Essentials
- City
- Saint-Pierre, Réunion Island, France
- Population
- 85,000
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber is common; average speeds 100-400 Mbps via Orange or Zeop.
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major French banks include Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, though locals often use filters or bottled water (Cilaos brand) after heavy tropical rain.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets (French standard).
- SIM Card
- Orange Réunion, SFR Réunion, and Free Mobile (Free offers the best value with large data roaming packages).
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are widely used. Local ATMs (Distributeurs) are everywhere in the city center.
- Accommodation
- Mix of beachfront studios and mountain villas. Average monthly rent for a managed studio is approx. €850-€1,100.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards (Carte Bleue/Visa) are accepted almost everywhere, including small bakeries via 'Sans Contact'.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Leboncoin.fr are the primary platforms for short-stay apartments.
- Budget Accommodation
- Le Saint-Pierre Hostel (approx. €35/night for a dorm) or small Gîtes de France.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Terre Sainte - a charming traditional fishing village with narrow streets and beach access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Front de Mer / City Center for proximity to cafes, coworking, and the lagoon.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- LIZINE by CBo Territoria (Savanna or La Mare locations nearby, approx. €25/day).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Wake Up Cafe (Boulevard Hubert Delisle) - reliable Wi-Fi and high-quality local Bourbon Pointu coffee.
- Networking Events
- French Tech La Réunion meetups often held in Saint-Denis or Saint-Pierre tech hubs.
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Expats in Reunion Island' Facebook group organises monthly 'Aperos' at beach bars like Le DCP.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- ZotCar (car sharing) or the local app 'VTC Réunion'. Note: Uber does not operate here.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- 車站 (Station) Bike rental near the port; Altereo offers electric bike rentals (approx. €30/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage de Saint-Pierre - a protected lagoon safe for swimming/snorkeling inside the reef.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Austral (links to Mauritius, Madagascar, and Mayotte).
- Top International Airline
- Air France, French Bee, and Corsair (direct flights to Paris-Orly or CDG).
- Highway Access
- The Route des Tamarins (N1) connects Saint-Pierre to the west coast and the north.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare Routière de Saint-Pierre (Main bus station for the 'Car Jaune' network).
- Public Transport Passes
- Alternéo cards for local city travel; Car Jaune passes for island-wide travel (approx. €2 per trip).
- Regional Travel
- Car Jaune buses link to Saint-Denis (North) or Saint-Gilles (West) for €5 one-way.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHRU de la Réunion - Site Sud (Hôpital de Saint-Pierre) in Terre Sainte.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Saint-Pierre (Rue du Four à Chaux) offers Hatha and Vinyasa classes (approx. €15/class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Keepcool Saint-Pierre or Moving Express (Monthly pass approx. €35-€50).
- Laundry Services
- Laverie automatique 'Lave en Net' on Rue des Bons Enfants (approx. €5/wash).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Z市民 (Zity) or Only Eat (Local variations of Deliveroo/UberEats).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Rougail Saucisse - smoked sausages in a spicy tomato-based sauce, served with rice and lentils.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Jardin d'Eden (near the market) offers plant-based bowls and fresh juices.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie d'Eaubonne for French pastries with tropical fruits (Mango/Passionfruit tarts).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Forain de Saint-Pierre (Saturday morning) - the best place for cheap tropical fruit and spices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (shipping can be expensive/slow); Cdiscount (ships to Reunion).
- Grocery Delivery
- Leclerc.re or Carrefour.re Drive services.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Boulevard Hubert Delisle - lined with bars like Le Longboard and Villa Club.
- Local Brewery
- Brasseries de Bourbon (Dodo beer) and specialty craft brewery 'La Picaro'.
- Wine Bars
- La Cave du Port - offers a wide selection of French wines and local snacks.
- Street Food Stalls
- Camions Bar along the waterfront selling 'Bouchons' (steamed dumplings) and 'Sandwich Américain'.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ti Fred (Creole/French fusion) and various high-quality Sushi spots near the marina.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Saint-Pierre waterfront and the colorful Tamil temple (Temple Narassingua Peroumal).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Saga du Rhum - a museum dedicated to the island's sugar cane and rum history (entry approx. €10).
- Historical Sites
- The Domaine du Café Grillé - botanical garden highlighting the colonial history of coffee.
- Religious Sites
- Mosquée de Saint-Pierre (Atyaboul Massadjid) - one of the oldest and most beautiful in France.
- Annual Events
- Sakifo Musik Festival (June) - one of the largest music festivals in the Indian Ocean.
- Cultural Districts
- Terre Sainte - the old fishing district with its unique murals and local vibe.
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre Luc Donat (Le Tampon, 15 mins away) for major performances.
- Local Markets
- The Covered Market (Marché Couvert) for crafts, vanilla, and essential oils.
- Music Scene
- Maloya music performances (UNESCO Heritage) – often held spontaneously in public squares.
- Street Art
- Murals by local artist Jace (Gouzous) can be found hidden all over the city.
- Cooking Classes
- Far-Far Kréol (located in nearby Entre-Deux) for authentic wood-fire Creole cooking lessons.
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Art de Vivre on Rue Victor le Vigoureux.
- Historic Buildings
- The Old City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), a restored West India Company warehouse.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Paille-en-queue' bird, a symbol of the island found in local jewelry and art.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Grand Anse - a stunning beach cove with palm trees (15 mins drive, swimming restricted to the rock pool).
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc National de la Réunion (UNESCO site) - access via Le Tampon to the Piton de la Fournaise volcano.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The seaside promenade from the port to the mouth of the Rivière d’Abord.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fenêtre des Makes (45 mins drive) for an incredible view over the Cilaos Cirque.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The cliffs of Cap Méchant for watching seabirds and crashing waves.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally forbidden on beaches; use designated picnic/barbecue areas in the 'Hauts' (highlands) like Les Makes.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (Colissimo); DHL and FedEx for international documents.
- Tech Repair Services
- Clinique du Smartphone on Rue des Bons Enfants.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club de Tennis de Table de Saint-Pierre (Gymnase municipal).
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française provides French immersion, though most services are in nearby Saint-Denis.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque Raphaël Barquissau (Free Wi-Fi and quiet workspaces).
- Community Centers
- L'Espace Culturel Salahin for local workshops and exhibitions.
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Run in the city center for high-speed gaming rigs.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino du Sud (Boulevard Hubert Delisle) - slot machines and table games.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,800/m² (e.g., 30m² = €114,000).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,900/m² (e.g., 30m² = €87,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,500/m² (e.g., 50m² = €175,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,600/m² (e.g., 50m² = €130,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,200/m² (e.g., 75m² = €240,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400/m² (e.g., 75m² = €180,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard French rate; some local tax exemptions apply in 'Zone Franche Urbaine').
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat tax 'PFU' in France).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (France).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% plus a surcharge for high earners.
- VAT
- 8.5% (Reduced rate compared to mainland France's 20%).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following French tax code and EU directives.
- Property Tax
- Yes, Taxe Foncière (annual) and Taxe d'Habitation (now largely abolished for primary residences).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% for existing properties (Notaire fees/transfer tax).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; however, Reunion offers 'Loi Pinel Outre-mer' for property investors and lower VAT.