Our Story
The Finalrentals Reunion Story
Not much is known about the beautiful island of Reunion, off the coast of Madagascar. With beautiful beaches along the coastline and a fascinating blend of cultures, Finalrentals Reunion is proud to be part of the rising tourism in the area.
With natural phenomena, stunning trails to hike and plenty of opportunities to embrace the culture, Reunion should definitely be on your bucket list of places to travel.
Finalrentals’ global presence continues to grow, and we’re thrilled to welcome Reunion to our partner programme, working with a brilliant team reinforcing our quality service and products.
Learn All About Reunion’s History
Reunion’s recorded history is a little shorter than many countries, beginning in 1513 with the arrival of the Portuguese. In the following century, the island was occupied by the French who renamed it ‘Bourbon’.
For the first 25 years of French occupation, the island was used to exile rebels before settlers arrived in 1665. It wasn’t until the 18th century that it gained its current name, Reunion.
Reunion then went from strength to strength gaining prosperity along with many of the islands in proximity to it. This was due to its position on the trade route between Europe and Asia where sugar plantations, worked by African slaves, were transported, forming a large portion of the economy.
The island was a French colony until the middle of the 20th century when it was declared an Overseas Department of France after a brief period under British rule.
Though much of the island still follows French convention, its history of other cultures as well as its proximity to Africa and the East make it an interesting blend and a fascinating place to visit.
Reunion’s Fascinating Blend Of Culture
As well as the blend of nationalities on the island, there is also a blend of different faiths, with everyone living in harmony. This makes perusing the island incredibly interesting with different religious buildings, such as churches, mosques and pagodas side by side, a representation of the many cultures and traditions within Reunion.
Many religious holidays are seen as a shared event, with whole communities coming together in celebration.
A large part of Reunion culture is the use of Creole. Most people on the island speak French, however, it is blended with many other languages of the surrounding countries, adding a colourful flavour to the dialect. A wonderful language full of expression, this is most evident in the traditional music, influenced by jazz, rock, reggae and more.
The diversity on the island is part of its charm, a truly unique blend that you won’t find anywhere else.
Reunion’s Delicious Cuisine
It’s unsurprising that the traditional cuisine of Reunion is full of colours and flavour and representative of the many cultures and ethnicities on the island.
Your culinary journey will take you through Chinese, European, Indian and Malagasy (Madagascan) influences. Because of this, Reunion's food traditions are very individual with different specialities depending on which region you are visiting.
The spices and flavours used make dining an aromatic experience to fill all the senses, with sweet dishes and fried delicacies. Plus, meals are often accompanied by rhum arrange, a delicious mulled wine.
Dishes will be packed full of rice, grains and rougaille, a tomato dish packed with herbs and spices. These will be staples of Reunion cuisine you’ll find in whichever restaurant you visit.
Something you’ll also always find is incredible hospitality and amazing service, something that will be replicated in the Finalrentals Reunion office. As soon as you step on our promises, you’ll be given a taste of the warm welcome you’ll receive from the friendly locals within our team.
Start Your Finalrentals Reunion Story
Deciding to take a trip to Reunion is a great decision and one you certainly won’t regret, but it is only the beginning. Luckily, the Finalrentals Reunion experience isn’t just about getting you on the road.
We’re here to help you from the start of your journey, with dozens of travel blogs detailing the best places and activities when in Reunion.
For instance, the beautiful capital of Saint-Denis is a must-visit when on the island. This is the ideal place for relaxation, with the chance to stroll along the stunning seafront and gaze upon the azure water, breathing in the crisp sea air. Play areas line the enjoyable walk, so it’s the ideal location to take the children, especially with street food vans dotted along the way providing delicious snacks. For a more adventurous walk, the city offers beautiful hikes through Sentier de la Providence or a two-hour tour of the colourful Creole garden.
If it's beautiful beaches that you’re after, then it's the municipality of Saint Paul for you. Largely protected from strong winds, it has some of the most awe-inspiring beaches, including Boucan Canot, L’Ermitage and Saline-les-Bains. Not only are these perfect for relaxing, but offer the chance to go swimming, snorkelling and more to dive below the water. For adrenaline junkies, kayaking and sailing are also available to make some lifelong memories.
Our Finalrentals Reunion blogs are here to help you decide on your perfect itinerary to discover this unforgettable island. Plus, our wide range of vehicles can suit your every need, whether you need a family car or an SUV foursome off-roading. Our service puts you in the driving seat of your holiday, so start your Finalrentals Reunion story today.