Port Louis (Mauritius)
According to babyinger, Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius and its main port. The city was founded in 1735 by the French on the northeast coast of the island of Mauritius. On one side of the city lies a picturesque bay, and on the other, mountains rise.
There are 4 forts in Port Louis, which were left behind by the European colonialists. The most popular and better preserved of these is Fort Adelaide . It was built by the British in 1835. Nowadays, colorful performances are held here and it is used as an observation deck.
The center of Port Louis is Place des Arms, which is surrounded by rows of palm trees. Here are the main buildings of the city, which were built in the colonial style. it Government Palace (1738), Houses of Parliament, City Theater (1822), Catholic and Protestant churches and the National Museum.
The city also has an interesting Muslim quarter on Muammar El Hadafi Square and Chinatown on Royal Street. Chinatown is home to the Jumma Mosque, which was built in the late 19th century, and the Pagoda. Be sure to go to the City Market, where you can find a wide variety of souvenirs, as well as exotic fruits and vegetables. Next to the market is the Natural History Museum., where a stuffed animal of the strangest representative of the pigeon species is exhibited – the dodo, which was exterminated by man in the 17th century.
In the northeast of the city is the tomb of Per Laval, who converted about 100,000 Mauritians to Catholicism. At the top of the tomb is a painted plaster statue of him. Pilgrims believe that this statue has a certain power and come here to touch it.
In Port Louis, you can stroll along the promenade, along which there are many restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas, shops and casinos. It is worth noting that Port Louis is one of the best places on the island for shopping, as there are many duty-free shops here. The center of the nightlife of the city is considered to be located nearby Le Caudan area.
In the vicinity of Port Louis, it is worth visiting the Domaine le Paille cultural center, where the life of the first colonists is reconstructed. It covers an area of 12 sq. km. There is an old sugar factory, an old water treatment plant and an 18th century train, all preserved in their original form. Also in this place you can go horseback riding, you can get acquainted with the technology of rum production and visit the spicy gardens. 11 km northeast of Port Louis in the village of Pamplemousses are the Botanical Gardens with an incredible collection of exotic and rare plants. Also between the city of Point-au-Piments and Trou-aux-Beach is the Aquarium which holds 1 million liters of water. It features over 200 species of native fish, corals, sponges and invertebrates.
Port Louis is surrounded by numerous beaches. The most popular resorts are located north of the city.
Mahebourg (Mauritius)
Mahébourg is the island’s second most important port after Port Louis. It is located on the southeast coast of Mauritius. In the days when the French lived here, Maheburg was the capital of the island.
The Lion Mountain rises above the city bay, the outlines of which really resemble this animal. In Mahebourg, the Museum of the History of the Navy, the building of which was built back in 1771, and the Notre Dame des Ange church are of interest. Not far from the city, the ruins of ancient European fortifications have been preserved, for example, the remaining ruins of the Dutch fort Frederik Hendrick. From Maheburg you can go to the Crocodile Park, where the Nile crocodiles live, and the largest sugar factory on the island.
To the east of Maheburg in the direction of Blue Bay, seaside resorts with sandy beaches stretch, where you can not only sunbathe and swim, but also windsurf, especially in winter (June-August), when the wind intensifies.
Not far from Mahebourg is the Belle Mare lagoon, which is not only a popular beach resort, but also a popular place among divers. When diving here, you can see sharks, barracudas, kingfish, rays and tuna.
Port Mathurin, Rodrigues Island (Mauritius)
Port Mathurin is the capital of the island of Rodrigues. It is located 560 km east of Mauritius. It is a volcanic island 18 km long and 8 km wide. Port Mathurin is the only port city in Rodrigues. There is almost no transport here, the houses are built in the old style and painted in bright colors. Although this is the capital of the island, it is still very quiet and calm here. From here you can go to the most popular beach of the island – Coton, to Grand Bay, to the deserted beach of Gravier, to Lemon Mountain (393 m), which, together with Mount Malartic, provides excellent opportunities for hiking, and to Ile Cocos.
Ile Cocos is located 4 km west of Rodrigues. Its dimensions are 1500 by 250 m. The island is a nature reserve where many birds live, including rare white terns and mandarin birds. Ile Cocos is also a popular diving destination, as the coral reefs surrounding it are protected by the state and are in excellent condition.
