Mauritius: World Heritage, History and Nature

On the southwestern tip of Mauritius lies the cultural landscape of Le Morne. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 10 July 2008. Its significance connects the site to the history of slavery and the quest for freedom—a historical focus alongside the island’s landscapes and culinary themes.

Le Morne and the History of Resistance

The cultural landscape illustrates the history of slavery in Mauritius and the quest for freedom in the 17th and 18th centuries. The mountain served as a fortress and refuge for enslaved people who had escaped; physical and oral evidence attests to this use. As an expression of Maroon resistance to slavery, Le Morne also brings oppression and the struggle for freedom into focus. The connection between place, period and resistance gives this part of the island’s history a tangible outline.

Historic Sites and Different Periods

Vieux Grand Port and Aapravasi Ghat offer another perspective on the past. The historic site of Vieux Grand Port is considered the site of the first human settlement in Mauritius. Between 1834 and 1920, almost half a million indentured workers from India arrived at Aapravasi Ghat. They were to work on Mauritius’s sugar plantations or be transported onward to Réunion, Australia, southern and eastern Africa, or the Caribbean. These sites thus point to different historical themes: Vieux Grand Port to the first settlement, and Aapravasi Ghat to the arrival of Indian indentured workers and their work or onward journey. Together with Le Morne, they help frame the island’s history in terms of settlement, indentured labour and resistance to slavery.

Nature Between Forest and Sea

Bras d’Eau National Park covers 497.2 hectares and is planted mainly with mahogany, araucarias, tecoma and eucalyptus. Mare Sarcelle is part of this national park and is home to mangroves, native plant species and several migratory bird species. The Coq des Bois Trail passes through the forest and ends at Mares Chevrettes.

Blue Bay Marine Park adds a marine ecosystem with diverse marine fauna and flora, particularly a varied coral community, to the nature-focused attractions. This makes it possible to compare the forest and plant life of Bras d’Eau with the species-rich marine ecosystem of Blue Bay. This distinction can help you plan the nature-focused part of your trip around the landscapes that interest you.

Cuisine and the Market

Food can also be a focus of your trip: dhollpuri and roti are among Mauritians’ favourite dishes. The market on Farquhar Street has sections for fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing and spices. Market sections can change; check what is currently on offer before your visit.

Getting Around the Island

Port Louis is the only port on the island of Mauritius. Bus services operate in different regions and make it possible to travel to almost anywhere on the island. If you plan to travel by bus, check the latest routes and timetables.

First decide whether history, nature, cuisine or a mix of these will shape your stay in Mauritius.

Discover more destinations: Flacq, Grand Port, Riviere Du Rempart, Savanne, Rodrigues, Moka, Port Louis, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Black River.

For the broader travel overview: Africa.