Reunion
Why Film in Reunion?
Réunion is a French overseas department of extraordinary volcanic drama – active volcano, soaring peaks, UNESCO cirques, waterfalls and lagoons – with European infrastructure, the euro and access to French film incentives, making it a uniquely capable Indian Ocean location.
- Access to French national film incentives and support
- One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Piton de la Fournaise
- The UNESCO cirques of Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie
- Piton des Neiges, the Indian Ocean’s highest peak
- Waterfalls, canyons and lagoons
- European (EU) infrastructure and the euro
- A capable local crew and film-friendly framework
- Astonishing volcanic-island variety
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Capital City
Saint-Denis
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Main Cities
Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Paul and Saint-Gilles
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Main Languages
French (official); Reunion Creole
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Currency
Euro (EUR)
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Weather
Reunion Island has a tropical climate with distinct seasons. Summer (December to March) is warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 24°C-33°C (75°F-86°F), making it ideal for underwater filming but also the cyclone season. Autumn (April to May) brings mild temperatures of 22°C-28°C (72°F-82°F), great for trekking and cultural events. Winter (June to September) is cooler at 20°C-26°C (68°F-79°F), with prime whale-watching opportunities. Spring (October to November) offers warm weather and lush landscapes, making it perfect for nature-focused productions.
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Climate
Tropical volcanic island – cooler, drier April to November
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Best Time To Shoot
April to November (dry, cooler)
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Main Production Hubs
Saint-Denis
Production Services
Our Reunion production services include:
- Local Producers
- Film Fixers
- Production Management
- Film, Video & Stills Crew
- Camera Equipment
- Lighting & Grip
- Drone Operators
- Location Scouting
- Film Permits
- Casting
- Transport & Logistics
- Crew & Cast Accommodation
- Security
- Catering
Crew & Equipment
Réunion has a capable local crew base within the French system, experienced in commercials, features, documentary and stills, with European standards and equipment.
Available crew includes local producers, fixers, production managers, camera and drone operators, gaffers, grips and production assistants; additional crew and gear are readily brought in from mainland France.
Professional camera, lighting and grip equipment is available to EU standards, with strong logistics across the compact island.
Top Filming Locations in Reunion
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Piton de la Fournaise
One of the world's most active volcanoes, Piton de la Fournaise offers dramatic, otherworldly landscapes of lava fields, craters, and rugged terrain, perfect for sci-fi, adventure, and action sequences.
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Cirque de Mafate
An isolated volcanic caldera accessible only by foot or helicopter, Cirque de Mafate boasts untouched wilderness, steep cliffs, and remote villages, making it ideal for nature documentaries and survival-themed productions.
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Cirque de Cilaos
Known for its breathtaking mountain views, deep canyons, and scenic hiking trails, this caldera provides a striking backdrop for dramatic and adventure-focused storytelling.
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Cirque de Salazie
Lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and mist-covered peaks define Cirque de Salazie. Its fairytale-like scenery suits romantic films, fantasy settings, and period dramas.
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Trou de Fer Waterfall
A spectacular 725-meter waterfall surrounded by dense jungle, Trou de Fer is a prime location for aerial shots and nature-focused cinematography.
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Lava Tunnels of Saint-Philippe
These underground lava caves offer a mysterious and cinematic setting for thrillers, adventure films, and sci-fi projects.
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Bassin des Aigrettes
A hidden gem with serene blue pools and cascading waterfalls, this location is ideal for romantic, fantasy, and adventure films.
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Piton des Neiges
The Indian Ocean's highest summit.
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Le Maïdo viewpoint
A sheer edge over Mafate.
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Grand Galet & Niagara Falls
Powerful cascades.
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Saint-Gilles & l'Hermitage lagoon
Turquoise reef lagoons.
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Grand Anse
A palm-fringed beach.
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The Route des Laves
Black-lava coastal flows.
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Bébour-Bélouve tropical forest
Misty highland woodland.
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Saint-Denis colonial architecture
French-Creole townhouses.
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Whale watching
Seasonal humpbacks offshore.
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Canyoning & waterfalls
Adventure in the ravines.
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Sugar-cane plantations
Rolling green fields.
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Creole villages
Colourful island communities.
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Anse des Cascades
Waterfalls meeting the sea.
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Voile de la Mariée, Salazie
A bridal-veil waterfall.
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Dramatic volcanic-island panoramas
Sweeping aerial vistas.
Hotel Options
Réunion offers coastal resorts and mountain hotels for travel and lifestyle productions to EU standards. Access for filming is subject to approval and availability.
- LUX* Saint Gilles – The island’s flagship beach resort.
- Palm Hotel & Spa, Grand Anse – Clifftop luxury.
- Le Blue Margouillat, Saint-Leu – Boutique west-coast hotel.
- Boucan Canot resorts – Beachfront bases.
- Cilaos & Salazie mountain hotels – Cirque bases.
- Saint-Denis city hotels – Capital bases.
Crew & Cast Accommodation
Cast and crew accommodation runs from west-coast resorts to mountain hotels in the cirques and city hotels in Saint-Denis, all to European standards. We arrange group bookings, transfers and logistics.
- Luxury (talent, directors, key clients)
LUX* Saint Gilles / Palm Hotel & Spa – Premium bases for talent and clients. - Mid-range (main crew, production team)
Saint-Gilles & Boucan Canot: resort hotels – Comfortable west-coast bases.
Cilaos & Salazie: mountain hotels – Convenient cirque bases.
Saint-Denis: city hotels – Reliable capital bases. - Budget & serviced options (extended crew, longer shoots)
Guesthouses (gîtes) and city hotels – Value options for larger crews.
Mafate mountain gîtes – Practical bases for the roadless cirque (accessed on foot or by helicopter).
Accommodation availability and rates vary by season and should be booked well in advance. African Fixer manages crew and cast bookings, transfers and per-location logistics as part of production support.
Best Time to Shoot
- April to November – The cooler, drier season and the main window.
- May to October – The clearest months for the volcano and cirques.
- Humpback whales pass offshore in the austral winter (roughly July to October).
- December to March is warmer and wetter, and the cyclone season.
Visa Requirements
International cast and crew should confirm visa and work permission requirements before travelling. Typical documents may include a valid passport, flight details, accommodation details, invitation letter, crew list and equipment list.
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Required Documentation
To apply for a visa, productions must provide a film permit, script, shooting schedule, and location agreements. Crew members must also present a passport valid for at least six months beyond their stay, travel insurance, and a complete crew list. If applicable, an invitation letter from local partners may be required.
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Timings & Cost
The visa process can take up to 30 days, with costs ranging between €60 – €180.
International Crew Accreditation
International productions may require local coordination, film permissions and supporting letters depending on the production type, locations and crew nationality, and should work with an in-country fixer or service company.
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Required Documentation
Accreditation requires a film permit, a Temporary Work Permit, customs clearance for equipment, professional identification, and liability insurance.
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Timings & Cost
The accreditation process takes approximately 4-6 weeks and costs between €300 – €500 per crew member.
General Film Permit
As a French department, Réunion operates within the French and EU framework, and filming is film-friendly, with national-park permissions (Parc national de La Réunion) for the volcano, cirques and forests. Work through a local fixer and allow lead time for protected areas.
Drone Permit
Drone filming follows French civil-aviation (DGAC) rules, with restrictions in the national park and near airports. Permissions should be arranged in advance.
Equipment Customs Clearance
Professional equipment can usually be temporarily imported with the correct customs documentation. An ATA Carnet may be used where applicable, and equipment lists should be prepared in advance.
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General Process
Productions must present an ATA Carnet at customs upon arrival and departure to avoid duties and taxes.
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Required Documents
Required documents include a commercial invoice, ATA Carnet, insurance documents, customs forms, and French Civil Aviation permits (if applicable).
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Timings & Cost
Customs clearance typically takes 2-5 days, with costs amounting to approximately 7% of the equipment’s value.
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Cost
Customs duties are subject to tariffs based on the list of gear and customs regulations. A 1% statistical import charge applies to the equipment’s total value.
Safety and Security
Réunion is very safe, with European infrastructure, healthcare and standards, and the euro. The main considerations are national-park rules, the volcano and mountain weather, the cyclone season, and shark-related bathing restrictions on parts of the west coast, all of which are planned around.
Film Rebates and Tax Incentives
As a French overseas department, Réunion sits within the French film-incentive framework: qualifying international productions may be able to access France’s Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP) and related national and regional support, sometimes with an overseas uplift.
African Fixer will confirm current eligibility, rates and the local production-company requirement, and manage the application during planning.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Yes. Permits are arranged through the relevant authorities, with additional permissions for protected and heritage areas. Work through a local fixer and allow lead time.
Yes. Réunion has a capable local crew within the French system, with additional crew and gear readily brought from mainland France.
Piton de la Fournaise volcano, the cirques of Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie, and the Saint-Gilles lagoon.
West-coast resorts, mountain hotels in the cirques and city hotels in Saint-Denis, all to EU standards.
Yes, with the correct customs paperwork; an ATA Carnet may be used. Plan to import camera, drone and specialist packages.
Yes. Drone filming requires civil-aviation authorisation, with restrictions near sensitive sites and protected areas.
Yes, in effect – as a French department, qualifying productions may access France's TRIP tax rebate and related support. We confirm eligibility and manage the application.
Yes – dramatic volcanic-island variety with European infrastructure, the euro and access to French film incentives.
Yes. We provide full production support from planning through to wrap, including permits and logistics.
Did You know?
Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, erupting on average every year or two – and the neighbouring Cirque de Mafate is so rugged it has no roads at all, reached only on foot or by helicopter.
PRO TIP:
Use Réunion’s French status to explore the TRIP tax rebate, shoot the clear April-to-November season, and pair the volcano and cirques with the west-coast lagoons – planning aerials and Mafate access by helicopter.
Laurent — Reunion
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