Port-Louis is the capital and the main port of Mauritius. It was founded by the French governor François Mahé of Bourdonnais in 1735. Its roads extend to the foot of the mountains which protect it by circling around it like a bow. It is a multicultural city where cathedrals, mosques, Hindu temples and pagodas stand harmoniously one next to the other.
The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, at 11 km in the north of the capital, it is well known by all the famous botanists around the world. The garden is named after the citrus fruit introduced on the island by the Dutch. An important collection of indigenous and exotics plants are grown there, like the giant water lilies Victoria Amazonica, two hundred species of palm trees, gilded bamboos, raffia, a two hundred years old banyan, a talipot and a huge variety of spices , arouse the curiosity of many people from all over the world. The talipot palm tree is of a particular interest: it blossoms once every sixty years just before dyeing.
The Eureka, a Creole house built on a natural reserve in 1864. One of the most beautiful residences of the colonial time situated at Moka. It has more than one hundred doors and windows and splendid furniture from the last century.
Chamarel seven colour earths is accessible by a sinuous road starting from Case Noyale. It consists of a hill and undulations of ground with contrast colours in the tonalities of blue, green, red and yellow and it is formed by volcanic ashes containing mineral oxides. The nearby Chamarel - emerging from the moor - and the natural vegetation are of a surprising beauty.
To travel back on time, visit - on the heights of Mahébourg - the Rault biscuit factory founded in 1870 where cassava biscuits are still made according to the old family recipes.
In the south of the island, close to Rivière des Anguilles, between bamboos, palm trees and banana trees, you will have the joy to discover La Vanille, Réserve des Mascareignes and its exuberant fauna. The breeding of crocodiles, the giant tortoises in liberty and the collections of butterflies will charm both the young and the adults.
Located within the splendid framework of Black River, on a surface of 25 hectares, Casela, Nature & Leisure Park shelters more than 1 500 birds of 140 species. Birds from five continents are found here, but the main attraction is the ‘Pigeon des Mares’ (Pink Pigeon), one of the rarest birds in the world.
Fish ponds, tortoises, monkeys, pheasants, leopards, the tigers of Bengal and the ostriches are other attractions of this place.
Domaine Les Pailles, only at ten minutes south of Port-Louis. A colonial domain was rebuilt at the foot of a mountain range in a natural reserve of 1500 hectares. Horse carriages or trips on the small train are organised. You will discover the secrets of the artisan distillation of rum. Drive in 4x4 among the stags in liberty, rare monkeys and birds.
Trou aux Cerfs, located on the heights of Curepipe, is the crater of an extinct volcano. The crater is 85 meters in depth and 180 meters in length. From the top of the crater you can have a wide view of the island. |
La Plantation 
