Curepipe Curepipe is by far one of the most densely populated areas within Central Mauritius, and...
![A Must See Town In Central Mauritius.](https://mauritius101.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Curepipe_Botanical_Gardens_-_Kiosk_for_Bands.jpg)
Curepipe Curepipe is by far one of the most densely populated areas within Central Mauritius, and...
Features information that is relevant to travellers who are thinking about and actively planning a visit to Mauritus.
The Blue Penny Museum is situated at Caudan Waterfront in port louis. It opened in November 2001.
In the museum there are six exhibition rooms dedicated to history, literature and art. The maritime world room shows exhibits relating to navigation, exploration, discovery, maps, technology, commercial routes. The Colonization room portrays stories of the taking over of territories, settlement, population and development. The capital, Port Louis Room shows the evolution and development of the port and town since 1736. Postal history room has exhibits relating to means, channels and organization of communication systems over nearly four centuries.
There is also a room displaying historical sources, the tragedy, the vestiges, the novel and its notoriety, the artistic representations of the novel “paul et virginie”. Paul et Virginie is a novel by Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, first published in 1788. The story is set on the island of mauritius under French rule, then named Île de France.
The Philately room has a collection that includes the 1847 blue penny and red penny stamps. The stamps were bought in 1993 for $2,000,000 by a consortium of Mauritian enterprises headed by The Mauritius Commercial Bank and brought back to Mauritius after almost 150 years. The museum, founded by The Mauritius Commercial Bank.
For conservation, the originals are illuminated only temporarily. Most of the time only copies are available for viewing.
Paul et Virginie sculpture
In 1881, the Municipality of Port Louis, of the colony of Mauritius, commissioned mauritian sculptor prosper d'epinay, to create a marble sculpture inspired by the novel, “Paul et Virginie”. The artist carved the sculpture from a single block of Carrara marble. The sculpture remained on display in d'Epinay workshop in Rome until 1886,when it was bought by a Portuguese collector. The original statue was purchased at an auction in London in October 1997 and was finally brought back to its initial destination.
Pointe Cotton Beach is a popular beach in Rodrigues with sharp corals in the water. It will be good to wear water shoes for a more enjoyable swim. The beach, which is almost always deserted, is among the most beautiful beaches in the island.
The shallow lagoon that encircles the island is bordered by a protecting coral reef; 18 small islets lie within it. While Mont Limon and Mont Lubin, two volcanic peaks, stand guard over the island.
You can also take a walk along the right side of the beach to explore the large coral outcrop. The landscape there is completely different with strong wind and huge waves crashing against the cliffs. Rock formations of coral origin and shady casuarina groves surrounding the beach serve not only as a spectacular background, but also as reliable protection from strong winds.
The area of the island where the beach is located is replete with resorts and restaurants for every taste and budget.
The coastal shallow water guarantees a safe family vacation with the kids. Active leisure enthusiasts can go swimming, parasailing, banana boating and water skiing. A pristine turquoise lagoon with coral reefs is for scuba diving fans.
About an hour’s walk from Pointe Coton on the East Coast takes you to the cove of Trou d’Argent, a charming little sandy beach sheltered by two magnificent cliffs.
Cotton Bay Hotel is the nearest hotel. It is only 200 meters from the beach. It is a three star hotel. Tekoma Boutik Hotel Rodrigues is a 4-star hotel which is 1.3 kiliometres from the beach.
Île aux Aigrettes is a tiny coral island (27 hectares) just off the coast of the town of Mahebourg. It is the largest islet in the Grand Port bay, 850 meters off the south-east coast of Mauritius and roughly a kilometer from the coastal town of Mahebourg.
The island has been declared a nature conservation site and today is being preserved by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. It is also a popular visitor attraction – both for tourists and for Mauritians.
This island is considered an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species.
A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise can be seen here. Eighteen Mauritian plant species which grow on the island are classified as endangered or very rare.
One of the local species of ebony, Diospyros egrettarum (named after the island) is found here.
Gastonia mauritiana (“Bois boeuf”) forming part of the forest canopy here.
A non-indigenous Aldabra giant tortoise was brought to Île aux Aigrettes to take over the ecological role of the extinct Mauritian tortoises.
The Underwater Sea Walk is one of the most unique attractions that one must experience when visiting Mauritius. It is a good experience for all the non divers.
The underwater walk is a safe and fascinating walk on the ocean bed (about 3-4m depth), where you can witness firsthand the marine life of Mauritius, the beautiful fauna, corals, and a wide variety of fish, all in their natural habitat. The Walk does not require any knowledge of swimming or diving and you are not even required to remove your glasses.
A helmet with a transparent visor is placed on your head. This equipment weighs 45 kg. You should be strong enough to carry this weight on your shoulders. A special apparatus allows normal breathing under the water. This trip is not recommended for pregnant women. Life Guards assist in taking you underwater and accompany you throughout the walk to guarantee your maximum safety. Total time of the excursion is approx. one hour (walk itself takes about 12-15 minutes).
The operating hours of the sea walk are between 9:00 and 14:30. You should have your own swimming costume and a towel.
Port Louis is the capital city and main port of Mauritius. It is also the largest city in Mauritius. Port Louis was constructed in the year 1735 by the noted French governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais.
The Port is named in honour of King Louis XV.
Port Louis is surrounded by a mountain range, called the Port Louis Moka Range. Mauritius Capital Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings through the years. One of them is a fortification named Fort Adelaide or La Citadelle, built by the British in 1835.
The main tourist attractions in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis Bazaar, Police Barracks, the Mauritian Chinatown and the old Port Louis theatre.
There are three museums: the Blue Penny Museum, the Mauritius Natural History Museum and the Mauritius Stamp Museum.
The economy of the city is dominated by its financial centre, port facilities, tourism and the manufacturing sector which include textiles, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Port Louis has the biggest port facility in the Indian Ocean region and one of Africa’s major financial centres.
Grand Bassin, known also as Ganga Talao is a lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 600 meters above sea level.
The Hindus of Mauritius consider the Grand Bassin as a Holy lake and that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges of India.
The Hindu community performs a pilgrimage there every year on the Maha Sivaratri (“Siva’s Great Night”), on this day they honor the Lord Siva. Beside the lake there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman and Lakshmi. Also, overlooking the lake is the statue of Mangal Mahadev (Shiva statue) which is 33 meters, making it the highest statue in Mauritius.
The Grand Bassin Mauritius map gives you clear directions to the sacred lake and the tourist spots nearby that you can visit.
Also, don’t forget to take off your shoes while entering the Lake complex and the temples.
On this guided tour you will discover the making of teas, rum, vanilla, essential oils, and you will also stroll down the exotic gardens of the Bois Cheri tea plantation.
You will visit the Domaine des Aubineaux and its gardens. It is a colonial house built in 1872, which has been converted into a museum dedicated to the history of Mauritian Tea. In the gardens around Domaine des Aubineaux you will visit Camphor tree garden with a diversity of exotic plants as well as trees of the endemic forest, and enjoy the beautiful sight of the tea plantation.
After that you will visit Bois Chéri which is the second stop in this tour. The Bois Chéri is the first and biggest tea producer in Mauritius, operating since 1892. You will also get to see the tea production museum.
This tour will take 5 to 7 hours and includes the following:
A guide to walk you through the Domaine des Aubineaux;
Visit of a colonial mansion-museum built in 1872;
Photo exhibition of the 19th and 20th Century;
Stroll across the garden ;
Visit of La Maison des Essences;
Tour across the gardens of the Domaine des Aubineaux;
A guided tour of the Bois Cheri tea factory;
Visit to the tea museum;
Visit to the tea plantation;
A tea tasting session at the chalet (tea & biscuits);
A guided tour of the Saint Aubin house;
Visit of the “Rum” House and Tasting;
Guided tour of the Sugar Factory and Le Moulin du Domaine de Saint Aubin;
Visit of the Vanilla House;
Visit of the Anthurium (flowers) la greenhouses;
Visit of the tropical garden and spice garden at Domaine de Saint Aubin.
You will end your tour with a special 5 course typical Mauritian lunch at the highly recommended restaurant of “Le Saint Aubin”.
This two hour cruise on a beautiful 40 feet catamaran will let you enjoy the sunset from the ocean. You will be served with complimentary cocktails and snacks as part of the cruise.
The cruise starts at 17:00 from Grand Baie on the North of Mauritius. It will return to Grand Bay at 19:00. The cruise will head the direction of Coin de Mire Island (also known as Gunner’s Quoin). While you cruise along Coin de Mire you will be able to see the island from close and its spectacular sea cliffs. You will also get to see other northern isles and the central mountain range of Mauritius.
Sometimes you will be able to see whales as well as dolphins. If they appear, the crew will stop the boat, so that you may observe these great animals from close in their natural environment.
While on board,you will be able to get mineral water, soft drinks, South African wine, beer, special rum cocktails and a selection of canapés and Mauritian snacks.
This cruise is offered only during summer season (September – April) and only once a week on Wednesdays.