Notre Dame Auxiliatrice

Published on : 2025 - Sep - 27

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Features information that is relevant to travellers who are thinking about and actively planning a visit to Mauritus.

Notre Dame Auxiliatrice

Situated in a small fishing village of Cap Malheureux, the Notre Dame Auxiliatrice is one of the oldest churches that stood witness to one of the most written-about wars between the French and the British over the control of the island.

“Cap Malheureux”, translates to “Unfortunate/Unhappy Cape”, due to the numerous ships which floundered there in the past. The was built as a commemorative landmark to the shipwrecks that happened. It is also known by the name “the red roof chapel” and is renowned for its aesthetic value as well as historical significance. The church boasts intricate woodwork and a holy-water basin fashioned out of a giant clamshell. With a bright red roof, the church is one of a kind and a picture-perfect postcard-worthy in .

Notre Dame Auxiliatrice
Notre Dame Auxiliatrice

The Church

This simple chapel was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is situated ideally at the very northern point of Mauritius, offering breathtaking views of the five northern islets, including ().

This Church draws in as many tourists as worshippers. On Sunday mornings, many tourists can be found joining the mass. Surrounding area is a popular spot for newlyweds to have their pictures taken. A sign strictly prohibits newlyweds ‘faking' a church wedding for the photographers here, but newlyweds, genuine or otherwise, with their photographers are a common sight in the church grounds.

There is a pretty little beach right behind its main building.The church also boasts a wonderful choir that's well known in the country.

Notre Dame Auxiliatrice
Notre Dame Auxiliatrice

Origins of the church

Some believe the church was named after the sinking of the vessel Saint Geran on 18 August 1744, which inspired to write his famous novel “”. While others believe it owes its name to the numerous shipwrecks that occurred in this area at the beginning of the colonization of the island.

It is also the landing point of the British onto the island in 1810, to attack the French. The French who occupied the island then, named it the Cape of Misfortune after the British surprised them by attacking the north of the island instead of the island's harbour in Mahébourg and took possession of the island.

The area also houses a marine cemetery and a Hindu temple.

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