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Forêt Ste
For a complete change of pace and atmosphere, consider spending some time in the protected 159-hectare Forêt Ste-Marguerite, way up in the hills. Fans of flora will get their kicks here; there are over 150 indigenous species of plants. A network of easy walking trails snakes throug
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Kelonia
Dont miss this ecologically conscious marine and research centre dedicated to sea turtles, about 2km north of St-Leu. It features exhibits, interactive displays and big tanks where you can get a close-up look at the five different varieties of turtle found in the waters around Réun
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Mauritius Postal Museum
This interesting museum beside the central post office houses a mishmash of commemorative stamps and other postal paraphernalia from around the world. A new exhibit details the history of the Mauritius post using a rich assortment of photographs and artefacts. Of particular interes
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Stella Matutina
About 4km south of St-Leu on the D11 to Piton St-Leu and Les Avirons, this museum is dedicated primarily to the sugar industry, but also provides fascinating insights into the history of the island and has exhibits on other products known and loved by the Réunionnais, such as vanil
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Notre Dame des Anges
The butter-coloured tower of Notre Dame des Anges church dominates the Mahébourg skyline. The original church was built in 1849, but it has been restored several times over the years, most recently in 1938. Take a quick peek inside at the baronial roof timbers. Local people visit t
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Photography Museum
This small but engaging museum, down a cobbled lane opposite the Municipal Theatre, is the labour of love of local photographer Tristan Bréville. Hes amassed a treasure trove of old cameras and prints, including several daguerreotypes (the forerunner of photographs) produced in Mau
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Anse Cocos
From Petite Anse, you can also take your beach towel further north to the equally scenic Anse Cocos, which is reached by a rather vague track at the north end of Petite Anse. The bay here is dazzling to behold – a salt-white strip of sand lapped by turquoise waters. Backed by casua
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Plaine Verte
Located on the far side of the citadel, Plaine Verte is the Muslim quarter of the city and strongly contrasts the glass towers in central Port Louis. Very little care is given to the areas facades – construction materials (usually concrete) are always left exposed – which gives the
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Bassin Boeuf
If you need to cool off, the Bassin Boeuf waterfall beckons. From Ste-Suzanne, follow the D51 in the direction of Bagatelle for about 7km until you see the signpost Bassin Boeuf. Leave your car at the small parking area and walk for a few minutes down a dirt road to the Rivière Ste
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Market
No trip to Victoria would be complete without a wander through the covered market. Its very small by African standards, but its a bustling, colourful place nonetheless. Alongside fresh fruit and vegetables, stalls sell souvenirs such as local spices and herbs, as well as the usual
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La Passe
A visit to tiny La Passe almost feels like stepping back in time, so perfectly does it capture the image of a sleepy tropical port. Virtually no cars clog the streets. Men and women talk shop on the jetty while waiting for the ferry to arrive. Children ride bicycles on the tree-lin
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Jardins de la Compagnie
Jardins de la Compagnie is by far the most attractive garden in the city, with its vast banyan trees, huge number of statues, quiet benches and fountains. During the day its perfectly safe, but you should avoid it at night when it becomes the citys favoured hangout for prostitutes
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Rhumerie de Chamarel
Set among the vast hillside plantations of Chamarel, the Rhumerie de Chamarel is a working distillery that doubles as a museum showcasing the rum-making process. The pet project of the Beachcomber hotel tycoon, the factory opened in 2008 and uses a special ecofriendly production me
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Gris Gris Beach
Head east along the road past the Robert Edward Hart museum and you come to a grassy cliff top, which affords a view of the black rocky coastline and broken reef. A path leads down to the wild and empty Gris Gris beach; a wooden sign warns of the dangers of swimming here. The term
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Îlet Bethléem
Very few visitors have heard about Îlet Bethléem, a magical spot by the Rivière des Marsouins that locals would like to keep for themselves. Reached after a 15-minute walk from the car park, it features an old chapel (1858) – still a pilgrimage site – and a smattering of picnic she
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Chateau Labourdonnais
One of the loveliest examples of colonial architecture on the island, recently restored Chateau Labourdonnais was completed in 1859. Built in teak and sporting an Italian neoclassical style, the chateau is perfectly proportioned and filled with sober Victorian furnishings intersper
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Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio, on the northwest tip of the island, is picture-postcard everywhere you look. Here, the long, broad pale-sand beach has lapis lazuli waters on one side and a thick fringe of palm and takamaka trees on the other, and its framed by a series of granite boulders at each extr
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Natural History Museum & Mauritius Institute
The major attraction at this small but proud museum is the famous (though somewhat grubby) reconstruction of a dodo. Scottish scientists assembled the curious-looking bird in the late 19th century, using the only complete dodo skeleton in existence, although experts with whom we sp
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Médine Sugar Factory
Rather unattractively spewing out smoke into the countryside around Flic en Flac is the Médine Sugar Factory, one of the countrys biggest. During the cutting season (July to early November) its possible to take a guided one-hour tour of the factory. You can also visit the distiller
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Martello Tower
In the 1830s the British built five Martello towers – copies of the tower at Mortella Point in Corsica (vowel order was apparently not a priority for the British) – to protect their young colony from predators (namely the French who were suspected of supporting a slave rebellion).
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