The harbour lies sheltered in a semi-circle of mountains. The town has plenty of character, and shows in certain quarters signs of its past elegance.
Off the main square, palm-lined Place d'Armes, there are some particularly fine French colonial buildings; especially we have the Government house and the Municipal Theatre, which were built during the 18th century. There are also two eye catching Cathedrals, Anglican and Catholic and also a mosque. The Supreme Court and natural history museum are also based in Port Louis.
Moreover there is the Worldwide Masks museum, which is a private Museum at the heart of the unique and historic site of the 'Parcours Culturel', situated at the Old Council Road, Port Louis. It displays a wonderful collection of various tribal masks from Africa, America, Asia and Oceania.
Chamarel
A twisting road leads from Case Noyal village to the coloured earth at Chamarel. It is one of the oldest sites on the island and is also known as the Seven Coloured Earth.
This is a mound of undulating land stretching in contrasting layers of colour, and the patches of blue, green, red, purple and yellow earth are believed to be the result from the weathering of volcanic rocks. The nearby Chamarel waterfalls emerges from the moors and primeval vegetation and is startlingly beautiful
Pamplemonsses Garden
Pierre Poivre created Pamplemonsses garden in 1767 in the Estate of the French Governor Mahe de Labourdonnais. His Chateau known as 'Mon Plaisir', which was built in 1735, can still be admired there. The garden has a collection of indigenous and exotic plants, including the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies, many species of palm trees especially the unique talipot palm, said to flower once every sixty years and then die.
Grand Bassin
Grand Bassin rests in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is a place of pilgrimage for large number of Mauritius of Hindu faith, especially on the occasion of Maha Shivratree, which is celebrated in the month of February.
Ile Anx Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs attracts large numbers of holiday - makers on the east coast. Tourists enjoy the beach and lagoon for water sports or sunbathing, restaurants and several souvenir stalls. Moreover, on the island, there is a boathouse where one can hire water skis, sailboards, Laser dinghies, canoes and surfcats. You can also walk around the sea half of the island.
Black River George
This 6,574 hectare park, proclaimed in 1994, protects much of the remaining native forests of Mauritius and provides opportunities for the visitor to enjoy spectacular natural scenery and some of the unique endemic plants and bird life. The National Park is easily reached from Vacoas or Curepipe, via La Marie and Mare aux Vacoas. At le Petrin a visitor information center has been set up with picnic facilities. A boardwalk provides access to the typical dwarf forest of the region and a fenced conservation management area (from which invasive non - native plants have been removed) protects a sample of the remaining healthland. There is also a number of longer walking trails, including one to the island's highest point, Black River Peak (828 m).
Events and Festivals
Maha Shivratri
The festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, in the month of February. Following an all night vigil, Hindu devotees, clad in white, carry the "kanwar" - wooden arches covered with flowers- in pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, to fetch holy water from the lake. The whole scene is reminiscent of the great rituals on the banks of the Holy Ganges in India.
Diwali
The festival of lights- Diwali is celebrated in October/November. Diwali marks the victory of Rama over Ravana and also commemorates Krishna's destruction of the demon Narakasuran. Earthen oil lamps are placed in front of every home turning the island into a fairyland of flickering lights.
Father Laval
In September people of all faiths flock to the shrine of Father Jacques Desire Laval in Ste Croix, Port Louis. You can almost catch a glimpse of Lourdes in the fervor of the great crowds who attributes miraculous healing powers to Father Laval.
Id-EI-Fitr
Id is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Prayers are offered at mosques during the day.
Holi
The Hindu festival of colors - Holi is celebrated with many colors. Essentially, it is a festival of revelry when men and women enjoy themselves by squirting colored water and powder on one another. It is a time for rejoicing and exchanging greetings.
Ougadi
Ougadi or the Telegu New Year is celebrated in the month of March.
Ganesh Charturthi
The birthday of Ganesha, the God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi, just like India.
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