CONSTANCE LE CHALAND*****

The most beautiful and wild landscapes are found in the south of the island: beaches bordered by cliffs sculpted by the waves, rocky coasts, mountains and infinite landscapes of sugar cane fields… WHAT TO SEE IN THE SOUTHEAST Mahébourg It is one of the main fishing villages in the country and is built along the immense bay of Grand Port. Founded in 1804 by the French governor Charles Decaen, Mahébourg witnessed the only Napoleonic naval victory over the British in 1810. This victory was also included in the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was also known for its slave market. There are many places to visit in Mahébourg, but its Naval and National History Museum is something you cannot miss. The Château de Robillard, an 18th-century French colonial building located at the entrance to the village, houses the National History Museum. Old maps, engravings, tableware, pirate swords and even fragments of wrecked ships relate the rich maritime history of the island. The jewel in the crown of this fascinating museum is the bell recovered from the wreck of the Saint Géran.

Cavendish Bridge

Built in 1856 for the transport of sugar cane, the Cavendish bridge, commonly known as «Pont de la Ville Noire», literally «bridge of the black town», was originally made of wood, although all other bridges in Mauritius were made of steel. Between 1908 and 1911, it was transformed into a reinforced concrete bridge, an innovation in its time. With its 155 meters, it is said to be the longest bridge on the island. The water flows under the bridge towards the mouth of the river and has incredible views of Lion Mountain and the Grand Port mountain range.

The Ile Aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve

During the Second World War it was a British military base, at which time a large part of the original forest was destroyed. And the MWF foundation has set itself the goal of restoring the flora and fauna that were there. The name Ile aux Aigrettes comes from a colony of herons that lived on the island during the 1600s. Since 1985, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has weeded, replanted and recovered 90% of this coral island by introducing native plants, birds and reptiles. Thus, MWF has recreated an ideal sanctuary for flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere else. This small island of 27 hectares, located 800 m from the southeast coast, near Mahébourg, is home to the last vestige of the coastal dry forest that once surrounded most of Mauritius. Over time, Ile aux Aigrettes suffered from logging and soil removal, and the introduction of exotic animals and plants almost destroyed the native fauna and flora. Currently, this lost paradise is open to the public. A professional guide will accompany you for 1h30 along one of its trails, the Dodo, where we will find numerous endemic species of fauna and flora of the island such as the Mauritian Fodi bird, the pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) kestrels, and the Aldabra giant tortoise, endemic to the Seychelles Islands. The 10 bronze sculptures by the artist Nick Bibby exhibited on the island will transport you to the past.

Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay was declared a National Park of Mauritius in 1997, a Marine Park in 2000 and a RAMSAR Site in 2008. Located near Mahébourg, it has an area of 353 hectares and a rich biodiversity. The coral garden is located at a shallow depth, between 5 to 10 meters in calm and clear waters, so snorkeling is a highly recommended activity. It has 38 species of coral and more than 72 of tropical fish (butterfly fish, comet fish, rainbow fish, seahorses, anemones...). One of the most appreciated corals is the brain coral (Lolophyllia) which, with a thousand years, has a diameter of 5 meters.