The Port is Réunion's primary industrial port. First and foremost, it serves as the arrival point for goods from abroad. Beyond its economic importance, this thriving city diversifies its appeal with historic buildings, cultural venues and sports facilities.

History

The Port resulted from local leaders' investment efforts to provide Réunion with a quality, operational port infrastructure. Construction began in the 1880s and took seven years to complete. The project attracted thousands of immigrant workers from across the island and the broader Mascarene Islands. Faced with this massive influx of workers, the municipality struggled to provide adequate housing. Workers settled in precarious conditions—tin-roofed shacks and thatched huts. This human concentration in what amounted to slums sparked numerous epidemics.

In 1895, The Port was declared a municipality in its own right. As home to a large working-class community, the city witnessed its first strikes and labour movements beginning in 1937. Over time, the labour struggle gained such momentum that in 1971, municipal leadership passed to the Communist Party led by Paul Vergès.

Today

Located at the far western tip of the island, The Port stands as Réunion's smallest municipality. Situated 18 km from Saint-Denis, bordered to the north by La Possession and to the south by Saint-Paul, the municipality covers just 1,660 hectares. From the port's construction to the establishment of a railway terminal and various workshops, the city has developed as Réunion's first industrial hub. It remains the cradle of labour unionism, embodying a remarkable tradition of working-class struggle.

As the municipality grew, so did the port itself, becoming a key stop in the south-western Indian Ocean and a vital economic asset for Réunion. Numerous industrial facilities and wholesale trading warehouses have settled in the region. The municipality has also established a maritime apprenticeship school and a higher art school. Moreover, The Port is home to Réunion's only architecture school, as well as an Institute of Image that trains students in video game production and animation.

Culture has always been a priority for the municipality. Throughout the year, numerous cultural events animate the area: live performances, visual arts exhibitions, film screenings, theatre under the trees, public readings promoting Creole language, and more.

For active holidays, the municipality offers tourists a range of sports facilities. Cycling enthusiasts have access to 20 km of dedicated bike routes, while those keen on air sports can enjoy a prime location for paramotoring. The municipality also features jogging paths, fitness trails, BMX circuits, athletics grounds, fitness rooms, a gymnasium, tennis courts, archery ranges, multi-sport fields, and more.

The Port also boasts several historic buildings worth visiting. Among them is the former headquarters of the Réunion Railway and Port Company. These residences, founded when Pointe des Galets port was established, housed administrative personnel. The buildings have been carefully restored to their original character. You can then stroll through the Place des Cheminots, where visitors enjoy relaxing in the shade of towering trees. The leafy canopy of a Neem tree provides pleasant natural shade.

Climate

The Port enjoys a savanna climate with dry winters (Köppen-Geiger classification Aw). Rainfall is considerably higher in summer than winter, averaging 1,626.7 mm annually. Year-round, the municipality experiences an average temperature of 24.1°C.

The Port is connected to Saint-Denis by the coastal road. The city is also served by roads RN4 (The Port - Customs - Port Réunion East) and RN1001 (La Possession - The Port).

Given its small size, The Port is perfectly manageable by bicycle or motorcycle. Bus services, taxis and car rentals are available if you prefer not to navigate on two wheels.

What to do at The Port?

• Visit historic buildings such as the former headquarters of the Réunion Railway and Port Company
• Stroll through Place des Cheminots
• Try your hand at paramotoring
• Cycle around the area, and more