On the eve of the first anniversary of its inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Réunion Island was celebrated by the City of Nice this Friday. In the presence of the president of the regional council of the island, Didier Robert, the deputy mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, officially opened the Réunion Village in the Albert I Garden, in a warm and exotic atmosphere.
A Taste of the Tropics in the Heart of Nice
A generous sun shines over Nice this Friday. Crowds gather at the entrance of the Réunion Village in Albert I Garden. Elected officials are running late. A photographer breaks the silence with a joke: “Aren’t they tired of making us sweat?”
While the uncomfortable 24°C (75°F) doesn’t help with patience, some pass the time by imagining themselves transported to the French-speaking island in the Indian Ocean.
Eat, Breathe, and See Réunion
With the ribbon cut, the Réunion Village is officially opened by Mayor Estrosi and President Robert. The event resembles a lively tropical flea market.
Local food, landscapes, and wildlife – all aspects of Réunion Island are showcased. Even the island’s iconic Piton de la Fournaise volcano is featured, with an entire booth dedicated to it at the back of the garden.
Visitors can admire a fiber-glass model simulating the volcano’s activity, complete with smoke pumped through a hidden system. “There’s a pump inside, powered by a cable, that produces the smoke,” explains the booth manager, as a documentary plays gripping footage of the volcano’s 2007 eruption.
A tasting stand offers local delicacies, drawing a large crowd eager to treat their taste buds. Meanwhile, others prefer to relax, enjoying creole music and food served on trays.
Gift Exchanges and Promises Between Officials
And what about the officials? Of course, they didn’t forget their speeches, delivered from a platform nestled among the stands of the Réunion Village. Didier Robert was the first to speak.
Amid a few minor sound issues, he expressed his strong desire to “make tourism a key regional priority. Just because we’re 10,000 kilometers away doesn’t mean we don’t share the same passion for France as the mainland (with Christian Estrosi).”
The mayor of Le Tampon (Réunion) concluded his remarks by presenting a gift to his friend, the mayor of Nice – a small golden turtle. After the traditional thanks, the former Secretary of State for Overseas Territories (2007–2008) declared:
“Having our island recognized as a World Heritage Site is a major step in expanding Réunion’s international influence.”
Estrosi, in turn, made a promise:
“We’re going to create a House of Overseas Territories here in Nice. I want our Réunionnais citizens to help me dedicate time to this island 365 days a year.”
He closed his speech by gifting Didier Robert the medal of the city of Nice.
A clear sign that the long-standing friendship between Nice and Saint-Denis – twin cities for the past 50 years – is stronger than ever.
Source: Nice se met aux couleurs de la Réunion
