Saint-Denis, Réunion
Encyclopedia
Saint-Denis is the préfecture
(administrative capital) of the French overseas region
and department
of Réunion
, in the Indian Ocean. It is located at the island's northernmost point, close to the mouth of the Rivière Saint-Denis
.
Saint-Denis is the most populous commune in the French overseas departments. At the 1999 census, there were 158,139 inhabitants in the urban area of Saint-Denis, 131,557 of whom lived in the city (commune) of Saint-Denis proper and the remainder in the neighbouring commune of Sainte-Marie
.
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Saint-Denis was founded by Étienne Régnault
in 1669 and became the capital of Réunion island in 1738.
which is also the main international airport of Réunion
. The Réunion Tram Train
, scheduled to start construction in 2008, will link the city to the airport and to Réunion's second city, Saint-Paul
.
The hotels in Saint-Denis include Mercure Creolia Hotel, Austral Hotel and Best Western
.
of Vietnam (also known as Yves Claude Vinh San) the son of Emperor Duy Tân
, was born and currently resides in Saint-Denis, Réunion with his family.
with:
Préfecture
A prefecture in France can refer to :*the Chef-lieu de département, the town in which the administration of a department is located;*the Chef-lieu de région, the town in which the administration of a region is located;...
(administrative capital) of the French overseas region
Région d'outre-mer
Overseas region is a recent designation given to the Overseas departments which have similar powers to those of the regions of metropolitan France. They have had these powers since 1982, when France's decentralisation policy dictated that they be given elected regional councils along with other...
and department
Département d'outre-mer
An overseas department is a department of France that is outside metropolitan France. They have the same political status as metropolitan departments. As integral parts of France and the European Union, overseas departments are represented in the National Assembly, Senate, and Economic and Social...
of Réunion
Réunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
, in the Indian Ocean. It is located at the island's northernmost point, close to the mouth of the Rivière Saint-Denis
Rivière Saint-Denis
The Rivière Saint-Denis is a river on the Indian Ocean island of Réunion. It flows to the sea close to the island's northernmost point after running through the island's capital, Saint-Denis...
.
Saint-Denis is the most populous commune in the French overseas departments. At the 1999 census, there were 158,139 inhabitants in the urban area of Saint-Denis, 131,557 of whom lived in the city (commune) of Saint-Denis proper and the remainder in the neighbouring commune of Sainte-Marie
Sainte-Marie, Réunion
Sainte-Marie is a commune in the French overseas department of Réunion. It is located on the north side of the island of Réunion, just east of, and adjacent to, the capital of Saint-Denis....
.
History
Étienne Regnault
Etienne Regnault was the first governor of Réunion. He arrived on the island in 1665 with a group of 20 settlers sent by the French East India Company. He founded the towns of Sainte-Suzanne and Saint-Denis and served as governor of the colony until 1671, after which he was succeeded by Jacques de...
in 1669 and became the capital of Réunion island in 1738.
Transport and accommodation
The closest airport is Roland Garros AirportRoland Garros Airport
Roland Garros Airport , formerly known as Gillot Airport, is located in Sainte-Marie on Réunion, The airport is east of Saint-Denis; it is named for the French aviator Roland Garros who was born in Saint-Denis....
which is also the main international airport of Réunion
Réunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
. The Réunion Tram Train
Réunion Tram Train
The Réunion Tram Train is a planned tram-train line to run approximately 140 kilometres along the coast of Réunion. Construction of the first phase was scheduled to start in 2010, for opening in 2013. The Tram'Tiss consortium is preferred bidder for a PPP concession to develop the line...
, scheduled to start construction in 2008, will link the city to the airport and to Réunion's second city, Saint-Paul
Saint-Paul, Réunion
Saint-Paul is the second-largest commune in the French overseas department of Réunion. It is located on the extreme west side of the island of Réunion.Until 1999, near Saint Paul there was the 428 metres tall mast OMEGA Chabrier transmitter.- Transport :...
.
The hotels in Saint-Denis include Mercure Creolia Hotel, Austral Hotel and Best Western
Best Western
Best Western International, Inc. is the third largest hotel chain, with over 4,195 hotels in nearly 80 countries. The chain, with its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, operates more than 2,000 hotels in North America alone. Best Western has a marketing program involving placement of free...
.
Mayors
- since 2008: Gilbert AnnetteGilbert AnnetteGilbert Annette is a politician from Madagascar who served and represented Réunion in the French National Assembly from 1993-1997...
, PS - 2001–2008: René-Paul VictoriaRené-Paul VictoriaRené-Paul Victoria is a member of the National Assembly of France. He represents the island of Réunion.Candidate for the French legislative election, 1997 in 1997, he loses against Michel Tamaya....
, UMP - 1994–2001: Michel Tamaya, PS
- 1989–1994: Gilbert AnnetteGilbert AnnetteGilbert Annette is a politician from Madagascar who served and represented Réunion in the French National Assembly from 1993-1997...
, PS - 1969–1989: Auguste LegrosAuguste LegrosAuguste Legros was a politician of La Réunion island.-References:...
, RPR
Attractions
- Léon Dierx Museum (art gallery and museum)
- Jardin de l'EtatJardin de l'ÉtatThe Jardin de l'État, formerly known as the Jardin du Roy, is a historic botanical garden on the island of Réunion, found in the capital Saint-Denis....
(public gardens – includes a natural history museum) - Le Barachois, seafront park
- La Roche Écrite (15 km south of the city), summit overlooking Saint-Denis, with impressive views over the city
International relations
Prince Bảo VangBao Vang
Prince Bảo Vang of Vietnam, also known as Yves Claude Vinh-San, is the illegitimate son of Emperor Duy Tân. He was born in Saint-Denis, Reunion Island, April 8, 1934.-Nguyễn dynasty:...
of Vietnam (also known as Yves Claude Vinh San) the son of Emperor Duy Tân
Duy Tan
Emperor Duy Tân , was a boy emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty and reigned in 9 years between 1907 and 1916. His name was Prince Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh San and was son of the Thành Thái emperor...
, was born and currently resides in Saint-Denis, Réunion with his family.
Twin towns – Sister cities
Saint-Denis, Réunion is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
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MetzMetzMetz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
(France) - Nice (France)
-
TangierTangierTangier, also Tangiers is a city in northern Morocco with a population of about 700,000 . It lies on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel...
(Morocco)