May 2012
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Apr
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

Port Louis, Mauritius

Posted by fabfeistyandfifty on October 7, 2010

Port Louis is the capital of the island of Mauritius. In previous times it was used only during summer (due to prevailing winds) by the Dutch and the French since the 1600′s, and early 1700′s. However, it took all its importance when, in 1735 Labourdonnais decided to make Port Louis the main harbour and the administration headquarters of Mauritius. The capital has a residential population of above 150,000 but receives as much visitors during daytime as it is first of all the city of businesses.

Situated on the northwest coast, it lies at the feet of the Moka range of mountains, which almost surrounds it. Being small in area, the topography is regular: flat with a gentle slope to the sea. Port-Louis itself and as place of interest, I would recommend the “Place d’Armes” and Chinatown. The Place d’Armes is the most ancient part of Port Louis although many of the very old buildings have now been replaced by roads and tall modern buildings. However, it is essential point for visiting the other parts of the town and the few monuments such as the original government house, the most ancient theatre of the Indian Ocean, the few paved roads, the St Louis and St James cathedrals, the central market, the national and postal museums just to name a few.

The Chinatown of Port-Louis is also in the old Port Louis and is spectacular as the atmosphere is really different from the neighbourhood. The eldest inhabitants of the Port-Louis Chinatown dress the Chinese way and have kept a deep Chinese accent making their speeches incomprehensible. Tiny shops, side-by-side all sell the same products obviously, as they all sell all products. Second hand spare parts, plastic toys, Chinese paintings, clothes, books and medicines may be found in the same shop.

By day the National History Museum and the other private museums remain interesting, especially when they carry out specific exhibitions. Signal Mountain is accessible again; it offers a nice view on the Capital. By night there is really not much; a few movies, a theatre play sometimes and that’s it. But the town is so so glourius, it is enough just to find a beach and staring at the stars….