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Port Louis — travel, stays & events guide
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Port Louis city overview
Port Louis is a city in Mauritius shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseMauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (MRU)
Known forPort Louis, Capital city in Mauritius, Port Louis planning base 3, Port Louis planning base 4
RegionMauritiusMauritius
Time zoneIndian/Mauritiuslocal time
Founded1606historical origin
City history
Port Louis was used as a harbour by the Dutch settlers from 1606, when they started to refer to the area as Harbour of Tortoises.
In 1736, under French government, it became the administrative centre of Mauritius and a major reprovisioning halt for French ships during their passage between Asia and Europe, around the Cape of Good Hope.
The value of the port continued during the British occupation of the island during the Napoleonic Wars (1800–15), and helped Britain control the Indian Ocean.
However, port calls of ships fell drastically following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.
Activity in the port increased during the seven-year closure of the Suez Canal (starting in 1967).
Raouf Oderuth, the Mauritian Artist provides a 1930s scene depicting the waterfront when motorised transportation hardly existed.
Modernization of the port in the late 1970s has helped it maintain its role as the central point for all imports and exports from Mauritius.
While Port Louis continues to be the business and administrative capital of Mauritius, expansion of the tourism industry in the late 1990s led to considerable development in Port Louis, with many shops, hotels, and.
The port is named in honour of King Louis XV.
During this period of French colonization, Mauritius was known as Ile de France.
Since Port Louis was relatively well-protected from strong winds during cyclones by the Moka Mountain Range, Port Louis was selected to house both the main harbor and fort for the island.
Worth seeing
Port Louis
Port Louis is a practical Port Louis planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Mauritius
Capital city in Mauritius is a practical Port Louis planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port Louis planning base 3
Port Louis planning base 3 is a practical Port Louis planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port Louis planning base 4
Port Louis planning base 4 is a practical Port Louis planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port Louis planning base 5
Port Louis planning base 5 is a practical Port Louis planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Port Louis planning base 6
Port Louis planning base 6 is a practical Port Louis planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Port Louis before booking Port Louis hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Port Louis by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Port Louis, MauritiusFlights & airports
Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (MRU) arrival plan
- Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (MRU)Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (MRU), Port Louis
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Rental cars
Port Louis day-trip car use
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Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Port Louis events in the shared event index yet.