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PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS – Mauritius’ diversity and multi-ethnicity have always attracted travelers from both East and West, and you can discover its beauty by immersing yourself in its history. Mauritius is called the “island of rum” due to its history of high-quality rum production, which is now expanding to include both traditional molasses-based and agricultural styles. The island’s volcanic soil and tropical climate are ideal for growing sugarcane, which is the primary ingredient, leading to a diverse range of rums with distinct flavors like caramel, vanilla, and tropical fruits.
To understand Mauritius, it’s crucial to know its history of volcanic birth, a period of European colonization with periods of abandonment, and its post-independence multicultural development rooted in a history of slavery and indentured labor.
History of Mauritius
There are several theories about who first discovered Mauritius, one of which suggests it was the Arabs, but there is no concrete evidence for this. Most historians agree that the first European explorers to visit Mauritius were the Portuguese in the 16th century, but they did not stay.
Official discovery of Mauritius
The Dutch were one of the European powers that attempted to establish control over Mauritius in the 17th century. In 1598, Dutch explorer Cornelis van Neck visited the island and named it Nassau in honor of the Dutch prince of Mauritius.
French Cultural Influence
Dutch control of Mauritius was unsuccessful, and after several decades, the Dutch decided to abandon the island. In 1715, the French East India Company took control of the island and began developing the economy, including the production of sugar, coffee, cotton, and indigo. The French brought African slaves, who were forced to work on sugarcane plantations.
French culture and legacies remain visible in Mauritius today, including the French language, architecture, cuisine and other aspects of culture.
British colonial administration in Mauritius
In 1810, the British occupied Mauritius and after several years of occupation, they became the new colonial power on the island. The British colonial administration soon began to modernize the economy, especially the production of sugar cane, and develop the island’s infrastructure.
Independence of Mauritius
During World War II, Mauritius was an important strategic point for British forces in the fight against Japan and its navy. After the war, it was granted autonomy and in 1968 it became an independent state within the Commonwealth.
Arriving in Mauritius
To arrive in Mauritius, you will need a valid passport, a return or direct ticket, and proof of accommodation. Before your arrival, we recommend completing the online “Mauritius All-in-One Travel Form” to save time, as it includes passport, flight, and accommodation information.
The easiest way to get to Mauritius is Turkish Airlines flights via Istanbul. Arrival airport is in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, and at the same time its largest city, as well as an important port and commercial center.
Port Louis
Located on the northwest coast of the island, it is home to approximately 150,000 inhabitants, a charming mix of all the settlers who arrived on this beautiful island.
Port Louis is a truly cosmopolitan city, a melting pot of different cultures and traditions. This is evident not only in its cuisine, but also in its architecture, music and the Mauritian people. As you stroll through the city, you will see many buildings that bear the most striking traces of the British, the island’s last rulers before independence.
Highlights of Mauritius
Near the capital’s center are several 18th-century French colonial buildings, including Government House. Other recognizable buildings include the Jummah Mosque, the magnificent English Cathedral of St. James, an Indian Tamil temple, an elegant colonial theater, and the adjacent Chinese Pagoda.
Among the most famous are the Old Fort (Fort Adelaide), built in the 19th century to protect the city from slave rebellions, and the Caudan Waterfront shopping and entertainment center, located on the harbor.
Caudan Waterfront
Caudan is home to several restaurants, cafes, shops, theatres, a casino and the Blue Penny Museum, which tells the story of Mauritius’ rich history. A stroll through this part of the city is reminiscent of any European, Asian or American Metropolis: you are surrounded by modern buildings, numerous shops and restaurants.
Having dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants while watching the traffic in the port is a special experience. Yachts, sailboats, cargo ships and small boats – all intertwine in the familiar rhythm that our hosts experience every day and that we find so breathtaking.
Chinatown
The pagoda is the centerpiece of Chinatown in Port Louis, one of the few Chinatowns in Africa. At the entrance to Chinatown, you’ll see the traditional “Friendship Door,” located east of the central market. Chinatown is now home to a diverse community of settlers, descendants of the first Chinese who arrived here in 1826. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce hosts a popular gastronomic and cultural festival every April or May.
Aapravasi Ghat
One of Mauritius’ main attractions is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aapravasi Ghat. This site served as Mauritius’ main hub for importing labor in the 19th century, as the demand for labor on the sugarcane plantations grew. Workers came from India, China, and other countries, and many stayed and created ethnic communities that influenced Mauritius’ development.
Take a stroll to Fort Adelaide, a 19th-century fort on a hill near the city center that offers incredible views of the city and harbor. Don’t miss the Champ de Mars horse races, held at the old racecourse, one of the oldest in the world.
The Dodo Bird
The dodo once inhabited this area, and today it is the national symbol of Mauritius. However, since it could not fly and walked only on the ground, it was easy prey, and was hunted to extinction by colonists searching for food in the late 17th century.
The dodo briefly “came to life” in Alice in Wonderland, and as science advances, we are told that it may soon be revived from its fossilized remains. Until then, we will only see it in pictures and buy souvenirs of its likeness, pendants, magnetic tiles, and wooden or plush toys bearing its image as a memento of Mauritius.
Parks as the lungs of the City
Port Louis boasts several parks, such as the Company Garden in the heart of the city and the nearby Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, which are perfect for rest, relaxation and recuperation after the heat of the day. Jardin Park is particularly popular with tourists and local retirees who sit here and discuss their daily routines. The park’s surroundings are adorned with centuries-old banyan trees, from which hundreds of large, harmless bats swing carefree.
Pamplemousse Garden
Visit the Pamplemousses Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, covering 33 hectares. The garden’s history dates back to the period of French rule on the island, when the French governor, Monsieur de Labourdonnais, decided to establish a settlement around the garden’s current main entrance. In 1767, the French intendant, Pierre Poivre, introduced vegetables, fruits, and flowers from around the world. Among these plants were some of the most prized species of the time: nutmeg and cloves from Malacca, which can still be found in the garden’s spice corner.
Food in Mauritius
Creole, Chinese or Indian….
Mauritian cuisine is diverse and rich in flavor. Some of the most famous dishes include: dholl puri (a flatbread filled with beans), samosa (small filled pastries), gato piman (spicy flatbread with spring onions), curries, roti (a type of pancake, but much firmer) and biryani, inspired by Indian cuisine. French, Chinese and Creole cuisine can also be found here, and street food is extremely popular with the locals. Ask a Port Louis resident what they’re having for lunch today.Most likely, the solution will be a Chinese or Indian dish cooked with paws.
Main market
Any gastronomic tour of the city ends at the local market. The abundance of fish, fruits, and vegetables is of interest not only to locals but also to tourists. At the market, you can buy the langan fruit, spices, souvenirs, and pickled fruits and vegetables. A special local delicacy is pickled mango.
The ground floor of the market sells clothing and jewelry, so if you’re looking for something richly colored and made of high-quality cotton at a low price, this is the place to go.
Mauritius surrounding
Mauritius is surrounded by smaller islets and has other outer islands as part of the country. Such islands are the uninhabited Ilee aux Cerfs and Ile aux Aigrettes, as well as the populated islands of Rodrigues, Agalega and St. Brandon.
Crystal Rock
Crystal Rock Mauritius’s distinctive natural sight is a coral outcrop in the southwest lagoon near Île aux Bénitiers. It is accessible by boat and is known for its scenic beauty. Famous for the Le Morne Brabant mountain in the background, clear turquoise waters, and abundant marine life. The reason for several boat tours that include snorkeling, lunch, and lagoon views.
Ile aux Cerfs
This magnificent island stretches across 87 hectares of pristine land on the east coast of Mauritius. A long stretch of white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and a multitude of restaurants, water sports, and other activities. It is also home to one of the world’s finest golf courses, the Île aux Cerfs Golf Club. It is an 18-hole course designed by Bernhard Langer, a two-time Masters champion.
Accommodation on Ile aux Cerfs
The advantage of the island is that there are no large hotels. The only exclusive accommodation in one of three bubble houses. Staying in one of these is a unique and exclusive experience. In the evening, when the excursion boats depart from the island, you have almost complete privacy.
Island Bars and Restaurants
On the island, you can refresh yourself in several bars and restaurants. Sands Bar offers famous cocktails with local rum and tropical juices made from fresh local fruit. You will also like the elegant Club House restaurant. Built on the highest point of the island, Langer’s Bar & Grills offers a wonderful view of the golf club. We offer a variety of local and international dishes. Right next to the golf course is La Flibuste, where you can enjoy a juicy seafood lunch with personalized butler service on the beach.
Our favorite Mauritius Tour
Museum of sugar
One of the biggest attractions in Mauritius is the Sugar Museum. It is located in Beau Plan, not far from the capital city of Port Louis, in a former sugar factory that started operating in 1850 and worked until 1970. In addition to an interactive display of the process of sugar and sugar cane production in Mauritius, the exhibition also shows the role of the sugar industry in the slave trade and the island’s colonial history. After visiting the museum, visitors can taste different types of sugar that are produced on the island.
Ever since the Dutch set foot on its shores and planted sugar cane on the island, the sugar industry has been a big part of Mauritius’ history. At L’Aventure du Sucre, you will learn all about the sugar production process from cane grinding to sugar molasses distillation and see the different tools and equipment used by workers in sugar production.
Through the museum exhibition you will learn more about all its colonialists who recognized sugar as white gold. Sugar production had a profound influence on the island’s history and social relations, placing factory workers at the top of the social hierarchy.
In addition to visiting L’Aventure du Sucre, you can also visit the Village boutique to buy gifts and souvenirs and the restaurant Le Fangourin, where you can enjoy subtle Mauritian cuisine.
La Chateau Labourdonnais Palace
A beautiful park with as many as 26 types of mangoes will welcome you to the beautiful colonial palace, the construction of which began in 1856 and was completed three years later.
Colonial Architecture Palace
The inhabitants of the island consider this house to be the most beautiful example of colonial architecture in Mauritius. And rightly so! With its huge dining room, incredible pantry, large living room, elegant bedrooms and large exhibition hall, this palace is truly a magical place.
Restoration of the Palace
La Chateau de Labourdonnais underwent a thorough renovation in 2006 to restore the palace to its former glory. The renovation was led by Claude Fauque, a famous French musicologist, and Alexandre Fruh, a famous French set designer, who breathed new life into it and transformed it into a place visited by hundreds of tourists daily.
Palace Rum Destilery
The tour includes a visit to the Rhumerie des Mascareignes rum distillery, built in 2006, and a tour of traditional rum production techniques. The tour of La Château de Labourdonnais concludes with a tasting of rum and other local products, such as fruit pastes, juices, and sorbets. You can purchase local products and souvenirs and relax in the elegant La Table du Château restaurant, serving local cuisine.
If you have not had the opportunity to see how nutmeg, vanilla or cloves grow, walk through the small botanical garden located next to the restaurant. There you will also be able to see large tortoises grazing peacefully, not paying too much attention to the numerous tourists.
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