The North
Mark Read
Overview
Northern Mauritius puts on show the best and worst (such as it is) of the country's tourism. Grand Baie, at the centre, has a somewhat over-hyped atmosphere, but it's the sort of place where you can take what you want – Mauritius' best nightlife, some excellent restaurants and numerous excursions, for example – and then head elsewhere.
01 / Attractions
Must-see attractions
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
The North
After London's Kew Gardens, the SSR Gardens is one of the world's best botanical gardens. It's among the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and…
The North
One of the loveliest examples of colonial architecture on the island, restored Château Labourdonnais was completed in 1859. Built in teak and sporting an…
The North
The former Beau Plan sugar factory houses one of the best museums in Mauritius. It not only tells the story of sugar in great detail but also covers the…
The North
You can still see the ruins of the French arsenal – along with a flour mill and a lime kiln – within the grounds of the Maritim Resort & Spa at Baie de l…
Galerie du Moulin Cassé
The North
Housed in a charmingly restored sugar mill, the Galerie du Moulin Cassé features the vibrant floral scenes of painter Malcolm de Chazal (1902–82) and a…
Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary
The North
Just north of Port Louis, bird-watchers will want to take the signposted turn-off to the east that leads to the Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary. Sited…
The North
This small aquarium has a decent collection of tropical fish (including clownfish), but the real stars are the whitetip reef sharks and hawksbill turtles…
Grand Baie
Shiv Kalyan Vath Mandir is a vividly coloured Tamil temple that's older than Surya Oudaya Sangam. Remove your shoes before entering.
Build a memorable collection
Get to the heart of The North with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
Mauritius, Reunion & Seychelles $24.99
