Do you want to discover the past and present of Mauritius by visiting only one city in this island nation? If so, start by reading this brief guide to Port Louis, where Mauritius showcases its ancient treasures in harmony with modernity.
From a colony to a huge city
The history of Port Louis dates back to the 18th century, when Mauritius was conquered by the French. The French settlers named the region the Northwest Port, which was later renamed Port Louis in honor of King Louis XV.
Port Louis was well protected from strong winds by the Moka mountain range, which is why it was chosen as the main harbor and fort on the island. The city grew and changed over time, eventually becoming the main naval base and commercial center of Mauritius.
Today, Port Louis is the capital, economic center, and largest city of the island nation of Mauritius. With its free trade zone and large harbor, Port Louis has become a hub for traders, banks, and businesses. The capital is home to numerous large enterprises, and many Mauritians from the suburbs and surrounding villages commute daily to work in the city. With a population of over 200,000, Port Louis is the busiest city on the island.
With its heavy traffic, high humidity, and extreme heat, this city may not be the perfect place to live or visit, but it is definitely worth exploring to gain a deeper understanding of Mauritian culture and its attractions.
Tip! There are too many concrete surfaces in Port Louis, so the air is hot during the day. The best time to explore the capital is in the morning, when it’s not as hot.
The past and present of Mauritius, united in its capital city of Port Louis, is unique, beautiful, and interesting. This city harmoniously combines ancient basalt buildings, which the French and British left as a legacy of their colonization, with modern skyscrapers that showcase Mauritius’s rapid development as one of the fastest-growing countries in Africa.
What to see and do in Port Louis
What attractions in Port Louis can attract tourists, and what places in the capital of Mauritius are worth visiting?
Shopping and entertainment complex on the Le Caudan Waterfront
Le Caudan Promenade is the most modern area of the city, created especially for tourists. It is in this place of the capital that 24-hour restaurants and cafes are concentrated, there is a casino, a cinema and a carousel for children, as well as expensive hotels. Once Le Caudan was the first large shopping center in Mauritius, and now it is considered a cult place for shopping: there are both boutiques with fashionable things and Craft Market with products of local masters of art and craftsmen. Craft Market is the perfect, and perhaps the only, place on the island to buy some truly authentic souvenirs.
The square in front of Le Codan is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Port Louis for taking photos. This area is decorated in a rather unusual way: several dozen colorful umbrellas are hung above it, which not only protect from the scorching sun, but also serve as an original backdrop for photos.
In the evenings, when the streetlights come on, performers come out onto the embankment and entertain the public.
One of the main attractions in Le Codan is the famous Blue Penny Museum.
Blue Penny Museum (Blue Mauritius Museum)
The Blue Mauritius Museum or the Postal Museum in Port Louis will be of interest to many, but primarily to philatelists. It was opened in the fall of 2011 and is named after the legendary Blue stamp, one of the two “Post Office” stamps that Joseph Osmond Barnard engraved for the Mauritius Post Office in 1847. Experts estimate the value of this stamp at 1.2 million euros.
The museum’s tour begins on the second floor, which is dedicated to the Blue Mark and the history of the island’s colonization. Among the exhibits is a rich collection of ship models from various periods.
The ground floor exhibits are dedicated to the history of the postal service in Mauritius. There are rich collections of old nautical charts, paintings, sculptures and stamps that will allow you to get to know the history and culture of the island better.
The route ends at a souvenir shop, where you can purchase really good albums, posters, historical engravings, and many other interesting items.
The original Blue Mark, behind armored glass, is shown to visitors only 2-3 times a day for 30 minutes – the illumination is not turned on for longer to ensure the safety of the relic. When the original is darkened, a 1911 replica is exhibited.
Important! The exact time of the display of the original legendary stamp can be found at the ticket office of the Postal Museum.
Visitors to the museum can use audio guides in English, French, German, Italian, and Creole.
- This attraction in Port Louis is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The last admission is at 4:30 p.m.
- Admission is 150 rupees per person.
Underwater waterfall in Mauritius – a natural wonder or a trick of the eye
Central Market
The central market in the capital of Mauritius is a place where you can buy almost anything, from spices to loose-fitting clothes. It is located opposite the Le Codeant promenade.
According to tourists who have visited the market, it is only worth going there for the wide selection of vegetables and fruits, which are more expensive than in any other part of the city.
All other goods are Chinese cheapies or products from Madagascar. “Tourist souvenirs” – things made of crocodile skin, straw wicker baskets, wood crafts – all this is brought from Madagascar.
In general, if you need to buy something and have the desire to bargain, then the Central Market is worth visiting. However, there is no point in considering it as one of the capital’s attractions or a place for a walk. Moreover, the market is incredibly dirty.
Important! Be careful: pickpockets are working in the market!
FAapravasi Ghat Complex
Not far from the Le-Coudan embankment, in the port area of the city, there is another attraction of Port Louis – the Aapravasi Ghat complex. In fact, Aapravasi Ghat is the first in the British colonies point of reception of labor migrants from British India.
In 1834, Britain began using the island of Mauritius as a testing ground for its “great experiment” in replacing slaves with “free” workers. By 1923, nearly 500,000 Indian indentured laborers had been transported from India to Aapravasi Ghat, and from there, they were sent to work directly in Mauritius, as well as in the Caribbean, South Africa, East Africa, and Australia.
This large-scale migration of workers from India has led to the fact that Indians now make up a significant part of the local population.
Since 2006, the ruins of the Aapravasi Ghat complex, which cover an area of 1,640 m², have been recognized as a National Monument and are protected by UNESCO. The site includes partially preserved gates, a colonial-style courtyard, a hospital building, and offices.
Admission to this attraction is free.
Fort Adelaide (Citadel Fort Adelaide)
Fort Adelaide or the Citadel is a fortress located on a hill outside the city, 790 meters above sea level.
The citadel is made of dark, almost black stone. There are cannons in the courtyard and along the perimeter of the observation deck. Almost nothing of the interior decoration has survived, but there is a good souvenir shop.
From the walls of the fortress, you can enjoy a picturesque panoramic view of Port Louis and its harbor, as well as the mountain range surrounding the city. In addition, you can see the nearby racetrack.
Tip! You should only visit Fort Adelaide in clear weather and make sure to bring water and a hat.
It is definitely worth spending 30 minutes of your time to explore this attraction and take scenic photos of the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis. There is no other such observation deck in the city, and admission is free.
Champ de Mars Racecourse
Horse racing in the capital of Mauritius is one of the most popular forms of entertainment. It is on the “Champ de Mars” every Saturday (from June to November) gather fans of equestrian sports, just to watch or to bet on the sweepstakes.
The Champ de Mars is the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere and the second oldest in the world. It was first planned in 1740 during the French colonization as a military training ground, and its sporting history began in 1812. This landmark holds significant historical importance, as it was the site where Mauritius was declared an independent nation in 1968.
The racetrack is divided into several sections, and the first section is free to enter. Women can access the more comfortable seats for free, while men must pay 200 rupees.
St. Louis Cathedral
The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Louis is one of the many religious attractions in the city. The Cathedral of St. Louis in Port-Louis has a beautiful colonial-style architecture. The exterior of the building is quite massive and imposing, but the interior is exquisite. There are many paintings and murals depicting biblical scenes, as well as statues of saints. The windows are adorned with colorful stained-glass panels, including a stunning window depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
There are many open doors in the temple, which makes it pleasantly cool even on a hot day. However, despite the constantly open doors, the interior is incredibly quiet, despite the fact that the building is located in the heart of a bustling capital city.
Mount Le Pouce
A half-hour drive from Port Louis, deep into the island, is the Moka mountain range, one of the highest peaks of which is Le Pouce, which stands at 812 meters. This natural landmark was formed over ten million years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. Le Pouce means “the thumb,” and the peak was named for its resemblance to a raised thumb.
Although the slopes of Mount Le Pous are quite steep, the ascent is not too difficult. The trail is 900 meters long and takes 3-4 hours to complete. You can climb the mountain on your own or book a guided tour.
At the very foot of Le Pous, there is the village of La Laura, where the route begins, and there is also a rental shop with special equipment for climbing. Tours usually start at the Moka Museum at 09:00, and the estimated price is 2,800 rupees.
At the top of Le Pouce, there is an observation deck with panoramic views of Port Louis and the nearby islands, the Moka Range, and other interesting landmarks.
Important! You need to prepare properly for the climb to Le Pous. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water, a light hoodie, and sunscreen.
Beaches in Port Louis
There are only two good beaches in the immediate vicinity of the capital of Mauritius: La Prise and Balaclava. For information on the best beaches in other parts of the island, please refer to the separate article.
La Prizon
La Prison is a small, quiet, and beautiful beach with all the necessary amenities, located near the main road, 8 km southwest of the city center.
Although the water is clean, La Prisone is not very suitable for swimming. The ocean entrance is strewn with rocks and coral fragments, and special shoes are necessary.
On this beach, it’s great to just relax on the beach and have picnics. However, unfortunately, there have been increasing reports from tourists stating that La Prisone has become a literal garbage dump.
Balaklava (Balaclava Public Beach)
Balaclava Bay in Mauritius is the place where the Citron River flows into the Indian Ocean. Due to the rich underwater life, this beach is a great place for snorkeling.
This coast is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in Mauritius, but there is no other infrastructure nearby. The beach is surrounded by many trees that provide natural shade. The water is shallow and clear near the shore.
The beach is quiet, and there are few people here even on weekends. However, there are pleasure boats that sail too close to the shore.
Weather conditions in Mauritius: When is the best time to visit Port Louis?
Mauritius is located in the Southern Hemisphere, approximately 20° south of the Equator. Therefore, the summer on the island occurs when it is winter in European countries and throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Consequently, the winter in Mauritius occurs when it is summer in Europe.
The Mauritian summer-the rainy season-lasts approximately from November to April. During this period, the humidity is usually above 80%, as every day there are short but heavy rains, and after them the sun immediately comes out. The air warms up to +29 during this period.. 33 °C during the day and up to +23.. 26 °C at night.
Mauritius has a dry winter season in May and October. Precipitation during this period is almost non-existent, humidity drops to 70 %. Winter is characterized by quite strong winds, especially in June and July. During the day, the air warms up to +22.. 25 °C, and at night the temperature is kept at +16.. 18 °C.
The Indian Ocean is warm in Mauritius at any season, and swimming is possible throughout the year. In summer, the water warms up to +28 °C, and in the winter months, its temperature does not fall below +23 °C. More information about the island’s weather and climate is available on this page.
It doesn’t matter what time of year you choose to visit Port Louis, Mauritius will captivate you with its charm regardless of the weather. It is commonly believed that the “high” season on the island, when people flock to the beaches, occurs from November to March. June and July are considered the coldest months on the island. However, August and September, which also fall within the “low” season, offer a comfortable climate with less intense heat and moderate winds.
