Plaines Wilhems: Nature and Cultural Heritage in Mauritius

Plaines Wilhems offers nature and cultural themes with clear points of reference for planning your trip: the Monvert Nature Walk and State Land Monvert represent the natural environment, while the Abbé de la Caille Memorial represents local cultural heritage. Mauritius also offers distinctive landscape and historical themes. This lets you tailor your stay to your interests and then search for a hotel that suits you.

Nature in Plaines Wilhems

The Monvert Nature Walk includes a visitor interpretation centre, an arboretum and a fernery. Each of the three features has a different focus: the centre is devoted to interpretation, the arboretum to trees and shrubs, and the fernery to ferns. This offers different ways to explore the natural environment, through interpretation and botanical themes.

State Land Monvert in Forest Side, Curepipe, covers 72 hectares and is native forest. Its size and forest character make it a natural attraction alongside the facilities at the Monvert Nature Walk. The two places have different focuses: the walk features interpretation and botanical areas, while State Land Monvert is native forest covering a specified area. This can help you define the kind of nature experience you want from your trip.

Local cultural heritage

The Abbé de la Caille Memorial is located on the grounds of the Municipality of Curepipe and is listed as national cultural heritage for Plaines Wilhems. This status adds a clear cultural and historical point of reference to the area’s natural attractions. If you want to give different weight to landscapes and history when planning your trip, Plaines Wilhems offers points of interest for both.

More nature and history in Mauritius

On Mauritius, the cultural landscape of Le Morne lies at the island’s southwestern tip; on 10 July 2008, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. It illustrates the history of slavery in Mauritius and the pursuit of freedom in the 17th and 18th centuries. Le Morne also bears witness to Maroon resistance to slavery: the mountain served as a stronghold and refuge for people who had escaped enslavement. Physical and oral evidence attests to this use. At Le Morne, the landscape and its specific historical significance are equally central.

Another natural landmark to compare on Mauritius is Bras d’Eau National Park. It covers 497.2 hectares and is planted mainly with mahogany, araucarias, tecoma and eucalyptus. By contrast, State Land Monvert in Curepipe is 72 hectares of native forest. This allows you to compare both the different sizes and the types of vegetation: native forest on one hand, and predominantly planted tree species on the other.

Bras d’Eau National Park includes Mare Sarcelle, home to mangroves, native plant species and several migratory bird species. The Coq des Bois Trail runs through the forest and ends at Mares Chevrettes. These details give nature lovers two specific points of reference: the habitats at Mare Sarcelle and the route and destination of a named trail.

Mauritius also has a distinctive food culture: dhollpuri and roti are among Mauritians’ favourite dishes. Buses serve various regions of the island and provide a general means of getting to almost anywhere. If you plan to travel by bus, check the latest routes and timetables.

Discover more destinations: Beau Bassin, Ebene, Vacoas-Phoenix, Quatre Bornes, Curepipe, Riviere Du Rempart, Rodrigues, Grand Port.

For the main travel overview: Mauritius.