Aapravasi Ghat

Port Louis


Aapravasi Ghat, a small complex of buildings located on the seafront, served as the island's main immigration depot for indentured labourers from India. Some of the original stone buildings remain, with displays on living conditions, the hospital wing and bathing ghats. The ghat was listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2006 for its important role in the island's social history.

While it may not look like much at first glance, this site resonates with Mauritians across the island. Britain pioneered its indentured-servant scheme in Mauritius and from 1849 to 1923 over half a million immigrants were processed here before being shipped to various plantations or other colonial islands. Today, almost 70% of Mauritius' citizens can trace their roots back to Aapravasi Ghat.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Port Louis attractions

1. Mauritius Postal Museum

0.14 MILES

This interesting museum beside the Central Post Office houses a mishmash of commemorative stamps and other postal paraphernalia from around the world. One…

2. Central Market

0.15 MILES

Port Louis' rightly famous Central Market, the centre of the local economy since Victorian times, is a good place to get a feel for local life, watch the…

3. Jummah Mosque

0.17 MILES

The Jummah Mosque, the most important mosque in Mauritius, was built in the 1850s and is a striking blend of Indian, Creole and Islamic architecture – it…

4. Mahé de Labourdonnais Statue

0.22 MILES

At the quayside end of Place d'Armes, the best-loved statue in the city has become its emblem throughout Mauritius.

5. Place d'Armes

0.25 MILES

The city's most imposing boulevard, Place d'Armes is lined with royal palms and leads up to Government House, a beautiful French-colonial structure dating…

6. Chinatown

0.27 MILES

The Chinese have traditionally occupied an important position in the life of Port Louis, and the area between the two 'friendship gates' on Royal St forms…

7. Government House

0.28 MILES

Government House is a beautiful French-colonial structure dating from 1738, although it was added to in later years. Outside it stands a typically solemn…