Indian Ocean
Flights to Reunion Island
from 560 €
Practical information
Before your departure, make sure you have:
- a valid ID card
- or a valid passport
Information regarding customs and police formalities is provided for reference only. Corsair cannot be held responsible if you are not compliant with the authorities’ requirements.
To help you prepare for your trip, we recommend contacting the La Réunion Island Tourism Board in Paris:
90 rue La Boétie - 75008 Paris
Phone: +33 (0)1 40 75 02 79
Website: www.reunion.fr
Corsair's Train + Air offer for a flight to Reunion Island
To enjoy a trip at competitive fares to La Réunion, Corsair takes care of everything. The airline offers flights to Reunion Island from 22 cities across mainland France thanks to its Train + Air offer. With this option, you can leave directly from your city by TGV to reach Massy station in the Paris region. Then, a shuttle will take you to Paris-Orly airport in just 20 minutes. After that, you simply board your flight for an unforgettable journey. When you choose Corsair, you only need one ticket that includes the TGV ride, the shuttle transfer, and the flight.
Good to know
No vaccinations are required for a round trip to La Réunion. However, be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and mosquito repellent.
Once there
Store and service hours
Shops are open between 8 am and 5 pm.
Most services operate from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and often on Saturday mornings.
Transportation
The CITALIS urban transport network offers 56 lines serving Saint-Denis, Sainte-Marie, and Sainte-Suzanne. Depending on your travel plans, car rental is also a popular option.
Safety
Be cautious when swimming in the sea, as shark attacks are occasionally reported in certain areas. For safe swimming, follow the instructions posted on signs near the beaches.
Holidays and festivals
- Chinese New Year
- Cavadee Festival in Saint-Leu, Saint-André, and Saint-Louis
- Labour Day on May 1st
- Bras-Panon Agricultural Fair
- Sakifo Musik Festival in Saint-Pierre
- Grand Boucan Carnival in Saint-Gilles les Bains
- Bastille Day on July 14th
- Choca Festival in L’Entre-Deux
- Vacoa Festival in Saint-Philippe
- Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette pilgrimage in Saint-Leu on September 19th
- Dipavali Festival
- Fête des Cafres (Fèt kaf') and Abolition of Slavery Day on December 20th
Must-sees
The city of Saint-Denis has a truly exceptional historical heritage. Its monuments, parks, museums, and Creole houses tell the story of its past like an open book.
The Barachois, La Roche Ecrite, and the Saint-Denis Cathedral are definitely must-sees when visiting Saint-Denis in La Réunion.
A walk through the city center of Saint-Denis
As you walk past the prefecture and the former city hall, you’ll come across the old Creole houses on Rue de Paris, including Villa Deramond Barre and Maison Carrère. You can then explore the Grand Marché and the Petit Marché.
Monuments and museums
Among the landmarks, visit the Saint-Denis Cathedral, the old city hall, Noor al Islam Mosque, and the church in the Saint-Jacques district.
The Léon Dierx Museum (home to a major collection of impressionist art), the Natural History Museum, and the Dodo Beer House are also well worth a visit.
Parks and gardens
The Jardin de l’État offers a fantastic collection of fruit trees and exotic species. You’ll also find the Natural History Museum of La Réunion within the garden. The Colorado Park is one of the city’s main green spaces and a popular gathering spot for Saint-Denis residents.
Just a few minutes from Saint-Denis: Colorado Park is a large natural area located slightly above sea level (300m). It’s a starting point for many hiking and mountain biking trails, and also features a golf course.
A unique natural world to discover
The island of La Réunion is a true paradise for nature and adventure lovers. One of the major highlights is the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its lunar landscapes, shaped by lava flows and steaming craters, offer a unique and unforgettable experience. The hiking trails lead you through stunning volcanic scenery, where you can feel the raw power and beauty of unspoiled nature.
The cirques of Mafate, Salazie, and Cilaos are also geological treasures not to be missed. These natural formations, created by the collapse of the Piton des Neiges' slopes, offer breathtaking panoramas and exceptional hiking opportunities. Each cirque has its own charm and character. Mafate, accessible only on foot or by helicopter, is a true sanctuary of peace, with its remote villages and rugged trails. Salazie, with its waterfalls and lush forests, is a haven for nature lovers. Cilaos, meanwhile, is known for its thermal baths and mountainous landscapes, offering spectacular views of the surrounding peaks.
Finally, the Piton des Neiges, the island’s highest point at 3,070 meters above sea level, is a demanding yet impressive hike. Watching the sunrise from the summit is an unforgettable experience, offering a sweeping view over all of La Réunion. The alpine scenery and tamarind forests in the highlands add to the beauty of this climb.
Gastronomy
A mostly Creole cuisine with Indian influences
While Indian, Chinese, and traditional French (“métro”) restaurants can be found, Réunion’s cuisine is primarily Creole.
Flavorful, generous, and often spicy, it shows a clear Indian influence. Some recipes also echo Malagasy and African dishes.
A few typical dishes
Reunion Island is a unique gastronomic destination, offering a rich and varied Creole cuisine influenced by French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Malagasy cultures. Some typical dishes include: chicken cari, fish cari (cari being a staple preparation in Réunionese cooking), civets (made with rooster or duck), and pâté créole. Another classic is rougail saucisse, a spicy stew made with smoked sausages, tomatoes, and chili peppers. Samoussas, deep-fried pastries filled with meat or vegetables, are also very popular. For seafood lovers, bichiques (fish fry) and camarons (large prawns) are local delicacies.
Local products and markets
Local produce plays a big role in the uniqueness of Réunionese cuisine. Some fruits are harvested while still green and used as vegetables, but are also enjoyed ripe as fruits.
Markets overflow with fresh fruits: pineapples, mangoes, avocados, bananas, coconuts, peaches, starfruit, passion fruit, guava, lychees, and papayas will amaze you with their freshness.
Drinks
Good quality French wines are available at reasonable prices. You should also try some “new world” wines, such as those from South Africa, which are often excellent.
Don’t forget to try coffee-vanilla. Supermarkets offer “Pause Café” bottles, which are actually coffee-vanilla punch drinks with a liqueur flavor.
Mind the restaurant hours
Restaurants generally close early, both at lunchtime and in the evening.
Climate
The climate of Reunion Island is tropical maritime
La Réunion has a tropical climate, influenced by trade winds and the island’s mountainous terrain. It is characterized by two main seasons: a hot and humid season, and a cooler, drier season.
Wet season (November to April)
Temperatures: During this season, temperatures are generally high, averaging between 25°C and 30°C along the coast. Nights can be warm and humid.
Rainfall: This period sees heavy rainfall, especially on the eastern and southeastern slopes of the island where the trade winds bring in moisture. Thunderstorms and showers are frequent, and cyclones may occur, though they are relatively rare.
Conditions: The high humidity can make the air feel heavy and stifling, especially around midday. Hiking can be more challenging due to weather conditions.
Dry season (May to October)
Temperatures: Temperatures are more moderate during this season, with averages between 20°C and 25°C along the coast. Nights can be cool, especially at higher altitudes.
Rainfall: Rain is much less frequent, and days are generally sunny. This is the ideal period for outdoor activities and hiking.
Conditions: The air is drier and temperatures are more pleasant, making this season particularly suitable for exploring the island.
Cooler at higher elevations
At higher altitudes, temperatures can drop to 4°C and rarely exceed 25°C.
In the high mountains, temperatures can even fall below zero. At 1,800 meters, frost is common at night, particularly in July and August.
Our flights to Reunion Island
Our flights to Reunion Island
