Discover Le Morne
Accommodation in Le Morne
Le Morne brings together the history of the Maroons and an internationally renowned kitesurfing area. The Le Morne Cultural Landscape served as a refuge for escaped enslaved people in the 18th and early 19th centuries; the waters around the peninsula are considered one of the world’s best kitesurfing areas. Those looking for hotels in Le Morne can consider the destination through these two distinct points of interest.
Heritage and history of Le Morne
The Maroons, escaped enslaved people, established small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne. The mountain’s remote, forested and almost inaccessible cliffs offered protection. The history of the refuge is therefore connected with specific features of the mountain and particular settlement sites.
Oral traditions associated with the Maroons made Le Morne a symbol of the struggle for freedom, the suffering and the sacrifices of enslaved people. This history is also significant for mainland Africa, Madagascar, India and Southeast Asia. The struggle for freedom, suffering and sacrifices represent distinct aspects of this historical memory.
Trou Chenille is considered Le Morne’s first settlement where descendants of enslaved people lived after the abolition of slavery in 1835. This places it in a later period than the history of the refuge in the 18th and early 19th centuries: the lives of descendants after 1835.
SĂ©ga is also part of the history of the former village of Le Morne, which was called Trou Chenille. SĂ©ga evenings were held there every week in the past. On 24 October 1964, the village hosted la Nuit du SĂ©ga. The former weekly evenings and this dated event offer two distinct historical references to SĂ©ga in Le Morne.
Kitesurfing around the peninsula
The waters around the Le Morne peninsula are internationally considered one of the world’s best kitesurfing areas. Kitesurfing is therefore a distinct point of interest for travellers who also consider water sports when choosing a destination. This classification refers to the waters around the peninsula.
More to explore in the wider destination of Black River
In the wider destination of Black River, Trou Chenille is also considered the cradle of settlement in southwestern Mauritius after the abolition of slavery in 1835. A village reconstruction project aims to raise awareness among visitors from Mauritius and abroad and inform them about the former village’s historical and cultural significance. This places Trou Chenille both within the history of Le Morne and in its regional context in Black River.
Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earths is a natural formation of volcanic sand. At Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth, a 3 km trail leads from the main entrance to the dunes and passes two viewpoints overlooking Chamarel Waterfall. Check the latest conditions before your visit. Aldabra giant tortoises can be seen in the Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth Geopark; animal presentations may change.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: La Preneuse, Chamarel, Black River, Petite Riviere, La Gaulette, Albion, Tamarin, Flic En Flac
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