Visit to the city of Port Louis

About Port Louis

Discover the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, where you will find the history and heritage of the island, seamlessly integrated into this bustling city.

Port Louis is the capital city and main port of Mauritius. The noted French governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais, constructed the city in the year 1735. Today it is the largest city in Mauritius and the economic and administrative center of the island.

Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings throughout the years. One of them is a fortification named Fort Adelaide built by the British in 1835. The biggest and oldest post office in Mauritius can also be found in Port Louis near the Caudan Waterfront. At the city center, there are a number of French styled buildings, which enhance the charm of Port Louis. You can tour the city and see some wonderful French colonial buildings, such as the Government House and the Municipal Theater.

Other main tourist attractions in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, the Central Market, the 18th Century Police Barracks and the Mauritian Chinatown. While strolling the city streets you will even come across the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals, the main city Mosque and the Natural History Museum, where you can get a glimpse of the cultural heritage of the island.

Port Louis is definitely a must-see place to visit during your stay in Mauritius.

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 Harbor. The Le Caudan Waterfront shopping complex with its 170 boutiques is a shopper's must visit, offering luxurious shops, crafts, a food court & restaurants.

• 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 jewelries and souvenirs at very low prices. There is also a small snack area, where you will find an eclectic range of local foods.

• 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 a number of Chinese and Far East goods. Chinatown also serves as the apothecary of the island with a variety of traditional herbs and plants.

• Champ de Mars - Champ de Mars is very 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 and displays a huge collection of natural science exhibits, including the reconstruction of the world famous dodo. The museum’s galleries allow you to witness the past 500 years of natural history of Mauritius.

• Marie Reine de la Paix - Pay homage to the Virgin Mary at the Marie Reine de la Paix - 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 in order to reach the monument.