Place d'Armes

Port Louis


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 from 1738. Outside there's a typically solemn statue of Queen Victoria in full 'we are not amused' mode. The statue of the dynamic colonial governor Mahé de Labourdonnais at the quayside end of the avenue has become Port Louis' emblem throughout Mauritius.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Port Louis attractions

1. Government House

0.04 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…

3. Mahé de Labourdonnais Statue

0.08 MILES

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

4. Jardins de la Compagnie

0.1 MILES

Jardins de la Compagnie is the city's most attractive garden, with its vast banyan trees, huge number of statues, quiet benches and fountains. During the…

5. Central Market

0.12 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…

6. Mauritius Postal Museum

0.15 MILES

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

7. Photography Museum

0.16 MILES

This small but engaging museum, down a cobbled lane opposite the Municipal Theatre, is the labour of love of local photographer Tristan Bréville. He's…

8. Jummah Mosque

0.25 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…