Transportation
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage de l'Ermitage - Protected by a coral reef, safe for swimming and snorkeling
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Austral (direct flights to Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte)
- Top International Airline
- Air France or French Bee (daily flights to Paris-Orly or CDG)
- Highway Access
- The Route des Tamarins (N1) provides fast access to the south (Saint-Pierre) and north (Saint-Denis)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare Routière de Saint-Paul (Main bus hub for Car Jaune and Kar'Ouest)
- Public Transport Passes
- Kar'Ouest network for local Saint-Paul travel; 'Pass Transport' for Car Jaune (intercity) approx. €50/month
- Regional Travel
- Car Jaune buses connect Saint-Paul to Saint-Denis (North) and Saint-Pierre (South) for €2-€5 per trip
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- ZotCar (for car sharing) or G7 Taxi services; Uber is not available
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rent a Bike (Saint-Gilles) - Electric bikes approx. €35/day for exploring the coastal path
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHOR - Centre Hospitalier Ouest Réunion (Route des Tamarins, Saint-Paul)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Reunion Island (La Saline) - Group classes approx. €18 per session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Keepcool Saint-Paul (Savanna) - Monthly membership approx. €34.90
- Laundry Services
- Laverie Speed Queen (Rue Saint-Louis, Saint-Paul) - Approx. €5 per wash
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats is active in Saint-Paul/Saint-Gilles; also local service 'Zot Livré'
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cari Poulet (Chicken Curry) with rougail tomate and lentils (approx. €12 at local snacks)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Jardin d'Heden (Saint-Gilles) - Offers upscale plant-based options in a botanical setting
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie l'Instant T (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains) - High-end French pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Front de Mer (Saint-Paul Market) - Friday and Saturday, best for fresh tropical fruits and spices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (Note: high shipping fees and 'Octroi de Mer' import tax apply)
- Grocery Delivery
- Leclerc Drive (Saint-Paul) - Order online and pick up by car
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The 'Place du Marché' and beachfront in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains (e.g., Bar de la Marine)
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie de la Réunion (Dodo Beer) - Available everywhere; look for craft 'Dalons' beer
- Wine Bars
- Le Casier (Saint-Gilles) - Excellent French wine selection and seafood
- Street Food Stalls
- Les Camions Bars (Saint-Paul waterfront) - Serving 'American Bouchon' sandwiches for €6-€8
- Popular International Cuisine
- Thaï Run (Saint-Gilles) - Authentic Thai food; approx. €15 per main
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Saint-Paul Waterfront and the landing pier (Débarcadère)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée de Villèle (Historic colonial estate in nearby Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts)
- Historical Sites
- Cimetière Marin (Sea Cemetery) - Where the pirate La Buse is buried
- Religious Sites
- Église de la Conversion de Saint-Paul (18th-century architecture)
- Annual Events
- Fête de la Saline (July) and the Dipavali (Festival of Lights) in nearby areas
- Cultural Districts
- The town center of Saint-Paul for the historic Franco-Reunionese architecture
- Theater Venues
- Léspas Culturel Leconte de Lisle (Rue Eugène Dayot)
- Local Markets
- Saint-Paul Fair (Friday all day, Saturday morning) - The largest market on the island
- Music Scene
- Maloya performances (UNESCO heritage) - Frequently at 'Kabar' events near the beach
- Street Art
- Murals by local artist Jace (the 'Gouzou' characters) throughout the city streets
- Cooking Classes
- Far-Far Kréol (Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts) - Authentic Reunionese cooking workshops
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Art de Vivre (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains)
- Historic Buildings
- Former Saint-Paul Train Station (an iconic basalt stone building)
- Local Heritage
- The 'Paille-en-queue' bird symbol, representing the island's unique fauna
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Maïdo Lookout - 45 min drive, offering the best view of the Cirque de Mafate
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc National de la Réunion (UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 40% of the island)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Sentier Littoral Ouest (Coastal Path) - Runs from Saint-Paul to Saint-Gilles
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cap Homard - Spectacular cliff views over the Indian Ocean between Boucan and Saint-Gilles
- Birdwatching Locations
- Réserve Naturelle Nationale de l'Etang de Saint-Paul (Wetlands area)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beach fires are generally prohibited; use designated 'kiosques' with BBQ pits in public parks
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (Main office: Rue de la Compagnie des Indes, Saint-Paul)
- Tech Repair Services
- iServices (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains) - Specialized in smartphone and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Gymnase de Saint-Paul (Municipal sports center)
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de la Réunion (Located in Saint-Denis, 30 mins away)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque Leconte de Lisle (Modern waterfront library with Wi-Fi)
- Community Centers
- Maison de Quartier de la Plaine - Social and cultural local gatherings
- Gaming Lounges
- Local cybercafés in Saint-Gilles; limited dedicated gaming lounges
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino de Saint-Gilles (Ermitage-les-Bains) - Slots and table games
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €135,000) in Saint-Gilles center
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €96,000) in Plateau Caillou
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €210,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €150,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,900 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €292,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €202,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard French rate; small businesses might qualify for reduced rates like 15%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat Tax/Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique)
- Tax System
- French tax system; residency triggered by 183+ days. High social contributions
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (on income over €177,106)
- VAT
- 8.5% (Standard rate in Reunion, lower than mainland France's 20%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following French/EU anti-tax avoidance directives
- Property Tax
- Yes, Taxe Foncière (approx. €800-€1,500 annually for a 1-bedroom)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% in Notary fees for old properties; 2-3% for new builds
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Specific tax exemptions (ZRR) exist for setting up businesses in certain developmental zones on the island
Essentials
- City
- Saint-Paul, Arrondissement of Saint-Paul, Reunion Island, France
- Population
- Approximately 105,000
- Internet Speed
- High-speed Fiber (FTTH) widely available; average 200-500 Mbps download, 4G+ mobile coverage strong in urban areas
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major French banks like BNP Paribas and Société Générale present
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, though many locals prefer bottled water after heavy tropical rains due to turbidity
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets (Standard French/European plugs)
- SIM Card
- Orange Réunion, SFR Réunion, and Free Mobile (Free offers excellent 100GB+ plans for €19.99/month)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 work perfectly; local branch banking via Crédit Agricole Mutuel de la Réunion
- Accommodation
- Seasonal rentals, Gîtes de France, and apartments via Leboncoin
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless card payments (CB) accepted in almost all shops and restaurants
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com are dominant; expect €60-€100/night for decent studios near the lagoon
- Budget Accommodation
- Le Shanti (La Saline les Bains) - approx. €35/night for basic private rooms
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Saint-Gilles-les-Bains for the marina, beaches, and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- La Saline-les-Bains for a quieter vibe with beach access, or Boucan Canot for the scenery
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- LIZINE by CBo Territoria (Savanna, Saint-Paul) - Daily pass approx. €25, monthly €250
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Coffee Shop (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains) - Good Wi-Fi, excellent espresso, and outdoor seating
- Networking Events
- French Tech La Réunion events held periodically in the Savanna business district
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Reunion Island Facebook group; meetups usually happen at Sauvage (beach bar) in Saint-Gilles