Beyond the exotic beaches and turquoise lagoons in Mauritius, Le Caudan Waterfront was the island of Mauritius's first important commercial development, and it has kept its charm as a contemporary waterfront mall while keeping up with trends. It is a commercial retail and entertainment complex with a broad variety of stores, cafés, restaurants, movie theaters, casinos, the art market, and other types of entertainment that may easily fill your day with unique memories and beautiful things.

Le Caudan Waterfront Complex includes the Caudan Art Centre as one of its venues. This 430-seat theatre, which opened in 2018, connects young and experienced Mauritian performers with the best worldwide shows. A contemporary facility hosts a variety of public arts and cultural events such as plays, concerts, and many types of performances. This meeting and discovery space also has 5 conference rooms, an exhibition area for photographers and artists, a café, and two bars.

The Artists Corner, a pedestrian walkway where local talent is on exhibit, is a vital aspect of your visit. There are paintings, rattan baskets, and handcrafted ornamental objects manufactured by craftsmen with outstanding skill. The Artist Corner is also a gathering place for musicians, dancers, acrobats, and magicians who will give you a joyful introduction to the island's heritage.

Location: Marina Quay, Caudan, Port Louis, Mauritius
Opening hours: 9:12 AM - 7:12 PM
Phone number: +230 211 9500

Rating: 4/5, 1570 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: https://www.caudan.com/

The majority of Mauritius' coastline is peppered with this lovely beach or another fantastic one. While most of them are quite well known among the visitors, there still remain others which are what one would term 'hidden jewels'. La Cuvette Beach, located in the heart of the bustling town of Grand Bay, is a haven for travellers seeking a quiet holiday.

The beach is free of rocks and corals, but it also has the signature crystal clear water with lovely blue hues. Many people visit La Cuvette in order to either spend a quiet day basking in the sun or to enjoy the turquoise waters with a much-needed refreshing dip. If you prefer to spend time in the shade rather than in the sun. La Cuvette beach also offers plenty of trees for anyone seeking cover from the sun.

For those interested in water sports, there are various options accessible at the La Cuvette beach, including underwater sea walks, parasailing, and deep-sea diving, all of which require advance scheduling. Because the beach is so close to Grand Bay, there are numerous facilities around that are only a few minutes away. There are also a few street food vendors on the beach for some local fare.

Location: Grand Baie, Mauritius

Best time to visit: April to June
Rating: 4,5/5, 617 Tripadvisor reviews

The Blue Penny Museum is one of those rare venues that offers tourists an enthralling look of Mauritius' art and history. As a result, it is a must-see for everyone interested in learning more about the country.

The Blue Penny Museum, a piece of history in its own right, encourages you to retrace the paths of explorers who made their imprint on Mauritius. It offers an interactive look at maps and navigation devices from the 16th to 19th centuries, colonial records, and even pieces of art inspired by Paul and Virginie, the fabled pair from Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-novel Pierre's of the same name.

The museum is ideal for business gatherings or high-level cocktail parties. Participating in a cocktail supper, surrounded by marble statues of renowned persons, and enjoying an evening to remember at the Waterfront is one of the greatest Blue Penny Museum experiences. This offer includes the use of the museum's rooms, a private guided tour of the current exhibition, and cocktail-style dinners. The whole program may be tailored to your needs, and the museum will work with you to create the ideal corporate event.

Location: Dans Caudan Water Front, Port Louis, Mauritius

Opening hours: 10 AM - 4:30 PM

Phone number: +230 210 9204
Rating: 4/5, 343 Tripadvisor review
Website: https://www.bluepennymuseum.com/

The Jummah Mosque, popularly known as the "Mosque of the Arabs," is an 1850s mosque in Port Louis, Mauritius. The structure has elements of Indian, Creole, and Islamic architecture. The bones of Jamal Shah are kept in a marble mausoleum near to the Jummah Mosque.

The rising Muslim community in Port-Louis required a larger mosque, so between 1857 and 1877, Muslim businessmen purchased seven separate lots around the mosque totaling 0.30 hectares and gave them to the mosque. Jackaria Jan Mahomed oversaw the enlargement construction, which began in 1878. Building materials and artisans supervised by Ishaq Mistry were transported from India, but sickness among the workers and a lack of construction supplies delayed completion until 1895. Except for a tiny plot of land leased to businesses, the expanded mosque took up an entire block.

The architecture of the mosque is a fusion of Moorish and Mughal elements. The historic former Arab Mosque, adorned by glass chandeliers, was included as the primary prayer space in the new edifice. An Indian almond or badamia tree is in the center of the mosque's courtyard, and it was already there on the two plots of land bought in 1852.

Location: Royal Road, A1, Queen St, Port Louis, Mauritius

Opening hours: 9 AM - 4 PM

Phone number: +230 242 1129
Rating: 4/5, 83 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: https://jummahmasjid.org/

The year 1745 is remembered as the year of the first Chinese colonization in Mauritius. Since then, the island has seen a steady stream of Chinese immigrants. As a result, Chinatown is one of the most appealing locations in Port Luis. Despite being smaller and less dynamic than its Asian rivals, Mauritius' Chinatown is gradually regaining prominence owing to the efforts of the New Chinatown Foundation.

The streets have been revitalized with the installation of new colored garbage cans, wooden businesses, and walls that date back to the mid-1800s, when they were erected by enthusiastic migrant workers wanting to claim a tiny slice of a new world for themselves. With a plethora of street artists and the annual Chinatown Food and Cultural Festival, it has contributed significantly to placing Chinatown on the map.

It has long been a commerce centre, with a history spanning more than 160 years. Whether you're a fan of street art or simply want to experience some of the greatest Sino-Mauritian cuisine, visiting Chinatown in Port Louis is a must.

Location: Dr Sun Yat Sen Street, Port Louis, Mauritius

Opening hours: Always open
Rating: 3/5, 316 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: https://mauritiuschinatown.com/contact-us/

Fort Adelaide is another name for the Port Louis Citadel. It is a fortress erected on a hill overlooking the port between 1834 and 1840. The ease with which the British took Mauritius in 1810 prompted the invaders to fortify the island's fortifications. The British quickly constructed a number of forts, including Fort George, Fort Adelaide, Fort William, and Fort Victoria. Only Fort Adelaide is still standing today.

The construction of a fort to provide defensive assistance in the case of an invasion or uprising was subsequently allowed; the hill of Port Louis was chosen as a strategic location providing control of the city, port, and mountain slopes. A few pieces of an older fort built in 1743 by Antoine Marie Desforges-Boucher were integrated southeast of the current structure's foundations.

From the mountain's peak, you can see Port Louis and the ancient racetrack. Adelaide Castle is the name of the mountain fortification. Looking at Fortress Hill from various viewpoints reveals the various styles it displays to visitors. Horse racing may also be seen from Fortress Mountain. The seascape, particularly the view of the port, dominates the other side. On this side, you can view the fort and the telescope, as well as the distant countryside at a closer distance via the telescope. There are some tiny stores in the picturesque area of Fortress Mountain where photography is not permitted, and the items offered are rather pricey.

The fort's mission evolved throughout time, and it now serves as a venue for cultural projects such as concerts, shows, and other events. It has lately become a haven of leisure and exploration, with a museum, a café, an art gallery, and stalls in addition to guided tours.

Location: Sevastopol St, Port Louis, Mauritius

Opening hours: 8 AM - 4 PM

Phone number: N/A

Entrance fee: Free
Rating: 3,5/5, 577 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: N/A

La Place D'Armes is considered the city's heart and is known as the greatest historical site in Port Louis. Although separated from the harbor by a freeway, it is located in the center of the commercial area and can be seen from afar due to the massive century-old palm palms that border it and give it part of its personality.

When entering the area from the harbor, look for the magnificent monument of Mahé de La Bourdonnais, carved in 1859 by the French artist Dumont and facing the sea. The Hôtel du Gouvernement, directly across the street, is the gem of the Place d'Armes. Originally constructed in wood in 1725, it was consolidated and extended in 1738 by Mahé de La Bourdonnais and subsequent French administrators who added wings and storeys. The structure is constructed of wood and freestone, with a shingle roof and circular verandas.

The Legislative Council has met there since 1857, as has a portion of the National Assembly. Only renowned visitors are permitted to enter, particularly at the commencement of Parliament. Statues of persons who shaped the island's history and actively engaged in the nation's growth have been placed in the garden covered by colorful trees: Queen Victoria. The Place d'Armes also has monuments from the city's architectural heritage and it is the oldest place in Port Luis.

Location: Intendance St, Port Louis, Mauritius

Opening hours: All days
Rating: N/A
Website: N/A

Street art has emerged as a super-trendy addition to many regions throughout the world. Contemporary urban settings in the UK, such as Manchester's Northern Quarter, London's Soho and Shoreditch, and Easton in Bristol, have all welcomed colorful iconography. Mauritius appears to be blazing a stylish path across the Indian Ocean. The earliest street artworks in Mauritius began on Bourbon Street but rapidly extended to other parts of Port Louis, such as Chinatown and the Caudan Waterfront.

The New Chinatown Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural history of Mauritius' Chinatown. They commissioned some of the most skilled painters to create many street art pieces around Chinatown in order to showcase Mauritius as a growing tourism destination. All of the artworks are in Chinese styles and have a Chinese spirits, as seen on Emmanuel Anquetil Street and Venpin Street (also known as Manga Street).

The Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis also boasts a large collection of street art, particularly near the "Granary," which is now a parking lot. The Caudan Artworks Center Building has the following street arts. There are several concepts with varying sources of inspiration from artists that color the distinctive and special things for the Caudan Waterfront.

Location: Emmanuel Anquetil Building, Venpin St, Port Louis, Mauritius
Opening hours: All days

Rating: N/A

Website: N/A

The Aapravasi Ghat in Port-Louis is the location of an immigrant station, from which the current indentured labor Diaspora developed. The Depot was erected in 1849 to welcome indentured laborers as part of the 'Great Experiment' on the island's sugar fields. The success of the 'Great Experiment' in Mauritius led to its adoption by other colonial powers beginning in the 1840s, culminating in a global exodus of more than two million indentured laborers, over half of whom came to Mauritius.

Aapravasi Ghat's structures are among the earliest clear expressions of what would become a worldwide economic system. The Aapravasi Ghat site is the solitary remaining example of this unusual contemporary diaspora and a significant historical witness to indenture in the 19th century. It represents not only the evolution of the modern system of contractual labor, but also the memories, traditions, and values that these men, women, and children carried with them when they left their countries of origin to work in foreign lands and which they subsequently bequeathed to their millions of descendants, for whom the site holds great symbolic significance. In 2006, UNESCO designated Aapravasi as a World Heritage Site.

Location: Ex-DWC Building, 1 Quay St, Port Louis, Mauritius

Opening hours: 9 AM - 4 PM

Phone number: +230 217 7770

Entrance fee: Free
Rating: N/A
Website: https://aapravasi.govmu.org/aapravasi/?page_id=816

There is no question that Mauritius has numerous stunning beaches and unique wildlife and flora, but did you know that it also has the Southern Hemisphere's oldest racecourse? The Champ de Mars Racecourse is a well-known landmark in Port Luis. The Mauritius Turf Club, the oldest horse-racing club in the Southern Hemisphere and the second oldest in the world, opened the racecourse in 1812.

The event, which included the flag hoisting ceremony, was conducted here when Mauritius attained independence in 1968. For many years, the racecourse has hosted the yearly celebration of the country's independence. Today, the Champ de Mars attracts tens of thousands of spectators on each race day during the racing season, which begins in April and runs until the final week of November, with most races taking place on weekends. They transform into the greatest gathering place for racing enthusiasts from all across the island and even from beyond.

The track has also played an important part in elevating horse racing to the status of the most popular sport and source of entertainment among the local community. The racing track's infrastructure is expected to please horse racing lovers all around the world. If you come during the week to appreciate the peace and quiet and the infrastructure, you will be able to observe the race track from the outside and get a sense of the location.

Location:9 Dauphine St, Port Louis, Mauritius
Opening hours: 9 AM - 4 PM
Phone number: +230 212 2212
Entrance fee: Free

Best time to visit: March to December

Rating: N/A

Website: N/A