Mauritius is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, encircled by azure waters and busy coral
reefs. With lush rainforests and dreamy beaches aplenty, the picturesque views to be found
here make Mauritius the perfect holiday destination.
But aside from the beautiful scenery, this island has much to offer for history buffs or
inquisitive travellers. Let’s take a look at three places you should visit to explore Mauritius’
fascinating history.
Port Louis
Mauritius was uninhibited until Arab sailors began to explore its shores in the 10th Century.
In the 16th Century the Dutch were the first to formally settle on the island, naming it after
Prince Maurice. However, the island was abandoned by the early 1700s and it was left for
the use of pirates for many years. Eventually the French came to settle here, and renamed it
‘Isle de France’, establishing Port Louis as a naval base. Beautiful relics from these periods
of early exploration can be found in the Blue Penny Museum and the Natural History
Museum in Port Louis.
Valleé de Ferney
The island was used as a trading post for the French East India Company, who used African
slaves to grow sugarcane on the island. In Valleé de Ferney you can find an example of an
old sugarcane factory, surrounded by an ancient forest with numerous hiking trails winding
through the lush landscape.
The Napoleonic War led to the British taking control of the island in 1814, when they
changed its name back to Mauritius but allowed French customs, law and language to
remain. After the abolition of slavery, Indian workers continued to work sugarcane on the
island. Mauritius eventually became independent and is now one of the richest countries on
the African continent.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
Built for the first Prime Minister of the now independent island of Mauritius, these gardens
are magnificently beautiful and are open to the public. Giant amazonica water lilies cover the
blissful ponds between tropical palms and vibrant fauna of many varieties. There are many
birds and animals which call the gardens home and frequently greet visitors.
Unique heritage
Wherever you look on the blissful island of Mauritius, the vibrance of its mixed and diverse
history is clear. From language to dining, the collection of European, African and Indian
heritages make every experience here unique.
