Curepipe

Introducing Curepipe

Effectively Mauritius’ second city, Curepipe is a bustling highland commercial centre famous for its rainy weather and clothes shopping. Its strange name reputedly stems from the malaria epidemic of 1867 when people fleeing from lowland Port Louis would ‘cure’ their pipes of malarial bacteria by smoking them here, although in fact it’s more likely to be named after a fondly remembered town in France.

While it will be of limited interest to most visitors, it makes a pleasant half-day excursion inland from the beach. Shoppers looking for bargain clothes will fare well here and there are a couple of interesting sights, including a perfectly formed mini volcanic crater.

Curepipe is the highest of the plateau towns. At 550m above sea level, temperatures are refreshingly cool in summer, but the town is often swathed in cloud. The damp climate gives the buildings an ageing, mildewed quality. Bring an umbrella, as it can rain without warning at any time of year. According to lowlanders, Curepipe has two seasons: the little season of big rains and the big season of little rains.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009