Photo: Simisa (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mauritius
Port Louis
The capital between harbour and mountains
City · Mauritius
Discover Port Louis
Port Louis is the capital, main port and financial centre of Mauritius, home to about 140,000 people and backed by green mountains. The French made it their seat of government in 1736 and named it after King Louis XV; colonial buildings still stand among the towers.
At the Central Market, fruit, spices and herbs are piled side by side, and most of the street food is halal. Nearby on Royal Street stands the Jummah Mosque, with its white and green façade and carved wooden door, a blend of Indian, Creole and Islamic styles. The Natural History Museum has a gallery devoted to the dodo, the island's extinct emblem.
On the waterfront is the Aapravasi Ghat, a World Heritage site since 2006, through which nearly half a million Indian indentured labourers passed between 1849 and 1923. Next to it, Le Caudan Waterfront has shops, restaurants and the Blue Penny Museum of rare stamps.
The city also has the Champ de Mars, the second-oldest racecourse in the world (1812), Fort Adelaide above the harbour, and Chinatown. We suggest a day in Port Louis with a private guide, paired with the Pamplemousses garden to the north.
Experiences
What to do here
ShoppingRiche Terre MallA shopping destination just north of Port Louis, with more than 60 shops and food stalls.
ShoppingPort Louis WaterfrontA modern waterfront of shops, restaurants, entertainment and culture, close to the Aapravasi Ghat.
LandmarkLe Caudan WaterfrontA waterfront of shopping and culture, with local boutiques, a food court, a cinema and local arts and crafts.
Mauritius
