The département and région of Réunion is divided into 24 communes, the smallest administrative units in the French system. Each commune is a legal entity with an elected municipal council and a mayor who exercise local administration under the framework of France law. The communes range from dense urban centers to remote mountain villages, reflecting the island’s varied geography and settlement patterns.
Role and organisation
Communes serve as the primary level of local government. Councils are elected by residents (municipal elections are held on a regular cycle) and the mayor acts as both the commune’s chief executive and a representative of the state for certain civil functions. Communes have their own budgets, municipal services, and authority over local planning within national and regional rules.
Common responsibilities
- Local urban planning, permits and land use
- Management of primary schools and school facilities
- Civil registry duties (births, marriages, deaths)
- Local roads, sanitation and waste collection
- Cultural, social and sports services at the municipal level
History and development
The structure of communes in Réunion follows the French municipal model established after the Revolution and adapted over time. Decentralization reforms in the late 20th century strengthened local responsibilities and encouraged cooperation between communes. To carry out larger-scale services and infrastructure projects, Réunionese communes commonly join intercommunal bodies—public establishments that pool resources for transport, economic development, waste management and other shared needs.
Examples and notable facts
Among the communes, Saint-Denis serves as the departmental prefecture and is the island’s principal urban centre; Saint-Paul and Saint-Pierre are also important population and economic hubs, while others encompass highland plateaus, coastal towns or protected natural areas. Several communes include portions of volcanic landscapes and the Réunion National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. For a complete enumeration and basic data for each locality see the full list of communes.
Understanding the communes of Réunion helps explain local governance on the island, the delivery of everyday services, and how small municipal units cooperate to address regional challenges in a geographically diverse and ecologically sensitive territory.