Port Louis , the Capital of Mauritius, was founded by the French Governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais in 1735. Situated on the west coast, protected by a curve of mountains, big business and financial institutions rub shoulders with colourful markets, street hawkers, colonial buildings, shops, churches and mosques.
What to see?
Heritage
The main sites of interest of Port Louis are best appreciated if one follows an itinerary which leads to the many historical and cultural sites.
Places D’Armes : Historical Centre of the city, Place D’Armes links the port to the government house with a thorough esplanade lined by palm trees and cannons.
Statue of Mahe Labourdonnais: The statue of the French governor Mahe de Labourdonnais can be found at the entrance of Place D’Armes
Government House: Built in the time of the Governor Nicholas de Maupin ( 1729-1735)
Theatre of Port Louis: Built in the 19th Century, one of the oldest theatre in the region
Champ De Mars: Popular racetrack, oldest in the Southern Hemisphere.Horseracing
every Saturday or Sunday afternoons from March to December.
Citadel- Fort Adelaide: Situated on a hill overlooking the city and the harbour. Built in 1835 by the
British to watch out for potential riots in Port Louis before the abolition of slavery.Today, it hosts concerts and shows of both local and visiting artists from all over the world.
Aapravasi Ghat: A UNESCO World Heritage site that pays a special tribute to the thousands
of immigrants who came from India.
Brief Description
In the district of Port Louis, lies the 1,640 m2 site where the modern indentured labour diaspora began. In 1834, the British Government selected the island of Mauritius to be the first site for what it called ‘the great experiment’ in the use of ‘free’ labour to replace slaves. Between 1834 and 1920, almost half a million indentured labourers arrived from India at Aapravasi Ghat to work in the sugar plantations of Mauritius, or to be transferred to Reunion Island, Australia, southern and eastern Africa or the Caribbean. The buildings of Aapravasi Ghat are among the earliest explicit manifestations of what was to become a global economic system and one of the greatest migrations in history.
What to do?
Caudan Waterfront: If you go through Port Louis, you have to visit the Waterfront, one of the best shopping opportunities in Mauritius with a wide range of restaurants.
Shopping at the Caudan Waterfront includes famous international fashion brands and fine jewellery shops. At the Craft Market, you will discover local crafts as well as those of neighbouring countries. While strolling around, you may come across one of our localartists painting, sculpting
or singing. And you can also choose to get into one of those small boats from the marina for a harbour cruise.
Domaines Les Pailles: The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre , a joint venture between Mauritius and India has for goal the popularisation of science and technology among the young.
Special programmes and practical activities are regularly initiated to trigger interest in the scientific world.
Visitors can embark on a journey to the frontiers of modern technology, in such fields as medicine, biotechnology, textile or marine technology. All these are explained through a participatory approach and exhibitions which encourage hands-on activities.
Nightlife: The Caudan Waterfront also welcomes you at night for a stroll along the port, or diner at the various restaurants and food courts, as well as live entertainment almost every night.
Some pubs in the vicinity hold their ‘Happy Hour’ as from 18.00 - 21 00hr on Fridays. There is also the Caudan Waterfront Casino for those who want to try their luck at gambling.
