Port Louis the capital and main port of Mauritius was founded in 1735 by the French Governor, Mahé de Labourdonnais.  A semi circle of mountains encloses the harbour. The rich past gives the city its character that is evident in fine French colonial buildings, especially Government House (built in 1738) and the Municipal Theatre in the palm-lined Place d’Armes. Other visits worthy places include two cathedrals, the Supreme Court Building, some 18th-century barracks and the Natural History Museum. Champ de Mars originally meant for military parades is now a racecourse. Edward VII Avenue and Fort Adelaide a fortified citadel offer the best views of the racecourse, city and harbour. Also worth seeing are the Jummah Mosque in Royal Street and the Chinese Pagoda.

Curepipe is the town’s main residential area with many shops and restaurants. An extinct volcanic crater between Curepipe and Floreal lies Trou aux Cerfs provides great views of the island from its rim. The crater is 85m deep and 180m wide.

Pamplemousses Gardens created at the end of the 18^th century lie to the north of St Louis, and are famous for their large collection of indigenous and exotic plants, including the giant Victoria regia water lilies and many species of palm trees, including the talipot palm, which is said to flower once, after 60 years, and then die. Some tortoises here are over 100 years old.

Domaine Les Pailles is a nature park of 3000 acres at the foot of the Moka mountain range featuring attractions like a natural spring, a spice garden, a replica of a sugar mill and an old rum distillery.

The Aquarium is populated by 200 species of fish, invertebrates, live coral and sponges, all originating from the waters around the island, a treasure trove of the Indian Ocean.

Domaine des Grands Bois is a 2000 acre park where rich fauna like ebony, eucalyptus, palm trees and wild orchids provide the backdrop for stags, deer, monkeys and other wildlife.

La Vanille Crocodile Park is a farm breeding Nile crocodiles imported from Madagascar.

Casela Bird Park stretches over 20 acres of land and contains more than 140 varieties, amounting to 2500 birds. Specimens from the five continents may be seen there, but the main attraction is the Mauritian Pink Pigeon, which is one of the rarest birds in the world.

Car hire companies in Mauritius include Argus, Easycar, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz.