Flags, Symbol & Currency of Reunion
As an Overseas Territory of France, Reunion Islands uses the French National Flag as their official flag.
A Proposed flag for Réunion was created by the Vexillological Association of Réunion on March 1, 2003. This flag was designed by an engineer Guy Pignolet who named the flag as Lö Mahavéli, where the word 'mahavel' refers to 'the beautiful country' and 'veli' refers to 'the morning star'. The red color of the flag represents volcano and strength; the blue color symbolizes sky and sweetness and the yellow color represents the sun and clearness.
Symbols of Reunion
National Anthem
As an Overseas Collectivity of France, "La marseillaise" (which is the French National Anthem) is used as the national anthem of Reunion. The song - P'tite fleur aimée ("Little beloved flower") is considered to be an unofficial local anthem.
The Currency of Reunion is the Euro
The current official currency of Réunion is the euro. It has symbol €; code: EUR. The euro is divided into 100 cents and serves as the official currency of 19 member states of the European Union, France being one. Hence, Reunion, an overseas territory of France, also used the euro as its currency.
Euro Banknote
Euro Coin
Historical Currencies of Réunion
Before 1975, Réunion had its own franc which was distinct from that of France. In 1945, the CFA franc was created and was adopted in Réunion and distinct coins were introduced in 1948. After 1975, the French franc circulated in Réunion. Until 1999, the franc was the currency of Réunion. The Réunion franc was further subdivided into 100 centimes.
From 1873-1876, the Banque de la Réunion introduced notes for 5, 10, 25, 100 and 500 francs. The Colonial Treasury (Trésor Colonial) issued notes for 50 centimes, 1, 2 and 3 francs from 1884-1886. In 1944, The Banque de la Réunion ceased to issue notes.
The Institut d'Émission des Départements d'Outre-Mer took over The Banque de la Réunion in 1962, and issued paper money with notes for 100, 500, 1000 and 500 francs with either "La Réunion" or "Département de la Réunion" printed over it. The 500, 1000 and 5000 notes issued in 1960, were printed over with the new francs denominations.
Réunion franc
