Visit to the City of Port Louis

Port Louis: A Cultural Melting Pot

Rich in history and cultural heritage, the city awaits with open arms, ready to enchant you with its warmth (quite literally) and hospitality!

The city of Port Louis was established by French Governor Mahe de Labourdonnais in 1735, hence the numerous French-style buildings.

Beyond its role as an economic powerhouse, it proudly preserves numerous historic sites and colonial edifices, bearing witness to its past.

Today, it draws visitors from far and wide to explore its cultural treasures and architectural marvels.

Tip: Opt for lightweight clothing and be sure to pack your sunscreen, hat, and water to stay hydrated, as Port-Louis can get extremely hot, even during the winter months!

Sightseeing and Things to do in Port Louis

• Caudan Waterfront - Offers exciting shopping and entertainment venues intermingled with excellent hotels and restaurants overlooking the Port Louis Harbour.

• Port Louis Market - The Port Louis Main Market (also known as the Port Louis Main Bazaar) is a treat with its exotic fruit & vegetables, clothing, wooden & traditional handicraft products, local jewellery and souvenirs at very low prices.

• Fort Adelaide (also known as La Citadelle) - Located on the higher lands of Port Louis, this fortress was built in fear of a civil war from the remaining French settlers on the island. Fort Adelaide offers a vast panorama of Port Louis and its harbour.

• Chinatown - Located at the very heart of the city, this area is filled with shops selling several Chinese and Far East goods.

• Champ de Mars - Popular among the Mauritian horse racing fans, the club was founded by the first British Governor, Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar on 25 June 1812 and was inaugurated by the Mauritius Turf Club - making it the oldest horseracing club in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Natural History museum - The museum is recognized as the oldest museum in Mauritius, allowing you to witness the past 500 years of our natural history. It displays a huge collection of natural science exhibits, including the reconstruction of the world-famous dodo.

• Marie Reine de la Paix - This is a modern chapel consisting of a 26 ft. statue of the Virgin Mary on a platform with an altitude of 175 ft. The views are simply breathtaking and you have to climb 7 terraces and 82 rock-cut steps to reach the monument.

• Aapravasi Ghat - The place where the Indian labourers landed and which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Good to Know:

• Port louis is home to Anglican and Catholic cathedrals as well as one of the oldest mosques in Mauritius.
• The biggest and oldest post office in Mauritius can also be found in Port Louis, near the Caudan Waterfront.
• Port Louis boasts a delightful array of Mauritian street food from the iconic dholl puris and faratas to fiery chilli cakes