Places to visit in Mauritius
There are a number of places to visit during your stay on the island. Apart from the many beach resorts with their sandy white beaches and blue lagoon, there are other <greener> sites that you might find interesting. The Black River Gorges, Macabee Forest and Yemen are regions, which you might discover on foot or by car. Trou aux Cerfs (an extinct volcanic crater), Chamarel (with its 7 coloured earth), Ile aux Aigrettes (an island of the South East Coast which is a natural reserve) are among the many sites you can experience during your stay in Mauritius.
There are also a number of museums, fortifications, churches, galleries, colonial houses that are opened to the public. These places are a heritage of our rich colonial culture and history. Moreover religious festivals, especially Indian festivals are very colourful. This is a good way to experience Eastern culture without stepping out of Mauritius.
Main towns & villages.
Port Louis
Mauritius mosuem of port louisPort-Louis, the administrative and financial capital of Mauritius is situated in the North West of the Island. It is the only commercial port of the island. Founded by Mahé de Labourdonais, it was preferred to Grand Port (South East), because of its geographic location. Protected by a range of mountains on one side and bordered by a calm bay on the other, it was the ideal spot to build a city that could be easily defended if attacked. Mahébourg in the south and Port-Louis are the only historic and colonial towns. Fortifications like Fort Adelaide or La Citadelle as it is commonly known is a great view point to see the whole of Port-Louis. Built by the British in 1835, it is now a venue for shows and concerts. The Central Market is a must-stop for tourist. Our closest comparison to a souk, the central market is a place where you can buy handy crafts as well as eat a dholl puri and have a drink. But you can also buy clothes, fruits and vegetables, spices and even medical plants used by locals to cure every possible ailment.
Champ de Mars is another place to visit especially during the racing season (May to December). It is the oldest race course (1812) in the Indian Ocean and the second oldest in the southern Hemisphere. It is at the centre of all life during weekends when races are held and a thrilling experience to live.
Mauritius post office in port louisOther witnesses of the colonial past of Port-Louis are its old colonial buildings, its paved roads, the National History Museum, the Government House and the Port-Louis Theatre constructed in 1822. Port-Louis should also be visited for its cathedrals, temples, pagodas and mosques a reflection of the diversity of the island and of Port Louis. More recently built, The Caudan and Port Louis Waterfront shelter a number of restaurants, cafés, bars, cinemas, duty-free shop, craft shops, and a casino. There is also Chinatown, a small village within the city, with its numerous restaurants, shops and other small businesses which immediately transports you to the Far East. Many streets in Port Louis also specialise in the sale of only one type of product. The shops of La Corderie and Desforges Street , for example, sell almost exclusively cloth and fabrics.
But the best way to know Port-Louis is still to walk around the city and see for yourself.
Grand Bay
Formerly a small fishing village on the Northern coast, Grand Bay is nowadays the most famous seaside resort of the island. Surrounded by an emerald green lagoon, Grand Bay has many luxurious hotels. The village has all the essential services like supermarkets, pharmacies, doctors, post office and police station. Moreover, a great number of restaurants, bars and nightclubs can be found in the area. Shopping is also a real threat with its clothing stores, jewellery shops. Grand Bay is also the place to be if you want to practice water sports and scuba diving. And if you want to explore the coral reefs and the lagoons, there are the glass bottom boats and you can even go for an undersea walk among the fishes if you feel brave enough.
he main attraction in this region of Mauritius is Ile aux Cerfs. A small island, 10 minutes by boat from the small fishing village of Trou d'eau Douce and is managed by the Touessrok Hotel. It has a bar and restaurant and shops selling beachwear, jewellery and craft products. Water sports like skiing and parasailing can be practiced there. But the main attraction of the island is its virgin white beaches and emerald waters where people can do what everyone does there all year round: enjoy the sun. Recently a water park was also opened at Belle Mare situated some 10 minutes away from Trou D'eau Douce.
Centre de Flacq is the biggest village on the Eastern coast. It has everything that can be expected from a small modern town; a police station, district court, fire brigade, hospital, shopping arcades, supermarkets, and schools. It is also the place where just about everything can be found, from jewellery to handicraft at the cheapest prices. It is also only 15 minutes from Belle Mare public beach and some of the best hotels of the island. The Saint Géran, Coco Beach, Belle Mare Plage Hotel, Ambre Hotel, The Residence, Price Maurice and the Touessrok are found only a few minutes away from the village centre.
Moreover, at a quarter of an hour from Centre de Flacq towards the centre of the island, one can visit Fuel Sugar Estate upon request. This is the biggest sugar factory of the island and it also produces energy from bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane. Anyone interested in knowing more on how sugar cane is made can contact the tour operators of that region, which regularly organise guided tours.
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