of the 17th century, when it became a stopover on the trade routes. The French were the first to populate the island, using it as a penal colony for convicts from Madagascar. The first convicts landed in 1643, followed by the first colonists around 1663, who were accompanied by Malagasy servants. With the development of the coffee culture, slavery was introduced, with white settlers purchasing their workforce from the slave traders, who uprooted men, women and children from the Malagasy and East African coasts. The coffee plantations disappeared towards the end of the 18th century and were replaced by sugar cane. Slavery was abolished in 1848 but sugar cane still needed a workforce. Indian and African volunteers were then called upon and the plantation society lasted until the Second World War. A climbing orchid, vanilla, was imported from America and the island also discovered that its climate was ideal for producing geraniums and Vétyver, which give essential oils that are used by the major perfume makers. The island was granted the status of Overseas Department of France in 1946, and today has 900 000 inhabitants of diverse and often multiple origins.
For informations on Reunion, contact: France Tourism Development Agency Tel: 010 205 0201 Email: reunionisland.za@atout-france.fr Website: www.reunion.fr Local Representative Office in India Reunion Island Tourism C/o Iris Reps (I) Pvt Ltd Tel: 022 40238076 / 40043259 Fast Facts Entry Requirements: Effective 01 March 2013, Indian Passport holders the visa is gratis, this visa is valid for the duration of the stay. Documents required to apply for the Visa: Valid Passport Return Confirmed Ticket Itinerary from the DMC 01 night stop in Mauritius on the inbound to Reunion Island. Days taken to procure the Visa: It takes 5 working days to procure the Reunion Island E VISA Who process the Visa? The DMC based in Reunion Island will process the visa Capital: Saint Denis Health: It is advisable to use mosquito repellent, lotions and sprays (available locally in all pharmacies and health shops). Passengers arriving from endemic countries must be vaccinated against yellow fever and cholera. There is no malaria in Réunion.
Telephone: The telephone system is linked by satellite to mainland France and to the rest of the world. To call Réunion from abroad it s the international dialling code + 262 followed by the last nine digits of the local number: To call a landline: + 262 2 62.. To call a cell phone: + 262 6 92 or + 262 6 93 To call India from Reunion Island: + 91. Water and Electricity: Water is safe to drink all over the island. Mineral water is available in all restaurants, bars, snack-bars, grocery stores and supermarkets. Voltage: 220 volts. Driving: A French or International Driver s Licence is required. The road network includes 460km of main roads (national) of which 98km are freeways; 728km of secondary roads; and 1 700km of municipal roads. Driving on the island is easy, with all roads in good condition. Driving is on the right and the French Highway Code applies. Currency, Banks and Credit Cards: As Réunion is a department of France and an EU region, the currency used is the euro. Credit cards that are accepted on the island are Carte Bleue, Visa, MasterCard, Diners, Eurocard and American Express. Banks business hours are generally from 08h00 to 16h00, Monday to Friday. Holders of foreign bank cards (MasterCard, Visa, Eurocheques, and Cirrus) are able to withdraw euros at ATMs. Currency Exchange: The two bureaux de change located in Saint-Denis mean it is now possible to change currency from forty or so countries with ease. Buying and selling. Currency Exchange France: Roland Garros Airport Tel: +262 (0)2 62 31 28 73 Mobile: +262 (0) 6 92 925 244 Monday to Saturday from 6am to 9pm Sundays and bank holidays from 9:30am to 5pm
Point cash: 3 rue de Nice 97400 Saint-Denis (At the back of hotel Le Saint-Denis Best Western) Mobile: +262 (0) 692 707 300 Monday to Saturday: 9am to 12/1pm-5pm Time Difference: One and half hour behind of India. Duty-Free Allowances Tobacco Products*: Cigarettes (units): 200 Cigarillos (units): 100 Cigars (units): 50 Tobacco (grams): 250 (*for travellers over 17 years of age only) Spirits*: Non-sparkling wine: 2 litres Over 22% alcohol: 1 litre Under 22%alcohol: 2 litres (*for travellers over 17 years of age only) Perfume: Perfume: 50ml Eau de toilette: 250ml Coffee and Tea: Coffee: 500g Coffee extract and essence: 200g Tea: 100g Tea extract and essence: 40g
Medication: Quantities allowed according to the passenger s needs. Other Goods: Per passenger 15 years and older: 175 Per passenger under 15 years: 90 Per passenger from the European Union for goods purchased: 880 (all taxes included Climate and Seasons The island enjoys a tropical climate tempered by the proximity of the Indian Ocean. The coastal temperature varies between 18 and 32º C. Each region has its own microclimate and it is sunny all year round. Summer: From November to April (30ºC average). This is the hot and humid season. Light clothing is recommended, especially at the seaside. At higher altitudes the temperature varies between 15 and 24ºC. Winter: From May to October (20º C average) is the cool season. At higher altitudes and on the mountains the temperature may fall to 4ºC and rarely exceeds 25ºC. Above 1800m there is frequent frost, especially at night during July and August. What to Wear? Mostly light summer clothing is suitable but it is recommended to pack some warm clothes as on the high ground it may be cold in the evening.