Essentials
- City
- Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Réunion (Overseas Department of France)
- Population
- Approximately 7,000 (part of the larger Saint-Paul commune)
- Internet Speed
- Reliable fiber-optic (FTTH) common in rentals; 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps common. Zeop and Orange are providers.
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. French banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale) predominate.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though locals often prefer bottled water after heavy rainfall due to turbidity.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and E sockets (European standard).
- SIM Card
- Free Mobile (best value), Orange Réunion, or SFR. €20-€30 for 100GB+ data.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 work perfectly. Local accounts available at Crédit Agricole.
- Accommodation
- Short-term villas, beachfront apartments, and 'Residences de tourisme'.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted almost everywhere. Even small bakeries take contactless (Sans Contact).
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Leboncoin.fr are the primary platforms for monthly stays.
- Budget Accommodation
- Le Shanti (Hostel-style vibes) or small 'Gîtes' starting around €50/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- L'Ermitage-les-Bains for the lagoon access and beach clubs.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Grand Fond or near Rue de la Plage for proximity to cafés and the marina.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- L'Archipel (located nearby in Saint-Paul/Savanna) - Approx €25/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- La Varangue du Lagon - outdoor seating with sea breeze and decent Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- French Tech La Réunion meetups, usually held in nearby Le Port or Saint-Denis.
- Social Events for Expats
- Expat.com Réunion forum and 'Saint-Gilles Community' Facebook groups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber. Use 'Zotcar' for local car rentals or call Taxi Saint-Gilles (+33 262 24 51 51).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- L'Aventure à Vélo (E-bike rentals) - Approx €35/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage de l'Ermitage (protected by a coral reef, safe from sharks).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Austral (flights to Mauritius, Mayotte, Madagascar).
- Top International Airline
- Air France or French Bee (direct from Paris CDG/Orly).
- Highway Access
- Direct access to Route des Tamarins (N1 express highway).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. 'Car Jaune' Bus network (Line T) connects to the airport.
- Public Transport Passes
- Kar'Ouest network - €1.30 per ticket; €30 for a monthly pass.
- Regional Travel
- Car Jaune buses reach Saint-Denis (1 hour) and Saint-Pierre (45 mins).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHOR (Centre Hospitalier Ouest Réunion) in Saint-Paul.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Studio Yoga Bien-Être Saint-Gilles - €15-€20 per drop-in session.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Keep Cool Saint-Gilles - Modern gym with monthly memberships (~€35/mo).
- Laundry Services
- Laverie automatique 'Le Lave Linge' near the Saint-Gilles market.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Zot Livré (local alternative to UberEats).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cari Poulet or Rougail Saucisse (available at 'Trucks' for €8-€10).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Jardin d'Eden (has veggie-friendly options in a botanical setting).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Glacier l'Oasis - Famous for tropical fruit sorbets (Letchi, Victoria Pineapple).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super U Saint-Gilles or the Sunday morning market (Marché de l'Ermitage).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (shipping can be expensive/slow); local site Cdiscount.re.
- Grocery Delivery
- Cora à Domicile or Leclerc Chez Moi.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Port de Saint-Gilles (La Voile Blanche) and rooftop bars at l'Ermitage.
- Local Brewery
- Brasseries de Bourbon (Dodo beer) - Try the Métis white beer.
- Wine Bars
- Le Nicolas Wine Shop/Bar at the Marina.
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Camions-Bars' along the L'Ermitage coast for 'Bouchons' (steamed dumplings).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Le DCP (Japanese/Fusion) - high quality local tuna and swordfish.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Aquarium de la Réunion and the Port de Plaisance.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée de la Villèle (nearby in Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts) - Colonial history.
- Historical Sites
- Chapelle Pointue - 19th-century church on a former estate.
- Religious Sites
- Église de Saint-Gilles (Paroisse de Saint-Gilles-les-Bains).
- Annual Events
- Grand Boucan (The Island's Carnival) - usually held in June.
- Cultural Districts
- Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts for a more rural, authentic Creole feel.
- Theater Venues
- Téat Plein Air (Saint-Gilles) - spectacular open-air amphitheater.
- Local Markets
- Sunday Market in L'Ermitage - best for spices, crafts, and snacks.
- Music Scene
- Maloya music performances (UNESCO heritage) at local 'Kabars'.
- Street Art
- Collaborative murals near the marina and the shopping district.
- Cooking Classes
- Far Far Kréol (Saint-Gilles) - learn to make authentic wood-fire Cari.
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Art de Vivre - showcasing local painters and sculptors.
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional Creole 'Cases' (houses) scattered in the older village streets.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Paille-en-queue' bird symbol, representing the island's unique fauna.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Le Maïdo - Viewpoint overlooking the Cirque de Mafate (30-min drive).
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc National de la Réunion (covers 40% of the island).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- L'Ermitage lagoon shoreline walk or the Sentier Littoral Ouest.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cap Noir for sunrise views over the cirques.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Étang de Saint-Paul (Freshwater wetland/reserve nearby).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted due to fire risk; use designated BBQ pits in forest picnic areas.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (Colissimo), DHL, and UPS (all available in Saint-Paul).
- Tech Repair Services
- iStore Réunion (Apple authorized) in nearby Savannah.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports clubs in Saint-Paul (CP Saint-Paulois).
- Language Classes
- IFL (Institut Français de Langues) - French immersion courses.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque Leconte de Lisle (Saint-Paul).
- Community Centers
- Mairie Annexe de Saint-Gilles for local administration and social info.
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Run (Gaming and tech center in neighboring Le Port).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino de Saint-Gilles (at the marina) - Slots and table games.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €156,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,100 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €123,000 in Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €240,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €190,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €360,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €280,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard French rate), with some R&D tax credits for 'Outre-mer' businesses.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat Tax/PFU including social charges).
- Tax System
- French Tax System (Worldwide income for residents).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus potential high-income surcharge).
- VAT
- 8.5% (Special reduced rate for Réunion, vs 20% in mainland France).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, under French tax law (Article 209 B).
- Property Tax
- Taxe Foncière (annual, varies by local municipality valuation).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Frais de Notaire) for old properties; 2-3% for new builds.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Incentives for 'LOM' (Loi Outre-mer) for small businesses, but no specific nomad visa zero-tax.