Speaking about Port-Louis is far from being an insignificant exercise, since the capital of Mauritius is so special! We have tried to perform this delicious, but perilous task in order to let you discover or rediscover Port-Louis, this city so cosmopolitan.
Port-Louis, the capital of Mauritius
The historic part
Bordered on one side by the Indian Ocean and the other by the side of the mountain, Port Louis is an amalgam of tradition and modernity, typical of Mauritius. The city was founded by the French Governor Mahé de La Bourdonnais. Two opposing theories exist about the present name of Port-Louis: the capital of Mauritius owes its name to King Louis XVI… or was named after a Breton port, located in Lorient.
Port-Louis reveals its true self
Big companies alongside smaller business, small shops and old colonial buildings inhabited by irreducible Port-Louisiens – this is how Port-Louis looks like, a bustling capital, almost a small Hong Kong! The city, situated between mountains and sea, draws its moods, colors and force from its intense ethnic and cultural blending.
Many of the old buildings located in the heart of Port Louis are unfortunately left vacant; they are very expensive to buy, given their scarcity and authenticity; moreover they require a lot of renovation. They are having a hard time finding buyers…
Port-Louis: a hive of activity!
An intense activity prevails in Port-Louis during the day: overloaded motorbikes as donkeys, employees, businessmen, noisy old bangers… In the rear lanes, one has to push its way through the crowd. However, there’s not a soul out there in the evening, except for some areas of Port-Louis and at Caudan Waterfront.
But there may be an indication that things are about to change! Indeed, in December 2015, Port-Louis has experienced three exceptional nights thanks to the festival Porlwi by Light. The aim of this event was to promote the heritage of the capital: organized visits of the regional heritage, spectacular light shows, concerts and strolls in the streets… Mauritian had the opportunity to discover their beautiful capital in a new light.
Porlwi by Light
Discovering Port Louis is just like going on a scavenger hunt
Feel free to walk off the beaten tracks and to stroll through the narrow streets of the capital to admire Port-Louis in all its beauty and authenticity. For shopping aficionados, Caudan Waterfront is a must. This tourist-centre, built on the harbour, with its fashionable boutiques and local shops, ensures to the capital an atmosphere of a leisure park.
The Caudan Waterfront
The Caudan Waterfront houses the Blue Penny Museum, where visitors can admire the famous Blue and Red penny, two of the most famous rare and valuable stamps in the world and which display the profile of Queen Victoria. What a windfall for philatelists!
The Blue Penny Museum
Climb on foot or by car on the Montagne des Signaux or up to the Marie Reine de la Paix monument, to enjoy a breath-taking view of the city and its harbour. Other historic sites of Port-Louis are worth visiting, including the Theatre of Port-Louis, one of the oldest in the Indian Ocean, the Line Barracks and the Champ de Mars, the oldest race track of the southern hemisphere. Take also a visit to the Natural History Museum of Mauritius, Chinatown as well as the Jardins de la Compagnie where, at noon, workers enjoy the soothing shade of the trees while devouring their dhools puris. The Place d’Armes, bordered by magnificent royal palms, the Hôtel du Gouvernement of French colonial style and the St Louis Cathedral, are also among the many highlights of the capital.
The Hôtel du Gouvernement
This list of historic sites is not exhaustive; the best is to go there in order to discover them all.
Central Market: a must-see location!
The centre of Port-Louis nestles a market surrounded by wrought iron gates art deco. Once inside, we are caught up by a universe rich in flavours and colors. Fruits and vegetables are carefully stacked into high pile on the market stalls. Tasty, mangoes or bananas called a furtive caress.
The Central Market of Port-Louis
Traders tried to catch the attention of visitors by boasting the freshness of their products or persuade them of the virtues of their infusion. Meanwhile, visitors handle, evaluate and bargain the vegetables. Further, spices bags are exposed like purses filled with gold coins. Bright and aromatic, pepper or turmeric wait to join the pot! On the upper floor of the market, there are the usual tourist souvenirs, boat scale models and other jewellery.
In the central market, our senses are put to the test by the perfumed and spicy fragrances of the “gateaux-piments”, friend noodles, dholls puris and tasty Chinese dumplings; so much appetizing snacks!
A city where all desires are fulfilled
Rue la Corderie is full of fabric shops with heaps of silky, fluffy and printed fabrics undulating to the ground. Continue on your way where merchants of the small stalls of China Town will drive you at the back of their boutique to propose thousand and one products, such as traditional medicines…
Passers-by strolling in the streets of Port-Louis
As for the climate, residents of the cooler regions of the island consider that the Port-Louisiens are not familiar with winter because of the moderate temperatures prevailing in the capital! In Port-Louis, summers are renowned to be torrid, thermometer often shows more than 35°C and the humidity approaches 90%... a situation which is not obvious to all!
Cosmopolitan, picturesque and typical, the beauty of Port-Louis enchants.
