L’Île de La Réunion

My first impression upon arriving on the island was that I was in France. The vehicles, the public transport, the roads, the roundabouts that follow one another, the heavy traffic, the beauty of the facilities, the difficulty of parking, everything, except the tropical vegetation.

More modern and richer than Mauritius and even French Polynesia, but the population is predominantly Creole and proud of it, which creates a continuity.

Like Mauritius, but unlike Polynesia, the island was uninhabited when the first Europeans arrived. The people of Réunion are therefore an amalgamation of various waves of immigration: European, African, Indian, and Chinese. This melting pot has created a common language derived from French, a unique spicy cuisine, and a friendly atmosphere that makes it a pleasure to get around.

Quebecers are very welcome here because many people from Réunion have settled there thanks to a special program run by the local government. Our dialect and our friendliness are well-regarded here.