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PLACES OF INTEREST:
Port Louis, the bustling capital, is a city of contrasts. Place
D'Armes is a wide boulevard with an avenue of stately Royal
palms and many statues. Impressive modern commercial buildings,
some like the State Bank Tower made of marble, stand adjacent to
the elegant Government House, whose entrance is dominated by a
statue of Queen Victoria. Low level Indian and Chinese shops in
their cobble stone streets cover a large part of the city. Here
is the colourful old market, bustling with life and vitality. On
the outskirts is the Citadel, a fort built by the British in
1840 from where you have a panoramic view of the city, dominated
by the Champ de Mars race course, nestling within the
surrounding mountains. |
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There are parks with huge banyan trees and fountains, a national
museum and reminders of the different cultures in the temples,
mosques, cathedrals, pagodas and shrines. The statue of Mahe de Labourdonnais, governor and
architect of the capital stands on his plinth overlooking the
busy port.
Balaclava Ruins
A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century
sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found
the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Visitors will be able to
see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by
Mahé de Labourdonnais.
Black River Gorges National Park
Protects much of the remaining native forests and provides
spectacular natural scenery and some of the unique endemic
plants and birdlife; number of walking trails and viewpoints |
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Caudan Waterfront
During the past years the Caudan Waterfront has become an
unavoidable route for those who wish to have a taste of the best
of Mauritius. Offering more than just rows of shops and
restaurants Caudan Waterfront also enables you to discover
Mauritian expertise in all fields, as you stroll around the
area. Fast food or gourmet cooking, jewellery and local crafts,
everything to suit all tastes.
CentralMarket.
The picturesque Port-Louis central market continues to be a
meeting point for Mauritians. Here you will find all the
ingredients that help to create the charm of Mauritius: local
crafts, vegetables, famous “dholl purris” as well as herbal tea
sellers. This market was built in 1844.
Chamarel
has a large undulating, dune-like area of coloured earth.
Believed to be of volcanic origin, the colours range from red
and purple to yellow. An impressive waterfall cascades into the
valley nearby.
Domaine du Chasseur
Nestling in the Anse Jonchée hills, the Domaine des Grand
Bois has splendid hunting grounds covering an area of 900
hectares. Stags, monkeys and boars live amidst the luxuriant
vegetation of the hillside. One can watch a few species of
endangered birds, including the kestrel. The Domaine contains
four thatched-roof bungalows and a restaurant with a panoramic
sea view.
Domaine les Pailles
Nestling in the Pailles Valley, Domaine les Pailles takes a
trip back in time through the history of Mauritius and offers a
unique culinary experience. This typical Mauritian estate
inflames your imagination with its harmonious combination of
history, culture and nature.
Royal College Curepipe
The Royal College of Curepipe is the most prestigious
educational institution of the island of Mauritius. Throughout
its proud history it has 'produced' many of the most important
personalities and leaders of this country.
Dutch Ruins
At Vieux Grand Port, the oldest settlements in Mauritius,
you can see the ruins of the first Dutch fortifications.
Excavation work is underway in a bid to uncover an important
part of Mauritian history.
Eureka Creole Mansion
is a grand reminder of an earlier era. Situated near Moka,
with a backdrop of the Ory Mountains, its decor and furnishings
have been carefully maintained in its original style, its upper
floor now a museum. Its well-kept gardens are a peaceful
sanctuary. Well worth a visit.
Flacq Market
Flacq is one of the most important villages in Mauritius. This
meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts the country’s
largest open air market. The extremely colourful market attracts
a large number of people.
Ganga Talao - Grand Bassin
Situated in the South West, this natural lake, originally an
extinct volcano is a shrine for the island's Hindus who make a
pilgrimage each year to celebrate Maha Shivaratree.
Grand Bay
was the first area of the island to fully experience the
tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also
happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want
a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). Recently
renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.
Ile aux Aigrettes, a small island off the south east coast. It
owes its name to a colony of egrets, now extinct, which
inhabited the island nearly four hundred years ago. Owing to the
remarkable work accomplished by the Mauritius Wildlife Fund, the
island has become an international standard for the protection
of natural resources and endangered species. A few of the
world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, can be seen there.
You can also discover the extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green
Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise.
Ile Aux Cerfs
is a half hour boat trip just off the east coast, a small island
with long beautiful beaches and pleasant walks.
L’Aventure du Sucre
Visit an interactive and ultra modern exhibition situated at
the heart of an ancient sugarmill and discover the fascinating
history of Mauritius and its sugarcane adventure exposed over
5000 sq meters! Then, let yourself be tempted by our tropical
boutik with its unique gifts, souvenirs and tasting of special
unrefined sugars as well as local rum. Do not miss the
opportunity to relish authentic Mauritian cuisine with refined
flavours at our restaurant "Le Fangourin".
Open 7 days a week from 09h00 to 18h00 - Free access to the
restaurant and the Village Boutik Beau Plan-Pamplemousses Tel:
243 06 60
Labourdonnais Orchards
Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful
and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on mountain bikes or hiking
are possible.
La Vanille Crocodile and Nature Reserve in the south
farms crocodiles imported from Madagascar. Originally from the
Nile, they can be seen in fenced areas in varying stages of
growth. A walk through the dense jungle-like vegetation reveals
other animals - monkeys, wild boar, deer and huge tortoises
believed to be about 150 years old.
Mahébourg
is one of the main fishing villages on the island. Built on
the magnificent Grand Port Bay it was founded in 1804.
Martello Towers
The Martello Towers represent the scene of the ancient
rivalry between old colonial powers and the ingenuity of mankind.
They are a milestone in the island’s history; they symbolise the
end of slavery and the beginning of Indian immigration.
Natural History Museum (The Mauritius Institute) situated
in the Jardin de la Compagnie in the centre of Port Louis
displays among the many specimens of bird life, the extinct dodo
and solitaire, as well as specimens of the island's flora, fauna
and marine life. It also houses a library of over 50,000 books.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden must be one of the most
impressive botanical gardens in the world. It has eighty species
of palms among its 600 different types of trees which include
ebony and mahogany, fruit trees, nutmeg and clove. Exotic shrubs
and lily ponds with their famous Victoria Regia water lilies
complete this scene of tranquillity.
Plaine Champagne and Black River Gorge the highest part
of the central plateau. This national park of 6,574 hectares was
created in 1994 for the protection of Mauritius’ remaining
native forests. Visitors can enjoy magnificent landscapes, with
endemic plants and rare bird species. A trail leads from the
Pétrin information centre to an area of typical plant life and
to a conservation area. A short walk from the road reveals the
huge gorge surrounded by the Macchabee forest. Waterfalls
cascade from the heights into the gorge below.
Pereybère
The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of
its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.
Rodrigues
Island about 560km east of Mauritius where you can be
charmed by locals' easy way of life; the nature lover will find
several species of endemic tropical fauna and flora and can
enjoy hiking, bird watching, angling and mountain biking; visits
to the Caverne Patate and surrounding islets e.g. Ile aux Cocos
(a haven to some rare species of sea birds) can be arranged
Salt Pans
Owing to the exceptional high level of sunshine the district
receives, Tamarin is naturally the heart of salt production in
Mauritius.
Souillac and Gris-Gris
A small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne
district. A famous feature is the garden overlooking the sea and
named after Dr. Charles Telfair. A popular viewpoint is found at
the southern end of the village, right on the cliff top: Gris
Gris.
Triolet Shivala
The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an
opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath,
first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna,
Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.
Trou aux Cerfs
situated above Curepipe is the crater of an extinct volcano,
85 metres deep by 200 metres wide, noted for its panoramic view
of the central plain.
Yemen Reserve
may not be the largest game reserve on the island, but there
is a lot to see. You will be able to get close to the herds of
deer, as well as admire some splendid species of Mauritian fauna.
A few rustic kiosks available in the reserve provide an
unobstructed view of the sea. There you can sip a local punch
while watching the sun going down.
Waterpark Leisure Village
Enjoy unforgettable moments sliding on the giant chutes,
with family or friends.
Situated on Coastal road, Belle Mare - Tel: (230) 415-2626 |
