More than many other island destinations, the beauty of the Mascareignes continues to embody the ultimate tropical holiday, the idyllic setting where to eat its honeymoon, the cool resort where to spend good time with family… At source: A lagoon to pale the sky, a generous and polychrome nature, an internationally renowned hotel, and above all a population whose kindness and hospitality have never denied the legend…
The North: the most touristic region
Bordered by two of the most beautiful beaches on the island (Trou-aux-Biches and Mont-Choisy), it is the most frequented region in Mauritius and the most popular tourist infrastructure. Hotels of all kinds, various rentals, restaurants of various cuisines, multiple activities… Welcome to the Mauritius Riviera, the only real place on the island enjoying a real nightlife! Epicenter of this renowned shopping area: the small town of Grand-Baie, which borders an outstanding turquoise anse, but suffers from the syndrome of "acute concreonnite ╩" ╩! It doesn't matter, just a few scratches are taking place with nicer coves… At the extreme north, on the Cap-Unfortunate side, a lovely Creole church with a red sheet of red plate observes an impressive island, flanked by a steep cliff: The Corner of Mire. On the high seas, distance from sailboat or catamaran, two other preserved pieces of land, the Gabriel Island and Plate Island, await the Happy Robinsons: diving in apnea, stuffing on immaculate sand, grilled…
Inside the land, an agricultural estate planted with flowers and fruit trees (Domaine de La Bourdonnais) reveals to walkers and cyclists all the curious beauty of exotic plants. And, more to the center, one of the world's most famous parks: the famous Botanical Garden of Pamplemousses, created in the eighteenth century under the impulse of French governors. A trip usually coupled with the excellent Sugar Adventure Museum which tells the colonial history of Mauritius.
Port-Louis and the West Region
Capital of human size, Port-Louis, west, is the only port area on the island. There is no beach in this urban section that two of Mauritius' highest mountains are bordering and deserving of a few hours. It is a vibrant and eclectic metropolis, where modern buildings juxtapose historic houses.
A cultural route connects museums (excellent Blue Penny Museum ╩) and historic monuments (mosques, theater…), not without getting lost in the Grand Bazar of Port-Louis: a souk market, where artisanal products flirt with local products!
Farther west by heading south, the seaside resumes its rights, particularly at the height of Flic-en-Flac where large hotels and leasehold homes border kilometers of white sand. The landscapes are steeper and wild and sometimes take a look at savannah, particularly in the heart of Casela's park where you can even walk with lions: an ideal area for a family day (chairs, zoo, quad…) ↓!
The region is versatile and is suitable for many tourists: shops, beautiful beaches and green and nautical activities, like one of the western flagship attractions, swimming with dolphins! But this part of the coast also attracts the large-scale fishing enthusiasts from all over the world tracking the big predators ↓!
In the extreme southwest, one of the most sumptuous sites on the island, the Morne Peninsula, has an immense sugar bread, whose wild cliffs protect a beautiful beach. It is the holiday resort of the kiteers (excellent spot at the south-eastern point), but also of the calm, luxury (only 4 and 5 stars), seaside and eco-tourism (wild south nearby).
Authentic South and Inland Lands
Preserved, little built, the South is the most authentic region of the island, the one chosen by holidaymakers seeking an exclusive haven and green activities as well as seaside. In the direction of Mahébourg, a city with a true cachet (shops, markets…), the coastal road unveils a less wise ocean, bordered by black cliffs and wavy waves (Gray Gray site), to the Blue Bay marine park where the lagoon resumes its rights. There, in the extreme southeast, the Mauritian coast reveals what it has most beautiful: intense blue and coral reef with wonderful shapes. Small pensions and rentals are there and the few major hotels never 'aligned‚.
Within the land, nature offers a thousand facets: gorges (those of the Black River) that are discovered by a landscape road, portions of primary forest, beautiful waterfalls falling in circuses, seven-color land (Chamarel)… Another face of Mauritius, currently booming and complementary to the seaside offer. Stay in the lodges in the middle of nature, as comfortable as hotels but much more exclusive. Walk, canyoning, treks, lunches in houses of another era (Saint-Aubin, Château de Bel Ombre), family recreation in the reserve of Mascareignes (crocodiles, giant turtles, insectarium…), overflight of a tyrolean ravine (the deer-flying)… Activities are numerous and accessible to all: A real bowl of air!
Eastern Region: luxury, calm and seaside recreation
Although a succession of hotels bordering the coastline in the areas of Trou-d 'Eau-Douce and Belle-Mare, it is a rather quiet area where there are mainly luxury establishments (3 to 5 stars).
No big city nearby, but a lagoon much larger than elsewhere and offering beautiful canoeing opportunities. Highlight of this section: the island at Cerfs, its dream beaches and lagoon rounding like a drop. Every day sailboats, catamarans and motorboats embark on hundreds of tourists, not without passing through the lush estuary of the Grande Rivière Southeast which closes a waterfall.
But the hinterland also includes a few major areas, such as the Star where quad, foot and mountain bike walks usually end with a Creole lunch in a lovely hunting camp. Beyond its seaside charms, Mauritius has strong attractions to seduce travelers looking for a versatile destination, alternating nautical leisure, green excursions and cultural discoveries.
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When is it? The climate is pleasant all year round, but the months of October-November and April-May are particularly appreciable. From mid-December to late March, minor risk of cyclone.
Go there. Daily flights from Paris. The flight lasts at least 11 hours and the return trip Paris-Port-Louis costs about 900 €.
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Useful. To best prepare his trip.
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