ÎLE MAURICE
Book your flight to Port Louis from 937 €
Practical Information
Before you leave, make sure you have:
- a valid passport,
- a return ticket.
Information regarding customs and immigration formalities is provided for reference only. Corsair cannot be held responsible if you do not comply with official requirements.
To prepare your trip, we recommend contacting the Mauritius Tourism Office:
MTPA - Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority in France
124 boulevard Haussmann - 75008 Paris
mauritiusnow.com/fr
Good to know
No vaccinations are required to travel to Mauritius.
On Site
Store Hours
Shops are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Transportation
To get around the country, there are numerous bus companies that operate throughout Mauritius. It’s an efficient and affordable way to travel. Renting a car is also an option, but be mindful of local driving habits and some challenging road conditions.
Safety
Beware of certain insect bites, which can be harmful. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to consult a local medical specialist.
Additionally, be cautious when consuming certain types of fish, as some may be contaminated with toxins. Ask locals for guidance.
More information available at http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr
Services
Banks and administrative offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Holidays and Celebrations
January/February : Spring Festival and Chinese New Year
March : National Day
August : Hindu festivals
November : Diwali, the festival of lights and renewal
Not to Be Missed
Must-Sees
Often compared to a small Singapore, Port Louis is indeed a bustling hive of activity where colonial-era buildings stand alongside towering modern skyscrapers.
The Port Louis Citadel, Vallée des Prêtres, Champ de Mars (the oldest racecourse in the Indian Ocean), Chinatown, the Allée des Voyageurs, and the central market are among the city’s must-see sites.
Parks and Gardens
The city boasts lush vegetation that can be enjoyed throughout, though Le Pouce Park stands out for a shaded break. For a relaxing stroll, the Jardin de la Compagnie is ideal.
Monuments
You can wander the city in search of the last remaining colonial-style Creole houses. The city is also home to several high-rise buildings, including the Bank of Mauritius Tower, the Telecom Tower, Newton Tower, Paille en Queue Court, and Garden Tower. Also not to be missed: Place d'Armes, the Port Louis Theatre, and the Parliament.
Museums
The Port Louis Museum and the Blue Penny Museum are well worth a visit if you have the time. Dedicated to art and history, they offer insights into the city and the island.
Around Port Louis
The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is stunning: discover palms, screw pines, camphor trees, and magnificent elephant trees. The 19th-century colonial mansion, Eurêka House, once belonged to the famous writer Le Clézio and is surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Aapravasi Ghat
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the landing point for Indian indentured laborers arriving on the island from November 1834 to 1910. The only remaining structures are the entrance gate, the hospital, a stable that once housed horses, and a few everyday living spaces.
Gastronomy
Indian Influence
A blend of Indian, Creole, Chinese, and European cuisines, Mauritian food is quite diverse. However, Indian influence is predominant, and you’ll find many typical Indian dishes in Mauritius, such as biryani, samosas, curry, and chutney. Rice is the base of many meals, and the food is generally spicy, much like in India. Ask before ordering in a restaurant if you'd prefer to avoid something too hot.
Local Specialties
The island also offers its own culinary specialties, such as “bol renversé” (a meat stew with rice served upside down from a bowl), Mauritian-style rougaille (a tomato and spice-based side dish originally from Réunion Island), or fried noodles (“mine frit”). Grilled fish is also commonly served.
Beverages
Tamarind juice and alouda (a sweet milk drink flavored with grenadine and thickened with local tapioca) are refreshing and typical local beverages. As for water, it is recommended to drink bottled water. And for enthusiasts, locally distilled rum is also available.
Mauritian Red Bean Soup Recipe
Soak the red beans in a bowl of hot water for about 1 hour. Finely chop the onions and tomatoes. Sauté the onions in a pressure cooker, then add garlic, ginger, and thyme. Let simmer for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red beans and 750 ml of water. Add salt. Cook for about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped coriander (cotomili) at the end of cooking.
Culture
Symbolic and Spectacular Festivals
The Spring Festival and Chinese New Year take place in January and February. These celebrations feature colorful parades and dragon dances in the streets. Tamil festivals are also held during this period.
Hindu festivals are celebrated in August in Mauritius. Devotees create statues of deities, which they carry in processions to rivers or the sea to immerse them before sunset.
Music
A hallmark of traditional Mauritian folklore, sega is both a dance and a music style of African origin, brought to the island by enslaved people. It is characterized by its fast-paced and lively rhythm.
A Mosaic of Religions
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism coexist peacefully on the island. You can visit mosques (such as Al-Aqsa and Jummah Mosque), churches, and temples. Blessed Jacques-Désiré Laval is honored every year in September. On this day, Catholics and Mauritians of other faiths gather at Father Laval’s tomb, known as the Apostle of the Black people.
Going Out
The "Caudan and Port Louis Waterfront" features numerous restaurants, cafés, bars, cinemas, duty-free shops, and craft boutiques. There is also a casino on-site.
Divali
Divali, the festival of lights and renewal, takes place in November.
Devotees traditionally light up their homes and purify themselves through bathing and offerings to invite prosperity and abundance throughout the year.
Climate
Mild Weather All Year Round
Exceptionally Mild Winters
Port Louis enjoys exceptionally mild winter weather. It is very rare for temperatures to drop below 18°C at night and 25°C during the day in the winter season, which runs from June to September. The heaviest rainfall and highest temperatures occur between January and March. The ideal months to visit are April, May, June, September, October, and November, though no period is particularly inadvisable.
Cyclones
Like its neighboring islands, Mauritius is subject to cyclones. The cyclone season begins in December and ends in March.
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