Plan Your Travel To Mauritius
Places To Visit In Mauritius
Domaine Des 7 Vallee
Mauritius is a land of hidden treasures, much more than just the beaches and lagoons and exquisite resorts. As you dig deeper into the heart of this paradise island, you will come across landscapes that will blow your mind away. There is one such spectacle of nature right at the centre of Mauritius – the Domaine des 7 Vallee at Mare aux Vacoas.
Famous as a unique ecotourism conceptualisation, Domaine des 7 Vallee covers more than 4000 hectares of serene wilderness waiting for you to explore them! You get a chance to enjoy the excellent hunting facilities among the ocean of other activities. You can choose to either hunt the wild boars and deer or simply discover the depths of the forests, valleys, ponds, streams and waterfalls coexisting in perfect harmony with each other and serving the purpose of habitat for the diverse wildlife. And if that is not what gets you thrilled, you can always add some adrenaline to your venture with quad biking!
Source
Read More
Domaine Les Pailles
Situated in the little town of Pailles, the Domaine Les Pailles is one of the oldest domains in Mauritius that has existed for 17 years. Spreading over 1500 hectares on the western side of the island, this attraction is both an amusement park as well as a heritage centre which was a sugar estate previously.
Source
Sugar MillOne of the first things you notice while you enter the park is the traditional sugar mill (all sugar mills in the past were ox-driven) that was used to extract sugar back in the colonial days. Other fascinating attractions include horse-drawn carriage rides and mini railway rides, which are very popular with tourists since they tell you about how things were back in the 1800s and 1900s.
Rum DistilleryFurther up the park is a rum distillery, where you can see the production of the estate's very own rum, as well as a spice garden that is a treat to the sense, and a playground where you can sit down and rest after a stroll around the park. RestaurantThe Domaine Les Pailles is also home to a classy restaurant where you can sit down and have a hearty meal (the bill for the restaurant has to be paid separately from the admission fee for the park). TransportYou have the option of touring the entire park on foot, on a horse-drawn carriage, by a jeep, or by the train, and the admission fee will vary depending on what mode of transport you choose.
Source
Read More
Eureka House
Eureka House is a 19th century Creole-style house built in 1830 by the banks of the Mauritian river Moka. It is one of the island’s most visited historical sites and is totally loved by the tourists. The interior decorations and furniture are well maintained along with the mahogany and ebony antiques, old ceramics and beautifully painted chinaware, photographs of daily life and books. It is considered to be the largest house in all of Mauritius with its 109 doors and windows.
Source
Read More
Flic en Flac
Flic en Flac, which was once an idyllic little beach town, is one of the most popular tourist areas in Mauritius second to Grand Baie. With its name translating to 'Free and Flat Land', which used to be an old Dutch proverb, Flic en Flac originally started out as a fishing village which was a hunting ground for wild birds and ducks. Situated on the west coast of Mauritius, the Flic en Flac beach is the foremost frequented tourist destination in the area with miles of sand and azure waters.
An 8-kilometre wide beach with a range of watersports, the Flic en Flac boasts long stretches of casuarina trees lining the entire west-facing waterfront. The northern side of flic en flac is a little rocky beach, while the southern side gives you an enchanting view of Tamarin Bay nestled at the foothills of a rocky mountain.
Source
Read More
Citadel Fort Adelaide
With Mauritius being embroiled in a long era of colonial dominance, you would naturally expect to see vestiges of colonial remnants scattered throughout the country. The buildings and structures give you a glimpse into the life and style of living during the colonial era, all the while adding to the old-world charm that former imperial bastions in the country still cling on to. One such crucial colonial monument in Mauritius is the Fort Adelaide.
Nestled at the top of La Petite Montagne, which translates to The Little Mountain, is the Citadel Fort – a picturesque fortification which has long since abandoned its violent and dark history, and turned into one of the best places a tourist can visit while they’re over at Port Louis in Mauritius. Port Louis is the capital of the Mauritius islands, and thus, unrivalled in its beauty and ethereal scenery. Ever since it was erected in the middle of the island back in circa 1834, the Citadel Fort - which is officially registered as Fort Adelaide – has provided for those in control with a strategic 360-degree view of the entire island. The Citadel Fort had been named Fort Adelaide after the wife of King William IV, Queen Consort Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, who was the King of the United Kingdom, and all the colonies held by them.
Source
Read More
Francois Leguat Nature Reserve
While the mainstay of Mauritius is its stellar stretches of white sand beaches and crystal-clear azure lagoons, Mauritius is an exotic island and is home to a plethora of such exotic places that draw as many tourists as its tropical beaches do. Unbeknownst to many, Mauritius is not a lone island in itself but is surrounded by many smaller islets that serve as perfect weekend getaways when you're on a trip to Mauritius. One such island is Rodrigues, which is home to the Francois Leguat Nature Reserve, a very popular nature reserve in the country where you can experience the beauty of Mauritius in all its untouched, untainted glory, far away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the country's tropical tourist destinations.
The François Leguat Reserve was opened in July 2007, and it has been becoming increasingly popular since then, both among the tourists and the local population. The mission behind this reserve was to recreate the original ecosystem of Rodrigues, and it was led by two environmentalists, Owen Griffiths and his wife, Mary-Ann Stanley.
Named after French explorer Francois Legault, the park houses over 2000 giant turtles, as well as thousands of other species of endemic plants. The implementation work in the François Leguat Reserve began in 2005 with the initial step of restoring the landscape of Rodrigues, which is over 300 years old and has been there since the colonisation and its disastrous consequences on the natural environment of the island.
Source
Read More
Frederica Nature Reserve
Mauritius is one such holiday destination which wouldn't fail to surprise you with what this island nation has to offer its guests. This very trait is valid with the Mauritian village in the southeastern part of the island - Bel Ombre. Primarily known for its beach-side beauty lingering with the serene Indian Ocean, Bel Ombre is home for one of the richly diverse nature reserves of Mauritius - the Frederica Nature Reserve. The unblemished fresh environment of lush green tropical forests, views of sublime mountains and splendid waterfalls of the reserve makes it one of a kind.
Source
Frederica Nature Reserve is a place of tranquil beauty. It's mountainous terrains offer the visitors amazing panoramic views, while itÍs vast plains are the perfect place to observe wild animals and it's untouched natural beauty. The reserve is home to several scenic waterfalls, and animals like stags, wild boars, monkeys and several others. The fun part comes when you begin exploring the area, with options to go quad biking or 4x4 off road tours during the day or night, trekking along the hilly terrains or take them on with a mountain bike! The nature reserve offers a variety of adventurous pass times for you, along with serene natural beauty.The Frederica nature reserve covers the ground of 1300 hectares of wildlife emerges you into the open arms of nature. The diverse species of plants and animals of this reserve are protected by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) that puts more emphasis is sustainability and take necessary steps towards reducing the degree of damage caused by the visitors. Moving deeper into the reserve, one can find narrow rivers and breathtaking views of waterfalls. The tourists can stop for a refreshing breather and go for a swim in the fresh waters at the bottom of the cascades. The flora and fauna of the reserve are pretty rich. Frequent sightings of monkeys, Java deer and wild boars can be encountered amidst the dense forests. With some luck, the tourists can catch a glimpse of the rarest bird species like the Mauritian Parakeet and the Mauritian Echo.
Source
Read More
Frederik Hendrik Museum
Frederik Hendrik museum is located in Vieux Grand Port, an isolated and peaceful part of Mauritius, towards the southeastern coast, which holds its importance as a crucial part of Mauritian history. Vieux Grand Port is a historical site, and Frederik Hendrik museum is declared as a National Heritage. It is surrounded by a luscious green tropical garden including a visitors’ centre within the premises. Artefacts retrieved during the archaeological excavations are exhibited in the centre. The excavations in the area are being carried out since 1997. In the campus, you can also see the reproduced historical maps and paintings dating back to the 17th century on display.
Source
Historical Background
Vieux Grand Port is the place of first human settlement in Mauritius. The Dutch came and settled in the island in 1638 after having discovered Mauritius back in 1598. They constructed the Frederik Hendrik port before abandoning the island in 1710. Later in 1715, Mauritius was claimed by the French. They established their government in 1722 with the fort as their central office. After a few years, they shifted their administration to Port Louis and transformed the fortress into a military post to ensure the security of the bay as well as the island. However, when the army position was transferred to the newfound town of Mahebourg in 1806, the fort was abandoned.The year 1998 marked the 400th anniversary of the Dutch arrival in Mauritius and the rehabilitation of Vieux Grand Port. The Frederik Hendrik museum was inaugurated on 27th May 1999 by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Honourable Joseph Tsang Mang Kin.In the beginning, the museum was used for temporary exhibitions related to the activities carried out by the Dutch in the Indian Ocean. The museum received many objects since 1997 that enlarged its collection. The ongoing archaeological and excavation works have a big hand in this contribution. Over the years, many new exhibits displaying the historical relevance of the site have found its place in the museum. Apart from that, the Frederik Hendrik museum is also used as an interpretation centre for the historic site of Vieux Grand Port.
Source
Structure of the Museum
The walls of the Frederik Hendrik fort were made of basalt rocks, mortar, lime, chippings and fossil corals that were cut into blocks. This sparked off a belief that the fort had a French origin. However, it came to be known much later that it was the French ruins that stand on a Dutch fort that has been buried for years. Thanks to the archaeologist and the excavation works that solved this long-unresolved confusion.
Source
Initially, the fort had a lodge, a bakery, a prison and a blacksmiths workshop inside its perimeters. You can find graffiti on the walls of the lodge that depict the ships of the 18th and the 19th century. It was in the year 2000 when the remains of the Dutch Frederik Hendrik for was excavated from beneath the ground.Notre Dame de Grand Pouvoir Church lies in close vicinity to the main ruins. The ruins also contain the first Catholic Church of Mauritius that was established by Mahe de Labourdonnais in the year 1737 and a French-built powder house.
Exhibition Gallery Inside the Museum
The Frederik Hendrik museum has only one display room where all the artefacts and panels are exhibited. A small structure of the site in the Reception room works as an orientation for the visitors. There are several pictures of the ongoing archaeological and excavation activities being undertaken in the site.The Main Hall of the then Frederik Hendrik fort is now the permanent exhibition gallery of the museum. The exhibits are arranged in such a way that the visitors can go through the different themes and learn about the 400 years of use and occupation of this site. Various building materials such as stones, nails, bricks and objects related to the military such as cannonballs, musket balls, flintstones, etc. are on display. You can also find everyday artefacts and elements such as sickles, beads, clay pipes, coins, potteries, ceramics, cooking utensils along with the remains of being like the bones of cattle, pigs, fish, deer, tortoises, shells, etc.
Source
Several documentaries are being projected in the museum that enlightens the visitors more about the historical significance of Vieux Grand Port and Frederik Hendrik fort. Furthermore, a two-month-long archaeological excavation is carried out on the site every year under the supervision of Dutch researchers.A trip to Mauritius is not just about the beaches, lagoons, water sports or adventure activities. Sometimes it is necessary to slow down occasionally, and Mauritius specialises in that too. Visiting the Frederik Hendrik Museum will take you one step closer in knowing the island in a more profound, historical sense. There are amazement and a learning curve to it. After all, you will be going to a place where the origin of this contemporary world-famous paradise island lies. So take a day off from the hustle and bustle of the glittering life, take yourself to the peaceful surroundings in Vieux Grand Port, and explore the ruins along with the centre of attraction – the Frederik Hendrik Museum!
Read More
Galerie du Moulin Casse
Art and culture have been an integral part of Mauritius. Photography and art enthusiasts find plenty of inspiration in the breathtaking landscapes of this paradise island. And where do you find the best of Mauritian art? Galerie du Moulin Casse is the answer!
Galerie du Moulin Casse is the new avatar of an authentically restored sugar mill in Riviere du Rempart, and it now exhibits the vibrant floral paintings of the famous Mauritian painter Malcolm de Chazal and an exquisite collection of photographs by Diane Henry. But what counts as the centre of attraction is the collection of more than 20000 terracotta pots interlining the vaulted arcs of the ceiling.
Source
Read More
Gorges Viewpoint
Located in the heart of Mauritius, the Black River Gorges National Park is an ancient primaeval forest, famous for being the home of endangered species such as the Mauritius Falcon. In earlier times, the extremely hard ebony found in the park was used in making warships in different parts of the world. If you wish to get up-close with nature amidst the abundance of rare plants and unique birds, touring the park on foot is the best option you can think of. The 60-kilometre extended road network inside the park takes more than one day to complete. The best part about the park is the surreal view of this green island from the Gorges Viewpoint. During the 1970s, the place was a picnic spot for the local families. Over the years, with the increasing popularity, it has become a commercial tourist area, and apart from that, the area has been modernised to enhance the experience of the visitors.
Black River Gorges National ParkSourceAfter leaving behind the tourist souvenir stalls on the road between Chamarel and Le Petrin, you will reach the viewpoint at the gorge of the Black River. The wooded and wild valleys extend further ahead to the coast where you can find the tourist centre of Flic en Flac.The Gorges Viewpoint offers a spectacular panoramic view of the endless green stretches. You will be amazed to discover how high the viewing area is from the gorge. On the right side of the viewpoint, you can see a breathtaking waterfall. The path leading to the viewpoint has a unique ambience of its own with some souvenir stalls and very jolly locals who let you experience something nostalgic. Besides, on your way, you come across a group of monkeys that come and greet you as a sign of welcome; however, try not to eat or drink anything before them as they love playing hide and seek with the visitors’ items.View from Black River Gorges National ParkSourceWe recommend you to visit the nearby places of Gorges Viewpoint, especially the town of Chamarel that is famous for its restaurants and food and can serve as an ideal stop for lunch. You probably would not find a better combination of waterfalls and viewpoints. Hence, it's highly recommended that you do not miss to bring your cameras along with you as there will be ample opportunities for amazing photographs!
Read More
Mauritius Travel Packages
View All Travel Packages Mauritius
Nearby Places Mauritius
Browse Package Collections
Browse Hotel Collections
