INDIAN OCEAN
Discover Port-Louis, Mauritius capital city, from 831 €
Formalities
- A valid passport
- A return ticket is mandatory
Information on customs and security formalities is provided as a guide. Under no circumstances may Corsair be held responsible if your official documentation is not in order.
To prepare your trip, we suggest you contact the island’s tourist office:
MTPA (Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority) in France
124 boulevard Haussmann
75008 Paris, France
mauritiusnow.com
Worth knowing
No vaccine is mandatory.
On site
Shopping Hours
Shops are open between 08:00 and 17:00 from Monday to Friday.
Transports
To get around the country, there are plenty of bus companies serving the length and breadth of Mauritius - a cost-effective way of getting around. You can also get around by car, but be cautious of local driving habits and some “challenging” roads.
Security
Watch out for some insect bites, which can be dangerous; do not hesitate to consult a local specialist. Also be wary of eating certain fish; some can be contaminated by toxins, check with the locals for advice.
Services
Banks and administrative services are open between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday.
Mauritian holidays and celebrations
- Thaipoosam Cavadee, celebrated by the Tamil community
- The Spring Festival and Chinese New Year
- Maha Shivaratri
- Holi, the Festival of Colors
- The Ugadi festival, celebrating the Hindu New Year
- The Chinatown Food and Cultural Festival in Port-Louis
- Divali, the Festival of Light and renewal
The essentials
Not to be missed
Often compared to a smaller Singapore, Port Louis is indeed a bustling city where old colonial houses and buildings are found alongside imposing modern structures. The Port Louis citadel, the Vallée des Prêtres area, the Champ de Mars (the oldest racecourse in the Indian Ocean), Chinatown, l’Allée des Voyageurs or the Grand Bazaar are among the city’s essential sights.
Parks and gardens
Port Louis boasts luxuriant vegetation, which you can enjoy throughout the city, with Le Pouce Park standing out. The Jardin de la Compagnie gardens are ideal for relaxation.
Monuments and museums
You can wander through the city in search of the last colonial-style Creole houses. The city also features some notable buildings, including the Bank of Mauritius Tower, the Telecom Tower, the Newton Tower, the Paille-en-Queue Court, and the Garden Tower. Be sure not to miss Place d'Armes, the Port Louis theater, or the Parliament.
The Port Louis Museum and the Blue Penny Museum are worth a visit if you have the time. Dedicated to local art and history, they will provide you with a better understanding of the city and the island.
Near Port Louis
The Jardin des Pamplemousses gardens are fabulous: check out the palms, lantanas, camphor trees and sublime elephant trees. A magnificent 19th century colonial house, Maison Eureka, is famed for having belonged to the famous writer Le Clézio. It is set in superb gardens.
Gastronomy
Indian influence
Mauritian cuisine is a delightful fusion of Indian, Creole, Chinese, and European culinary traditions, offering a diverse range of flavors. On the island, you can relish iconic Indian-inspired dishes like biryani, samosas, curry, and chutney. Grilled fish is also a common feature on the menu, and rice serves as the foundation for numerous dishes. Inquire about the spice levels when ordering at a restaurant, or you could end up with a dish too hot for you!
Local specialities
The island boasts its own culinary specialties, including the "Bol renversé," a meat stew served over rice from an inverted bowl, "rougail à la mauricienne" (accompanied by a spicy tomato sauce, originally from Réunion), and "mine frit" (a noodle dish).
Drinks
Tamarind juice and alouda (milk flavoured with grenadine, and thickened with local tapioca) are typical and refreshing drinks. It is better to drink bottled water. Finally, for rum enthusiasts, there is a distillery on the island.
Culture
A mosaic of religions
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism coexist peacefully on the island, so you can visit mosques (such as Al-Aqsa and Jummah Mosque), churches and temples. There are numerous festivals throughout the year that thus reflect its rich religious melting pot.
Music
Characteristic of typically Mauritian folklore, sega is both a dance and music of African origin, imported by slaves. It is characterised by its high, frenetic rhythm.
Climate
Exceptionally mild winters
Port Louis has an exceptionally mild climate in the winter. Indeed, it is very rare for temperatures to drop below 18°C at night and 25°C during the day in the winter season, which lasts from June to September. The heaviest rain and highest temperatures are spread over several months from January to March, so the ideal months to stay are April, May, June, September, October and November; however, there is no specific period to avoid.
Cyclones
Like the neighbouring islands, Mauritius is prone to cyclones. The cyclone season starts in December and ends in March.
