The Republic of Mauritius: Complete Guide

Before the first known visit by Portuguese sailors in the early 16th century, Mauritius was an uninhabited island. The Republic of Mauritius is an Indian Ocean island republic located about 1,200 miles east of Madagascar on the African continent’s southeast coast. It consists of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon islands. The Mascarene Islands include the islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, as well as adjacent Réunion. Port Louis, the capital and largest city of Mauritius, is where the majority of the people live.

History of Maurice

Arab sailors were the first to find the barren island, which they named Dina Arobi, about 975. The islands were first discovered in 1507 by Portuguese sailors who had previously shown little interest in them. The Dutch acquired ownership in 1598, and during the next 120 years, they established a series of short-lived colonies before abandoning their attempts in 1710. In 1715, France acquired possession of the island and renamed it Isle de France. The island was conquered by the United Kingdom in 1810, and France surrendered Mauritius and its dependencies to the United Kingdom four years later in the 1814 Treaty of Paris.

Until its independence in 1968, Mauritius was predominantly a plantation-based British colony. The UK separated the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritian jurisdiction in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence, as well as the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from Seychelles, to establish British Indian Ocean Territory. The native population was forcibly removed, and the United States leased the main island, Diego Garcia. Because the ownership of the Chagos is contested between Mauritius and the UK, the UK has restricted access to the archipelago, restricting admission to casual visitors, the media, and former residents.

Mauritian Culture

Mauritius’ population are ethnically, culturally, and religiously varied, owing to its centuries of colonisation. It is Africa’s only country where Hinduism is the most widely practised religion. Mauritius is also one of the most competitive and sophisticated economies in Africa. Mauritius, like the other Mascarene Islands, is famous for its diverse flora and wildlife. The island is home to several indigenous species. The island was the sole known habitat of the dodo, which, like numerous other bird species, was wiped off by human activity not long after the island was settled.

Architecture in Mauritius

Mauritius’ unusual architecture reflects the island nation’s past as a colonial commerce hub between Europe and Asia. From the seventeenth century onwards, styles and forms were brought by Dutch, French, and British settlers, along with influences from India and East Africa, resulting in a unique hybrid architecture of worldwide historic, social, and aesthetic significance. In Mauritius, rising land values are juxtaposed against the cultural importance of ancient structures, while prohibitive maintenance costs and a continuous reduction in traditional building skills make preservation more difficult to invest in. Historically, the common public resided in so-called creole homes.

Art, Literature and Music

Henri Le Sidaner, Malcolm de Chazal, Raouf Oderuth, and Vaco Baissac are among the most well-known Mauritian artists. Mauritius also produces the Post Office stamps, which are among the world’s most valuable postage stamps, having recently sold for $4 million and been dubbed the finest thing in all philately by some.

Ananda Devi, Marie-Thérèse Humbert, Shenaz Patel, Malcolm de Chazal, Khal Torabully, Le Clézio, Aqiil Gopee, and Dev Virahsawmy are some of the most well-known Mauritian authors. J. M. G. Le Clézio, the 2008 Nobel Laureate in Literature, is of Mauritian descent and has dual French-Mauritian citizenship. The Le Prince Maurice Prize is held on the island. The prize alternates between English and French-speaking writers each year, in line with the island’s literary culture.

Mauritian Cuisine

The cuisine of Mauritius has a mix of Indian, Creole, French, and Chinese influences, with numerous dishes that are unique to the island. Spices have an important role in Mauritian cuisine. Alouda, a chilled beverage prepared with milk, basil seeds, and agar-agar jelly, is a local version of the Persian Falooda. In most towns, you can get freshly baked French pastries and bread. Dholl Puri, rice-based Biryani, and gâteau piment are all popular hawker dishes.

Port Louis

Port Louis, the capital city, remained relatively untouched until the mid-1990s, but today exhibits the irrevocable harm to its constructed history. Port Louis was founded in 1736 in the west Indian Ocean, protected by a deepwater port and a semicircular series of mountains. Port Louis displays to the globe an awe-inspiring combination of history and modernity, flawlessly blending current appeal and luxury with its 300-year-old customs. The cultural, musical, historical, and architectural legacy of Port Louis is what makes it so beautiful.

India, China, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe have all had a significant effect on the culture of this colourful metropolis. The city’s colonial ambience, architectural marvels, and breathtaking vistas of the Indian Ocean and the Moka mountain range wonderfully characterise the city’s attractiveness. Port Louis is home to a plethora of amazing attractions, ranging from fascinating museums and magnificent monuments to breathtaking gardens and opulent hotels. The Natural History Museum and the Blue Penny Museum unravel the country’s age-old history, while Pointe aux Piments Public Beach and Baie Du Tombeau Beach characterise the island’s beach culture.

Casinos such as Quatre Bornes introduce you to the city’s vibrant nightlife culture, while beautiful parks such as Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and Jardins de la Compagnie ensure you of the city’s more tranquil side. You may participate in a variety of enjoyable activities while on vacation at Port Louis.

There’s so much to do in Port Louis for an action-packed trip, from discovering Mauritius’ unique Chinatown and seeking shelter at Jummah Masjid, to relishing in the stunning views from Fort Adelaide and wandering through history at Aapravasi Ghat. May to December are ideal months for visiting Port Louis since the weather is pleasant and the beaches are bright and beautiful.

Best places to visit

Here is a list of some of Mauritius’ most amazing sites to visit in different directions.

East Mauritius

Large expanses of sandy beaches on Mauritius’ eastern coast are pummelling by a pleasant mild breeze in the summer and a cold breeze in the winter. The Belle-Mare beach, the island’s longest, the Bras d’Eau forest, golf courses, and Ile aux Cerfs are just a few of the attractions in this region to visit during your Mauritius vacation. The beaches to visit in the region include Belle Mare, Palmar, Trou d’Eau Douce, Poste Lafayette, and Roches Noires. Relax and let yourself go with your feet in the sand as each of the Eastern beaches is worth a visit, with their captivating lengths of fine sand and crystal blue seas, exposed to the serenity and nature in all its splendour.

With its crystal clear waters, and palm trees, Ile au Cerfs is a tropical paradise island that invites you to relax! There are also eateries and an 18-hole golf course on the island. To get to Ile aux Cerfs, either take a regular shuttle boat from Pointe Maurice or organise a catamaran trip from the Trou d’Eau Douce. Another interesting location towards the east is Flacq. It is a vast hamlet that is bustling with activity, and it is a good representation of the Mauritian people and their vibrancy. Allow yourself to be guided by the many fragrances, colours, lively banter of the vendors, and the diverse flavours of Mauritius.

You may also kayak through the mangroves on Ile d’Ambre, play water sports on Belle Mare Beach, see volcanic caverns at Roches Noires or Pont Bon Dieu, or take a nature walk in Bras d’Eau National Park. Pointe du Diable, commonly known as Pointe Canon, is a series of cannons pointed towards the sea located farther southeast on the seashore. It was a French defence station built to keep English invaders away from the shore.

West Mauritius

Mauritius’ west coast is the island’s sunniest and driest, with vistas that evoke the African savanna. The most popular beaches are Flic en Flac, Tamarin, and Le Morne. Several coastal settlements in the west offer guests unforgettable leisure, gastronomy, natural experiences, and interactions with residents. Leisure parks and a journey out to sea to see dolphins in the Black River Gorges National Park will satisfy nature enthusiasts. The towns of Pointe aux Sables and Albion are worth seeing. Flic en Flac is a gorgeous beach with casuarina trees and numerous restaurants and nightlife.

Discover local street cuisine at one of the numerous food trucks parked on the beach, or try one of the eateries along the street. Tamarin and Grande Rivière Noire, once remote fishing settlements, are now densely inhabited and treasured by surfers. The salt pans, which are the only ones operating now, are visible from the entrance of Tamarin. Another Martello tower, located at La Preneuse beach in Grande Rivière Noire, has been transformed into a museum since 1999. Watching dolphins, diving at Crystal Rock, and enjoying a lovely BBQ on the island are some of the activities to take up at Benitiers Island.

Le Morne is a historical site protected by UNESCO. Some escaped slaves are claimed to have ascended this peak during the colonial era and, to avoid being arrested, flung themselves into the gulf out of hatred. Quad, wakeboard, and zip line are just a few of the activities available in leisure parks like Gros Cailloux and Casela. The African wildlife may be seen in abundance at Casela Park. The Cascavelle Shopping Mall, located at the intersection of Flic en Flac and Black River, is the region’s primary shopping destination.

North Mauritius

The north of Mauritius is known for its sandy beaches such as Grand Bay, Péreybère, Trou aux Biches, Cap Malheureux, Pointe aux Canonniers, Bain Boeuf, and Mont-Choisy, which are popular with tourists. The red-roofed church of Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice at Cap Malheureux is one of the most visited sites in the north. Further inland, in Triolet, one of the region’s principal settlements, the Maheshwarnath Mandir, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the island’s largest Hindu temple. Goodlands, another large northern community, is usually bustling, with its weekly apparel fair. Poudre d’Or has structures from the colonial era, such as a late-nineteenth-century hospital dedicated to respiratory ailments, including TB.

Take the narrow road that goes to the church of Sainte Philomène, also known as Marie-Reine, an old stone chapel in the middle of sugar cane fields with a little cemetery attached; you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time! Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, also known as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Garden, is a must-see for anybody travelling to the north. The king’s steward, Pierre Poivre, designed this magnificent garden under Mahé de Labourdonnais’ administration in the 18th century. Take a stroll around Pamplemousses village, where you can visit the island’s oldest church, St Francis of Assisi, established in 1756, with its distinctive architecture and the statue of Paul and Virginie in the courtyard, as well as various remnants of the colonial and slave periods.

L’Aventure du Sucre awaits you on the other side of the highway at Beau Plan. Learn about the history of Mauritius’ cane sugar industry, sample some sweet sweets and rum, and then eat at the museum’s café. It is also necessary to pay a visit to the Domaine de Labourdonnais. This lovely colonial mansion in Mapou has been transformed into a museum; the structure is as remarkable as the wonderfully designed garden. As souvenir presents, jams and fruit pastes created from the estate’s fruit are available. Go for chocolate after the fruit. Van Ann, an artisan chocolatier, welcomes you to see its Calebasses facility. Ann Van Den Bergh, a Belgian, founded the chocolate manufacture in 1992.

In Cap Malheureux and Anse La Raie, sports like as sailing, kite surfing, and windsurfing abound. Several catamarans and motorboat tours provide pauses at sea for diving or watching dolphins. Scuba diving will be best done on Flat Island or Gabriel Island. The many licenced diving centres will take you to the most popular diving places in the north, like the Gunner’s Coin, Holt’s Rock, and the famed Whale Rock, which is about thirty metres deep; be cautious, a hammerhead shark may be encountered.

Alongside snorkelling in the Balaclava Marine Park, you may discover a protected underwater life and even swim with turtles, giving you an entirely new diving experience. For people who do not dive but, yet want to explore the underwater environment, the Blue Safari submarine and underwater scooter might be a suitable option! The Mauritius Aquarium houses a collection of 200 marine species, including everything from fish to corals and sharks. Grand Baie is a renowned tourist destination for shopping. Pamplemousses is also a fun spot to go shopping for souvenirs.

South Mauritius

The Wild South, also known as southern Mauritius, is the most conserved part of the island. It stands out from the other regions with its spectacular cliffs and tremendous waves, generating a sense of closeness to nature. The south of the island is particularly rich in history, preserving many artefacts from the past. Mahebourg is a historical town named after Mahé de Labourdonnais, created by the French around the nineteenth century. The legendary naval battle of 1810 took place in the lagoon, namely at Vieux Grand Port, and it is the only French naval victory commemorated on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The majestic Lion Mountain, which overlooks the sugar cane fields, the Mouchoir Rouge islet, which faces the waterfront, and Ile aux Aigrettes, a small protected island in the lagoon that is also a natural reserve, are all visible from here. The Naval Museum at Mahebourg is a historically significant location, not only for the artefacts on display but also for the structure itself. When leaving Mahebourg and heading north, one cannot miss the Cavendish Bridge, also known as the Ville-Noire Bridge.

Ferney, like Mahebourg, played a crucial part in Mauritius’ history by serving as the Dutch landing port in 1598. Pointe du Diable, commonly known as Pointe Canons, is located on the coast as you go north from Vieux Grand Port. Ile aux Aigrettes, located south of Mahebourg, will provide a unique natural experience. The Mauritian Wildlife Fund manages this natural reserve, which is midway between Mahebourg and Pointe d’Esny. Southbound after Ile aux Aigrettes to Pointe d’Esny and its white sand beach, as well as Blue Bay, a popular picnic spot for locals and a protected marine park.

Go snorkelling and observe the underwater flora and wildlife. If you don’t want to get wet, take a glass-bottom boat from the beach. If you continue south, Souillac offers numerous interesting stops, including Le Souffleur, La Roche Qui Pleure, Gris-Gris, and Rochester Falls. According to local folklore, La Roche Qui Pleure in Gris-Gris portrays the profile of Mauritian poet Robert Edward Hart, chiselled in the cliff by the elements.

Next door, the lovely garden of Telfair is a perfect spot for a stroll along the Souillac beachfront, among the majestic centennial trees; it is a popular gathering spot for locals. Rochester Falls is made up of unusual angular basaltic columns and is located on the boundary of Souillac. On the seaside, Rivière des Galets has a unique landscape. In front of you, a beach composed entirely of stones extends. You’ll pass via Baie du Cap, a little fishing town, and Macondé View Point, Mauritius’ most photographed destination, on your journey to the southeast. Macondé is also breathtaking from above!

Some of the other sites to visit in South Mauritius are Tamarind Falls, Chamarel Waterfalls, Chamarel seven coloured earth, Le Souffleur, Rhumerie de Chamarel, Des Couleurs Nature Park and so on.