Port Louis

Port-Louis, capital of the island is often compared to a small Singapore. The city is really quite noisy. The old stlyle houses mix with imposing buildings there. The beautiful colonial buildings seem lost among the old dilapidated buildings. In certain streets, one feels out of time or a come back at the time of the colonies.

Port-Louis counts today a residential population of 150.000 inhabitants and being the most important business centre, the city welcomes as many visitors and businessmen daily besides the locals who work there.

Most of the important companies have their head offices or at least a commercial or administrative antenna in Port Louis.

The city owes its development around its trade and fishing port which is a very active port, and one can't miss it once downtown.

On the sea front, one discovers the Caudan Waterfront, with important shopping malls and modern luxury shops for tourist attraction; the superb casino of Caudan, a beautiful realisation. The entrance of the casino has a pirate ship structure, the interior, all in wood, is beautyful and represents a ship of the XVIIIe century.

Caudan, built with on the site of the old docks respecting traditional architecture, with a key of modernism. Well a great success, for a country in full expansion.

The Chinese corner - (China town) of Port-Louis is worth visiting. The exiguous pavements of a cosmopolitan crowd during the day time, when one comes there to have lunch in the many small restaurants or for shopping purposes.

The old wooden houses of the XVIII-XIXth century, are becoming more and more rare. Fire has destroyed more than one. The others are replaced by new small buildings.

In the city, one finds the beautiful Jummah mosque, built in 1852

. The  mosque is reknown for its wooden main entrance door which is indeed very impressive. The pleasant patio inside is beautifully decorated.

Visitors are welcome at the mosque every mornings except Friday, the day of prayer.

Unfortunately, the Port-Louis markets originating from 1828 was destroyed following a fire in 1999. The market has been rebuilt and has still kept its folkloric character, yet it remains an important place in the life of the Mauritians and visitors, with its 300 fruit and vegetables traders, butchers and fishmongers. A place full of life… You will also be able to taste fabulous samoussas, experience the strong aroma of spice stall, buy special herbs and roots for all ailments; purchase souvenirs and local miscellaneous items, choose from a whole range of pareos and tee-shirts, beach towels of your choice (careful, as in all bazaars it is necessary to negotiate the price…)

The natural museum history, called Mauritius institute, is situated at walking distance from the Government House. One can find beautiful collection of stuffed or recontructed animals, where the Dodo imposes as the emblematic figure of the island, a kind of big bird which could not fly and with a rather unpleasant look. Today this animal has completely disappeared by the fault of man.

If you are an amateur of philately, a visit of the Postal Museum is essential. You will see there a wide collection of beautiful stamps, old plates and letter-boxes…
The most expensive and rarest stamps of the world were published in Mauritius in 1847. The “two pence deep blue” and the “orange red one penny” are worth a real fortune today!

The Champ de Mars, it is the hippodrome of Port Louis, built in 1812. The Mauritians' favourite spot for passionate horse racing patrons and punters.  The horse racing season starts in June and closes in November.  The racecourse is always crowdy with eager winners and supporters, and please of pickpockets among the large crowd.