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Port Louis · Mauritius Port Louis Audio Tours
Discover Port Louis with self-guided audio walking tours
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The Port Louis everyone knows.
The landmarks in every guidebook — and the tours that tell you what guidebooks don't.
A few words on Port Louis
An Indian Ocean crossroads where every culture left its mark.
Port Louis was an uninhabited island port until Dutch settlers arrived in 1606, calling the harbour Tortoise Bay for reasons that are now self-explanatory. The French transformed it into a proper city from 1736, naming it after King Louis XV and building the Government House that still stands, making it one of the oldest colonial buildings in sub-Saharan Africa. When the French lost Mauritius to Britain in 1810, the British kept everything: the French street names, the Code Napoleon legal system, the language, and the produce market near the waterfront that has occupied the same site for centuries.
The city's Chinatown, established by Hakka Chinese immigrants who began arriving in 1826, remains one of the most intact in Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1908, still operates on Rue du Dragon. Within walking distance are the Jummah Mosque, the Cathedral of Saint James, and several Hindu temples, which is the compressed multiculturalism that Mauritian independence politics have worked with rather than against since 1968. The Blue Penny Museum holds two rare stamps, a 1-penny orange and a 2-penny blue from 1847, that philatelists consider among the most valuable in the world.
Port Louis
Port Louis FAQ
Before you walk.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is about 48 kilometres south of Port Louis. Buses and taxis connect the airport to the city centre, with the bus taking around 90 minutes and the taxi significantly less. The city is compact enough that most central sights are within walking distance of each other once you are there.
Dholl puri, a flatbread stuffed with ground yellow split peas, is Mauritius's street food institution and costs almost nothing at vendors near the central market. Mine frite (fried noodles with vegetables and meat) reflects the Chinese community influence. Alouda, a milk drink with basil seeds, jelly, and rose syrup sold at street stalls, is the refreshment of choice in the heat.
Port Louis deserves a full day if history and culture interest you. The central market, Chinatown, the waterfront, the Champ de Mars racecourse (the oldest in the southern hemisphere), and the Blue Penny Museum can fill a well-paced day. Most beach resort visitors are based on the coast and day-trip into the city, which is a reasonable way to do it.
The historic centre is walkable and compact. From the central market to the Caudan Waterfront to Chinatown is a short distance and manageable on foot. The streets are busy with traffic, which requires attention, and the midday heat in summer makes water and shade essential. City buses are cheap and reliable for reaching sites slightly further out.
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Loved by travellersThousands of tours started.
Thousands of tours started.
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4.8 across the App Store and Google Play. Here's a few we keep coming back to.
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This tour was such a great way to see the city. The stories were interesting without feeling too scripted, and I loved being able to explore at my own pace.
Jess
Tbilisi Tourstarstarstarstarstar
This was a solid way to get to know Brighton without feeling like a tourist. The narration had depth and context, but didn't overdo it.
Christoph
Brighton Tourstarstarstarstarstar
Started this tour with a croissant in one hand and zero expectations. The app just vibes with you, no pressure, just you, your headphones, and some cool stories.
John
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