Sights in Mauritius
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Tamarin Falls
Tamarin is awkward to reach, but it's worth the effort for a beautiful, deep, cool bathe at the bottom of a series of seven spectacular waterfalls. They are only accessible via a challenging trail that begins near the Tamarin Falls reservoir, but you will have to explore to find it. It's best to take a local guide from Henrietta.
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Grand Baie Beach
The beach at Grand Baie is nothing special and the bay here is congested with boats. Instead, you're better off heading for La Cuvette public beach beside the Veranda Hotel on the bay's north side. It's not huge, but the sand is good and the water clean.
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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 island's exploration, settlement and colonial period. It's Port Louis' best museum, with a fantastic selection of antique maps, photographs and engravings from different periods in history. There's a room dedicated to temporary exhibits and a small gift shop as well.
The pride of the museum's collection is two of the world's rarest stamps: the red one-penny and blue two-pence 'Post Office' stamps issued in 1847. To preserve the colours, they are only lit…
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National History Museum
The colonial mansion housing this museum, just beyond central Mahébourg, used to belong to the Robillard family and played an important part in the island's 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 only naval battle in which the French got the upper hand over their British foes). The story of the victory is retold in the museum, along with salvaged items – cannons, grapeshot and the all-important wine bottles – from the British frigate Magicienne, which sank in the battle.
The museum contains some fascinating artefacts, including early maps of the island…
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Père Laval's 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 priest's grave. The padre died in 1864 and was beatified in 1979 during a visit by Pope John Paul II. He is credited with converting 67,000 people to Christianity during his 23 years in Mauritius.
Today Père Laval is a popular figure for Mauritians of all religions. Pilgrims come here from as far afield as South Africa, Britain and France to commemorate the anniversary of his death on 9 September. Notice the coloured plaster effigy of the priest on top of the tomb – it's been rubbed smooth by…
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Lion Mountain
Overlooking Vieux Grand Port is Lion Mountain (480m/1575ft), immediately recognisable by its sphinx-like profile. The mountain offers a splendid half-day hike with stunning views over the coast. It's a very challenging but rewarding walk that climbs up the lion's 'back' to finish at an impressive viewpoint on its 'head'.
The trail begins beside the police station at the north end of Vieux Grand Port. From there, a 4WD track heads inland through the sugar cane; turn right at the first junction and follow the trail up towards the ridge. A set of concrete steps begins on the right just after you reach the start of the forested area. The steps lead to a bunker, from where a…
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Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
Don't be put off if you've never been particularly interested in botany – after London's Kew Gardens the SSR Botanical Gardens is one of the best places in the world to learn about plants, trees and flowers. It's also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and is easily reached from almost anywhere on the island.
Named after Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first prime minister of independent Mauritius, the gardens also house the funerary platform where he was cremated. His ashes were scattered on the Ganges in India.
The plants are gradually being labelled and map boards installed, but this is still very patchy and thus the gardens are best seen with a…
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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 day or half-day excursion. The facilities include rides in horse-drawn carriages, a miniature railway, a working replica of a traditional ox-driven sugar mill, a rum distillery producing the estate's own brew, a spice garden, a quad-biking circuit and a children's playground. There is also a selection of upmarket restaurants.
Visitors can choose to tour the site by train, horse carriage or jeep, with the cost of entry varying accordingly. To get to the Domaine, take any bus running…
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L'Aventure du Sucre
This excellent museum in the former Beau Plan sugar factory not only tells the story of sugar in fascinating detail, but along the way covers the history of Mauritius, slavery, the rum trade and more. The factory was founded in 1797 and only ceased working in 1999. Most of the machinery is still in place and former workers are on hand to answer questions about the factory's history and the complicated process of turning sugar cane into crystals.
There are also videos and interactive displays as well as quizzes for kids. At the end of the visit, you can taste four of the 15 varieties of unrefined sugar, two of which were invented in Mauritius. Allow at least a couple of…
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Champ de Mars Racecourse (Hippodrome)
This racecourse, also known as the , was a military training ground until the Mauritius Turf Club was founded in 1812, making it the second-oldest racecourse in the world. Mauritian independence was proclaimed here in 1968. Within the racecourse stands a statue of King Edward VII by the sculptor Prosper d'Épinay, and the Malartic Tomb, an obelisk to a French governor.
The racing season lasts from around April to late November, with meetings usually held on a Saturday or Sunday. The biggest race of all is the Maiden Cup in September. If you're here on a race day, it's well worth joining the throng of betting-crazy locals. Tickets for the stands and loges range from Rs 50…
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Black River Gorges National Park
A network of hiking trails crisscross the wild and empty Black River Gorges National Park. Unfortunately, they're not always well marked, so check the route and trail conditions at the information centres before setting off. Look for the rare tambalacoque (dodo tree), the black ebony trees and the wild guavas. Bird-watchers should keep an eye out for the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, echo parakeet and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike.
Mauritius' sole national park is a spectacularly wild expanse of thick forest covering 3.5% of the island's surface and home to over 300 species of flowering plants and nine species of bird unique to Mauritius, including the famous pink pigeon…
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Natural History Museum & Mauritius Institute
There's only one real attraction at this small but proud museum: the famous (though somewhat grubby) reconstruction of a dodo. Scottish scientists assembled the curious-looking bird in the late 19th century, using the only complete dodo skeleton in existence. The rest of the museum's three halls get marks for trying, but the majority of the other exhibits are a sad testimony to the fact that fish don't readily lend themselves to the process of taxidermy. Look out, however, for the stuffed birds, including the solitaire and red rail, both also now extinct.
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Company Gardens
It's a real pity that Company Gardens has such a sleazy atmosphere as it's by far the most attractive park in the city, with its vast banyan trees, huge number of statues, quiet benches and fountains. During the day it's perfectly safe (though keep your wits about you), but you should avoid it at night when it's a flashpoint for muggings, drug deals and pimps. Once the vegetable patch of the French East India Company in early colonial times, it's now best known for its statues of local sculptor Prosper d'Épinay and the much-loved musician Ti-Frère.
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Municipal Theatre
This appealing theatre on Jules Koenig St has changed little since it was built in 1822, making it the oldest theatre in the Indian Ocean region. Decorated in the style of the classic London theatres, it seats about 600 on three levels, and has an exquisitely painted dome ceiling with cherubs and chandeliers. Photos of Margot Fonteyn, who danced here in 1975, adorn the foyer. Performances are in the evenings - usually at 20:00. Unless you get lucky and someone lets you glimpse inside, you'll need to buy tickets for a performance to visit.
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Mauritius Postal Museum
This interesting museum beside the central post office houses a mishmash of commemorative stamps and other postal paraphernalia from around the world. A new exhibit details the history of the Mauritius post using a rich assortment of photographs and artefacts. Of particular interest is the display about mail delivery to the remote dependencies of Agaléga and St Bandon. The museum shop sells replica first-day covers of the famous 'Post Office' stamps of 1847, which make unusual souvenirs.
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Photography Museum
This small but engaging museum, down a cobbled lane opposite the Municipal Theatre, is the labour of love of local photographer Tristan Bréville. He's amassed a treasure trove of old cameras and prints, including several daguerreotypes (the forerunner of photographs) produced in Mauritius in 1840, just a few months after the technique was discovered in France. The museum also contains a vast archive of historical photos of the island (however, only a fraction are on display).
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Notre Dame des Anges
The butter-coloured tower of Notre Dame des Anges church provides a focal point in Mahébourg. The original church was built in 1849, but it has been restored several times over the years, most recently in 1938. Take a quick peek inside at the baronial roof timbers. Local people visit throughout the day to make offerings to Père Laval, whose statue stands to your right immediately inside the door. It's worth a visit just for the priceless 'beware of children' sign outside.
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Rault Biscuit Factory
In 1870 the Rault family started producing manioc biscuits at their little biscuit factory on the northern outskirts of Mahébourg. It has changed hardly a jot since. The crispy, square cookies are made almost entirely by hand using a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation and baked on hotplates over stoves fuelled with dried sugar-cane leaves. The short guided tour ends with a chance to sample the end result – with a nice cup of tea, of course. The factory is on the far side of the Cavendish Bridge; when you cross the bridge take a left and follow the signs.
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Chinatown
The Chinese have traditionally occupied a quietly industrious position in the life of Port Louis. The region between the two 'friendship gates' on Royal St forms the centre of Port Louis' Chinatown. Here you'll see the rich mercantile life of the hard-working Chinese community, the busy Chinese restaurants and grocery stores, and the streets echoing with the unmistakable clatter of mah-jong tiles.
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Place S Bissoondoyal
Port Louis' most imposing boulevard is named after Sookdeo Bissoondoyal, a senior Mauritian politician, independence leader and, eventually, opposition leader against Ramgoolam, who died in 1977. The road that bears his name is lined with royal palms and leads up to Government House. At the quayside end of the avenue is the statue of Mahé de Labourdonnais.
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SSR Memorial Centre for Culture
This simple house museum near the Jardin Plaine Verte was home to Mauritius' father of independence, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, from 1935 until 1968. It's an interesting exhibit on his life, with some fascinating photographs, a collection of his personal belongings and even films about the great man, beloved by all Mauritians.
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Jummah Mosque
The Jummah Mosque, the most important mosque in Mauritius, was built in the 1850s, and is a delightful blend of Indian, Creole and Islamic architecture – it would look equally at home in Istanbul, Delhi or New Orleans! Visitors are welcome in the peaceful inner courtyard except on Fridays and during the month of Ramadan.
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Fort Adelaide (Citadel)
Fort Adelaide, also known as the , resembles a Moorish fortress. Built by the British, the fort sits high on the crown of a hill, offering splendid views over the city and its harbour. The old barracks have been restored and transformed into a row of intriguing boutiques – good for a few minutes of window-shopping. The quickest route up is via Suffren St. Allow around 10 minutes for the climb.
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Chapel and Shrine of Marie Reine De La Paix
The modern chapel and shrine of Marie Reine de la Paix is a popular spot for prayers, and the ornamental gardens offer views over the city. During Pope John Paul II's visit to the island he officiated his first Mass here. The most important place of pilgrimage for Mauritian Christians is the shrine of Père Laval on the city's northern outskirts.
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Government House
Government House is a beautiful French colonial structure dating from 1738, although it was added to later. Outside it stands a typically solemn statue of Queen Victoria in full 'we are not amused' mode.
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