Culture
A trip to Mauritius would be incomplete without an immersion into its culture. The cultural richness of Mauritius comes from the diversity of the many communities living there. There were no indigenous people on the Island. Mauritian people are mainly from European, Asian and African descent. This is reflected in their cuisine and their places of worship and music. Everything in the Mauritian life brings you back to the diversity and cultural richness of the population. This is apparent when visiting many local village which often have a catholic church, a mosque, a Hindu and a Tamilian temples.
Grand Baie is a lively village bustling with travel agencies, banks, restaurants, bars, and the Sunset Boulevard shopping mall. It offers excellent tax-free shopping opportunities, and the bay itself provides a stunning panoramic view of turquoise waters. If you need anything, the Super U supermarket with parking is at your disposal. Additionally, La Croisette, a large shopping complex with a cinema, awaits you on the outskirts of Grand Baie. Afterward, don’t forget to visit the beautiful public beach at Mon Choisy.
The northern coastal road is very attractive and will take you through the tiny fishing village of Cap Malheureux and Pereybere, a busy little place with an attractive public beach and a few cafés. There are some beautiful homes along this stretch of coastline worth millions of Mauritian rupees! Take one of the minor roads off the coast road and you will be surrounded by sugar cane, still Mauritius’ number one cash crop. The fields seem endless and the plants at least twice the height of a standard car!
As the capital city, Port Louis can be quite busy, particularly during peak hours. While it has a modern business centre, we recommend visiting the colourful market, the Chinese Pagoda, and the Caudan
Located in Moka, just eight miles south of Port Louis, Eureka House is known as the best-preserved colonial mansion on the island. Built in the 1830s, it opened as a museum in 1986. Its tranquil location away from the main towns makes it a perfect visit, especially on a hot day.
– Le Demeure Saint Antoine
– Chateau De Labourdonnais
I would recommend this gallery in Grand Baie which is owned by a delightful French painter called Françoise Vrot. Francoise came to Mauritius as an art student 18 years ago and fell in love with the island and with a Mauritian. Mauritius is now her home. I have commissioned her to do four paintings for me and have been delighted with her work.Reservoir Road, Grand Baie Tel +230 263 5118, www.galerievrot.wix.com/francoisevrot
If you are interested in purchasing paintings or prints of Mauritius, I would recommend Gallery Hélène de Senneville (Tel: 00230 263 7426) near Trou aux Biches. She has a selection of mostly Mauritian art, some done in a traditional style, including very attractive land and seascapes of the island. She also has shops at the Caudan Centre in Port Louis and one in Curepipe.
The Institute of Contemporary Art Indian Ocean (ICAIO) in the centre of Port Louis was founded by one of the island’s most respected artists, Salim Curimjee, in 2015. Free to visit, it has four exhibitions a year, featuring international artists and twice weekly workshops for children 8-10 years old. It opens from 830 to 1630 Monday to Friday. Tel: +230 240 8235, www.icaio.org
Patrick Mavros is a family business with its roots in Africa. The Patrick Mavros Atelier, meaning “workshop” is a must for any visitor to Mauritius. Forbes Mavros and his wife Kate are personal friends of mine, and its where I do a lot of my own shopping. The building itself is a stunning historic metal foundry made of Mauritian lava stone, and open plan, so you can see the master craftsmen at work creating intricate pieces of art inspired by nature. It’s well located for those staying in the north and can be combined with a visit to L’ Aventure du Sucre and lunch at Chateau de Labourdonnais. Their other stores are in London, Harare and Nairobi. Beau Plan, Pamplemousses
Tel: +230 249 1333, Mobile: +230 498 0500, www.patrickmavros.com
Located between Grand Baie and Mon Choisy, this is one of the best restaurants on the island and specialises – as the name suggests – in seafood. The setting is fabulous – as are their prices! Coastal Road, Trou aux Biches Tel +230 265 6337, www.lepescatore.com
This is a great choice for lunch if you enjoy seafood. Bella Amigo distributes fish to all the top hotels and restaurants on the island and they have set up their own restaurant. I have not personally been in the evening so cannot comment on the ambience but it’s a top spot for lunch. The restaurant is situated in the interior surrounded by sugar cane fields about 10 minutes’ drive out of Grand Baie. The main dining is on a large outdoor terrace with a swimming pool that children can enjoy. The food is fresh and delicious and is very reasonably priced. Royal Road, Mont Mascal, Petit Raffray Tel +230 282 1414, www.restaurantreve.com
Dine on gourmet seasonal home-cooked French-style fare on a large terrace surrounding a swimming pool at this newish restaurant ideally located between Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie. The chef/owner Thomas Troyaux ran restaurants in Cannes and Antibes on the French Riviera, and it shows in the excellent, elegant cuisine. Royal Road, Pointe aux Cannoniers, Tel +230 268 0326, https://maisonblancherestaurant.com
This hidden gem set back from the bustling town of Goodlands is a truly lovely historic family-owned colonial house in a beautiful, peaceful setting. From the freshly baked bread rolls to the ornate and beautiful antique china, white linen and lacy tablecloths and pretty garden flowers
everything is beautifully presented with thoughtful attention to detail, and the elegant verandah overlooks the garden. Goodlands Tel +230 282 1823, http://lademeuresaintantoine.com
On Grand Baie waterfront, this very reasonably priced restaurant specialises in seafood and has lovely sea views. It’s an excellent choice for lunch. Grand Baie Tel: +230 263 6867, www.lecapitaine.mu
This newly opened restaurant behind the Royal Palm hotel is run by an Italian family and serves authentic and really delicious Italian cuisine. Grand Baie Tel: +230 268 0681, https://sincontru-mu.com
Located in the Super U complex on the outskirts of Grand Baie, this unassuming restaurant offers truly authentic Indian cuisine. The food is excellent and the staff are very friendly. It’s also reasonably priced. Super U Complex, Grand Baie Tel +230 263 2241
In walking distance of the Royal Palm, this intimate restaurant, with room for just 40 people, offers fresh, delicious and very flavoursome authentic Indian cuisine. With a hands on owner and manager, it’s a top choice in Grand Baie. Coastal Road, Grand Baie Tel +230 263 8817, https://the- garden-by-happy-rajah.business.site/
This, fun South African run beachfront restaurant serves salads and light meals. Perfect for lunch as the views over Grand Baie are stunning. Grand Baie Tel +230 263 2599, www.thebeachhouse.mu
This small romantic bijou hotel is the only Relais Chateaux hotel in Mauritius, which is reflected in their cuisine. It is ideal for something cosy and different and is particularly good for a candlelit dinner. Coastal Road, Pointe Malartic, Grand Baie Tel +230 263 5000, www.20degressud.net
This popular restaurant offers really top quality Mediterranean-style cuisine and interesting dishes, including tapas and daily fresh fish – baked palm heart with crab au gratin is the best. Their wine list is reasonably extensive but you can also take your own and pay a minimum for corkage. Staff are attentive and friendly. Sunset Boulevard, Grand Baie Tel +230 263 8836
Located in the middle of a sugar cane field in Trou d’eau Douce, this unique restaurant and art gallery lies in a converted old Sugar Cane Mill. The owner, Jocelyn, is a bon vivant Franco/ Spaniard who lives between Mauritius and Monaco and St Tropez. He originally set the restaurant up in memory of his artistic mother and displays many of her paintings. Dinner is the best time to go, and admire the art work over a cocktail while the chef prepares a banquet. It is however, expensive. Trou d’eau Douce, Tel +230 480 0220/+230 5421 0977 (mobile), www.maniglier.com
Offering typical local Mauritian cuisine, including venison curry. This simple restaurant, is set on a clifftop overlooking the historic bay where the British fought the French for sovereignty of Mauritius. We went there as part of a day at La Vallée de Ferney estate, who offer nature trekking, with sightings of the Mauritius kestrel. Tel +230 634 0440, www.ferney.mu
This is a local place with an informal atmosphere. Their mix of warm spices make chicken Creole a decidedly Mauritian curry to savour. It specialises in sea food, especially lobster, at excellent prices. Route Royale, Trou D’Eau Douce Tel +230 480 2769, https://chez-tino.restaurant.mu/en
This gastronomic restaurant offering lunch and dinner in a private residence in Floreal is owned by the Grande Dame of Mauritian cuisine, Jacqueline Dalais and frequented by well-heeled residents and local dignitaries. Booking is essential. Floreal, Tel +230 686 3458, www.laclefdeschamps.mu
Lunch with a view in Chamarel. This restaurant nestled in tropical gardens on the village outskirts offers a fresh seasonal game menu with stunning views over the reef to Le Morne. Chamarel Tel +230 483 5710
I would highly recommend lunch at the L’Alchemiste restaurant at the Rhumerie du Chamarel. The gourmet menu is varied and interesting and incorporates rum where possible and appropriate. It is very popular and gets busy so book to avoid disappointment. Chamarel Tel +230 483
4980, www.rhumeriedechamarel.com
This restaurant is housed in a classic original French colonial residence which 200 years ago, was the sugar baron’s home. It offers fresh locally sourced food with a French-Mauritian flair, on its elegant veranda. Rivière des Anguilles Tel +230 626 1819, www.saintaubin.mu
This shabby chic island eatery on Le Morne Peninsula offers an eclectic blend of cuisine from the Indian Ocean. Run by the imaginative Austrian Chef Willi who once presided over the kitchen at the five star Shanti Maurice hotel, the artisanal food is excellent. Le Morne Brabant Tel +230 450 5641, https://wapalapam.com
The best-known of Grand Baie’s watering holes, with a relaxed vibe and live music nightly. It’s a place to try a local Phoenix or Blue Marlin beer and mingle with the locals. Royal Road, Tel +230 263 8540, email: banana@intnet.mu
This lively oasis off the bustling Grand Baie streets attracts a young set. More of a bar/pub, it has a great atmosphere for a cocktail, but possibly not for dinner. It serves fairly mediocre food, specialising in seafood and Italian, including Pizza. On Sunday evenings it only serves pizza. Royal Road, Grand Baie. Tel +230 263 1241, www.c coloko.net
