Thermes de Cilaos
The sources thermales (thermal springs) of Cilaos were first brought to the attention of the outside world in 1815 by a goat hunter from St-Louis, Paulin Técher. A track into the Cirque was constructed in 1842, paving the way for the development of Cilaos as a health spa for rich c
Domaine Les Pailles
Just a few miles outside of the capital the strange sugar estate turned theme park Domaine Les Pailles has been transformed into a cultural and heritage centre that makes for an enjoyable half-day excursion. The facilities include rides in horse-drawn carriages, a miniature railway
Tamarin Beach
Locals like to wax nostalgic about Tamarin Beach, and in many ways this sandy cove still feels like a throwback to earlier times – especially since the centrally located Tamarin Hotel looks like it hasnt been renovated since Jaws was in cinemas.Once upon a time the area was known a
Père Lavals Shrine
The shrine of the French Catholic priest and missionary Père Jacques Désiré Laval is something of a Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, with many miracles attributed to visits to the priests grave. The padre died in 1864 and was beatified in 1979 during a visit by Pope John Paul II. He is
Vallée de Mai
Praslins World Heritage–listed Vallée de Mai is one of only two places in the world where you can see the rare coco de mer palms growing in their natural state (the other being nearby Curieuse Island) – not to mention more than 50 other indigenous plants and trees. If the entry pri
La Vanille
This exciting zoo and reserve makes for a fantastic field trip with the kids. The park has the greatest number of giant tortoises in captivity in the world (over 1000), a result of a wildly successful breeding program for the Aldabra and radiata species. Chances are that youll see
Le Souffleur
Le Souffleur, a hidden attraction known only to locals, isnt exactly a stones throw from Souillac like the other sights in the area. Youll need a bit of gumption (and a 4WD) to tackle this one, but if you ask anyone in the know, theyll all say that its well worth the adventure.Situ
Centre Ville
Youll find a scattering of attractive colonial-era edifices scattered in the centre, including the old Hôtel de Ville , which started life as a coffee warehouse for the French East India Company during the 18th century. The old colonial-era train station is now occupied by the Café
Eureka
If youre only going to visit one attraction related to Mauritius rich colonial history, choose Eureka. This perfectly preserved Creole mansion was built in the 1830s and today its a museum and veritable time machine providing incredible insight into the islands vibrant plantation p
St Aubin
If youre following La Route du Thé, then the final stop after Bois Chéri is St Aubin, an elegant plantation house that dates back to 1819; it originally sat alongside the factory but was moved in the 1970s so that its owner could get a quieter nights sleep. The estate no longer pro
National History Museum
The colonial mansion housing this museum used to belong to the Robillard family and played an important part in the islands history. It was here in 1810 that the injured commanders of the French and English fleets were taken for treatment after the Battle of Vieux Grand Port (the o
Vallée de Ferney
This reserve protects a 400-year-old forest. While that should be reason enough to visit, this is also an important habitat for the endangered Mauritius kestrel, one of the worlds most at-risk raptors. A well-marked 3km trail winds through part of the forest, passing a number of vi
Casela World of Adventures
This 14-hectare nature park is on the main road 1km south of the turn to Flic en Flac. When you arrive at the entrance gate you are greeted with a bewildering range of options – in addition to being a zoo, the beautifully landscaped reserve offers a variety of heart-pumping rando f
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
Dont be put off if youve never been particularly interested in botany – after Londons Kew Gardens the SSR Botanical Gardens is one of the worlds best botanical gardens. Its also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and is easily reached from almost anywhere on t
Central Market
Port Louis rightly famous Central Market, the centre of the local economy since Victorian times, was cleaned up considerably in a 2004 renovation. Many comment that its lost much of its dirty charm and atmosphere (youre far less likely to see rats, although its possible), but its s
Blue Penny Museum
Whether or not you fully understand the philatelic obsession with the Mauritian one-penny and two-pence stamps of 1847, the Blue Penny Museum is far more wide ranging than its name suggests, taking in the history of the islands exploration, settlement and colonial period and even d
François Leguat Reserve
In 1691, François Leguat wrote that there were so many tortoises on Rodrigues that one can take more than a hundred steps on their shell without touching the ground. Sadly the Rodrigues version of the giant tortoise went the way of the dodo, but this giant tortoise and cave reserve
Mauritius Weather, Climate and Geography
Mauritius Weather, climate and geography
Mauritius History, Language and Culture
Mauritius History, Language and Culture
Mauritius Travel Guide and Travel Information
Mauritius Travel Guide
