Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius.

Get in

From the International Airport, head north-west and follow the signs "Port-Louis" (Port-Louis is at the opposite side of the island, at about two hours drive).

Get around

Port-Louis at night

The city of Port-Louis has played a leading part in the struggle between the French and British occupation (1735-1935) and was considered during that period as `the star and the key of the Indian Ocean`. There are many historical places and buildings to visit. It is also one of the best place to learn and appreciate more about the Mauritian cultures and traditions.

See

• Aapravasi Ghat, ex-Coolie ghat - a World Heritage Site. It was the landing point for the indentured labourers, mainly from India, in the 19th century, following the abolition of slavery in 1834. Its symbolical significance has been highlighted in the aesthetics of coolitude, devised by poet and semiologist Khal Torabully.

• Corner House - A fabulous stationery shop, selling all kinds of wonderful pens, pencils and books. Excellent service and great range of goods. Has the most eccentric shopkeeper. Worth visiting just to see him.

• Caudan Waterfront.

• China Town where you will find Chinese shops and restaurants. You may also find some Chinese pharmacies.

• The Stamp Museum, Mauritius Natural History Museum and the Blue Penny Museum. The Mauritius blue penny and penny orange from 1847 are among the rarest stamps in the world, and you can view them here along with a plethora of other rare cultural and historical artifacts from the island.

• Champs de Mars horse racing track. Free access. To get a nice view on the races, climb to the Citadelle on the neighbouring hill.

• 1 Citadelle (Fort Adelaide). Built in basalt by the United Kingdom in 1840, it is the only remaining fort from this period of the island. A 30 minutes walk from downtown, it gives a wonderful view on the whole city. free. 

• 2 St Louis Cathedral. 

• 3 Jummah Mosque. Rare proof of the skills of Indian, mainly, Tamil craftsmen, who also built temples and churches. A haven of peace in the middle of this busy capital. 

• Port Louis market known as Bazaar Port Louis where you find local products, cheap clothings and spices from Mauritius.

• Port Louis Theatre

• Travellers' Lane, in Jardin des Compagnies, with travellers' texts ranging from Marco Polo, Duarte Barbosa to Ahmad bin Majid, as devised by poet and semiologist Khal Torabully, a travel writer born in Port-Louis and Al Idrissi's planisphere.

Do

Caudan Waterfront

Visit the caudan Waterfront, a meeting place for teenagers and young lovers, which comprises a shopping centre, kiddyland and a huge foodcourt catering for all tastes.

And if you want to have a glimpse of Mauritian life, go to the Port-Louis Market where varieties of exotic food, fruits and other items are sold. There you will meet Mauritians from all over the country who have come for shopping.

Buy

Port-Louis is famous in Mauritius for the low price of clothes sold there. Imported from China or India, or made locally, the articles sold in Port-Louis really offer value for money. You can easily get something of your choice from the numerous hawkers found all along the streets in the city.

Mauritian food is a mouthwatering menagerie of international flavors, with delicious Creole curries, cuisines from all over Africa, Southeast Asia and India, and an abundance of fresh seafood that has never been frozen or shipped on an airplane.

Eat

Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Drink

Phoenix Pale Ale locally called spider beer

Sleep

Splurge

• 1 Le Suffren Hotel and Marina, ☏ +230 202 4900.  Nice hotel located on the waterfront (Le Caudan Waterfront)

Cope

Embassies and consulates

• Canada, 18 Jules Koenig Street, c/o Blanche Birger Co. Ltd., Port Louis, ☏ +230 212-5500, fax: +230 208-3391, canada@intnet.mu. Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 12:00. 

• Egypt, Sun Trust Building, 2nd floor, Edith Cavell Street Port Louis, PO Box 30, ☏ +230 2131767, fax: +230 2131768, egyptianembassy@hotmail.com. 08:30 - 16:00. 

• Greece, P.O. Box 747, Bell Village, Port Louis, Mauritius, ☏ +230 212-0906, fax: +230 212-0910. 
• United Kingdom, 7th floor, Cascade Building, Edith Cavell Street, P.O. Box 1063, Port Louis, ☏ +230 202-9408, fax: +230 202-9408, bhc@intnet.mu. Monday to Thursday 07:45-15:45, Friday 07:45-13:45. 
• United States, 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue. P.O Box 544, Port Louis, ☏ +230 202-4400, fax: (230) 208-9534NOCC, usembass@intnet.mu.