Port Louis, Mauritius’ capital city, is mostly located in the Port Louis District, with a lesser fraction in the Black River District.
It is the country’s financial and political center, as well as its most populous metropolis. The Municipal City Council of Port Louis is in charge of administration in the city.
The population was 147,066 people according to the 2012 census performed by Statistics Mauritius.
The French created Port Louis in 1735 as a replenishment stop for their ships sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
The island was named after King Louis XV, and the first Governor was Count Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais.
Port Louis, pronounced locally as “paw-louee,” serves as the capital of Mauritius. It is a major port city situated on the Indian Ocean and is the largest city and main port of the country.
Located in the Port Louis District, its population was recorded as 147,688 according to the 2003 census.
History
Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, has preserved numerous historic and colonial structures over time.
One notable example is Fort Adelaide, also known as La Citadelle, which was constructed by the British in 1835.
This fortification stands prominently and offers panoramic views of the city’s architecture. Port Louis is encompassed by the Port Louis Moka Range, a mountainous region that includes notable peaks like Le Pouce and Pieter Both, reaching heights of approximately 800 meters above sea level.
One popular attraction is the Champ de Mars, the country’s national horse racing track, established in 1812 and considered the second oldest in the southern hemisphere. Other noteworthy sites include Les Casernes, the Police Barracks, and the Port Louis Waterfront.
However, what captivates visitors the most is the city’s skyline, which is undoubtedly the finest in the country.
Over the past fifteen years, significant changes have occurred in Port Louis’ skyline due to construction booms during the 1990s and 2000s, resulting in the creation of many towering high-rise buildings. The city center boasts Mauritius’ tallest structures, including several skyscrapers.
Port Louis is home to the Mauritius Institute, a dedicated institution for studying the island’s flora and fauna.
Residents often ascend Signaux mountain, a three-kilometer trail that leads to an elevation of over 300 meters, providing breathtaking views of the city’s landscape.
Tourist attractions in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis Bazaar, Mauritian Chinatown, and the old Port Louis theater.
The capital city also hosts three museums: the Mauritius Natural History Museum, the Blue Penny Museum, and the Mauritius Stamp Museum.
The country’s largest and oldest post office can be found near the Caudan Waterfront. The Place d’Armes, located in the heart of the city and distinguished by its tall palm trees, serves as the main entrance to and exit from Port Louis.
As the busiest city in the country, Port Louis faces significant traffic congestion, especially during peak hours around 8 am and 5 pm, corresponding to typical working hours.
Limited parking spaces pose another significant challenge for the city. Additionally, the financial center, housing the Bank of Mauritius, the Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd, and the State Bank of Mauritius, is situated in Port Louis.
One of the busiest streets is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Street, formerly known as Rue Desforges.
It leads directly to the Municipality of Port Louis, the Jummah Mosque, and Kadafi Square, which is renowned for local culinary delights.
The city also accommodates significant educational institutions. The Royal College of Port Louis and the Loreto College of Port Louis are among the top secondary schools in the country. Bell Village SSS and Moneron SSS schools are also located in the capital.
Port Louis served as a harbor for Dutch settlers starting from 1606, known then as the “Harbour of Tortoises.”
Under French governance in 1736, it became the administrative center of Mauritius and a crucial provisioning stop for French ships navigating between Asia and Europe via the Cape of Good Hope.
The port was named in honor of King Louis XV during this French colonial period, when Mauritius was referred to as Ile de France.
Count Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, the French governor at the time, played a significant role in the city’s development.
Port Louis was chosen to accommodate the primary harbor and fort due to its relative protection from cyclonic winds provided by the Moka Mountain Range.
The port’s strategic importance continued during the British occupation of the island throughout the Napoleonic Wars, enabling Britain to control the Indian Ocean.
However, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 led to a significant decline in port calls. The closure of the Suez Canal for seven years from 1967 resulted in increased activity in Port Louis’ port.
Modernization efforts in the late 1970s ensured its continued role as the central point for Mauritius’ imports and exports.
The expansion of the tourism industry in the late 1990s prompted considerable development in Port Louis, with the construction of numerous shops, hotels, and restaurants in the Caudan Waterfront area.
Architecture
The city showcases a plethora of buildings and landmarks that epitomize its diverse colonial history.
In close proximity to the city center, numerous 18th-century French colonial structures, including the Government House, contribute to the architectural tapestry.
Notable sites encompass the Jummah Mosque, the grand Saint James Cathedral, the Indian Tamil Temple, the charming five-tier Port Louis Theatre (Théâtre de Port-Louis), the Champ de Mars Racecourse, and the neighboring Chinese Pagoda.
Additionally, the city features traditional houses from bygone eras, characterized by wooden structures adorned with shuttered windows and expansive verandas.
However, many historic edifices suffer from neglect and are rapidly being replaced by more durable but less sustainable concrete homes and commercial buildings, altering the cityscape with the emergence of glass and concrete high-rises.
The Chinese Pagoda serves as a focal point within Port Louis’ Chinatown, one of several Chinatowns in Africa.
Its grand entrance, marked by a substantial “friendship” gate, is situated east of the Central Market.
This locale historically housed residences and shops of the Chinese community, predominantly comprising descendants of the Hakka Chinese, who arrived in Mauritius in 1826.
Economy & Demographic
The city’s economy revolves around its bustling port, which serves as the gateway for Mauritius’ international trade.
Initially established by the French, Port Louis was selected for its advantageous location shielded by the Port Louis/Moka mountain range.
The manufacturing sector primarily focuses on textiles and clothing, while also encompassing chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Tourism plays a significant role as well, with the development of the Caudan Waterfront as a vibrant hub offering shopping and entertainment options that attract visitors to the city.
Remarkably, Port Louis ranks as the second most prominent financial center in Africa, following Johannesburg. It boasts the highest per capita income on the continent.
Regarding demographics, the city’s population largely comprises descendants of laborers who were recruited from India in the 19th century.
Previously, slaves were introduced by the British and French colonizers during the 18th century.
Following the abolition of slavery in 1835, many Indian and Chinese workers were brought in to cultivate sugarcane, which was used to produce rum at the time.
The Immigration Depot in Port Louis stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, commemorating this significant migration.
Presently, over 75 percent of the population consists of individuals of Indian descent with diverse origins.
A significant portion follows the Hindu and Muslim faiths, while the remaining population hails from Africa, along with a minority of Chinese and Eurasian communities.
Side attractions
Aapravasi Ghat, previously known as Coolie Ghat, was the place where many Indian laborers arrived in the 19th century after the end of slavery. Today, it is a special UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Caudan Waterfront is a lively area where you can find local souvenir shops as well as international brands selling clothes and spirits.
It’s not just a harbor but also a place for entertainment, with a cinema, game arcades, and local restaurants.
The Blue Penny Museum is a modern museum that tells the story of Mauritius and features the famous legend of Paul and Virginia.
It is also home to two of the most well-known stamps in the world: The Post Office Blue Two Pence and the Post Office Red One Penny.
Fort Adelaide, or the Citadelle, was built by the United Kingdom in 1840 using a type of rock called basalt.
It is the only remaining fort from that time and offers a fantastic view of the entire city, just a short 30-minute walk from the city center.
The St. Louis Cathedral in Port Louis is one of the oldest churches on the island. Designed by de Cossigny and built during the time of Sir Robert Farquar, it has been a place of worship for the people of Port Louis.
Nowadays, it stands in the middle of a busy city center, near a KFC restaurant, the State Bank of Mauritius, Western Union, and the Supreme Court.
The Jummah Mosque is a peaceful place amidst the bustling city. It showcases the impressive skills of Indian craftsmen, particularly the Tamil community, who also built temples and churches.
In the Jardin des Compagnies, you can find the Travellers’ Lane, a collection of texts written by famous travelers like Marco Polo, Duarte Barbosa, and Ahmad bin Majid. This unique feature was created by Khal Torabully, a poet and travel writer born in Port Louis.
The National Library of Mauritius, located at 59 Rue Mere, Barthelemy Edith Cavell St., invites visitors to explore its treasures.
Things to Do:
Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Caudan Waterfront, a popular spot for teenagers and young couples.
There, you can shop, have fun at kiddyland, and taste a variety of foods in the large food court. For an authentic experience of Mauritian life, visit the Port-Louis Market, where you’ll find exotic foods, fruits, and other items.
It’s a place where people from all over the country come to shop and create a lively and diverse atmosphere.
Also read: Seven Colored Earth, a Must See in Mauritius
Experience the Port Louis Theatre, located on Remy Ollier St., where you can enjoy captivating performances.
Don’t miss the excitement of Champs de Mars, the horse racing track. For a great view of the races, climb up to the nearby hill and reach the Citadelle.
Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Louis
