About 7km north of Mahebourg, Vieux Grand Port has great historical significance for Mauritius. The Dutch made Vieux Grand Port their base and called it Fort Fredrick Henric. About 4km from Mahebourg, on the bank of a river, is a monument commemorating the first landing by Dutch sailors, which took place on 9 September 1598 under the command of Wyband Van Warwick. The Monument was erected in 1948 by the Mauritius Historical Society.
The well-planned wide streets in the old section of Mahébourg still bear testimony to this Dutch and French colonial past. After the French chose Port Louis as the main port Mahébourg declined into
Devils Point, 8km north of Vieux Grand Port, was once the site of a French coastal battery. The cannons remain.
In 1598 the Dutch came into the scene when Vice Admiral Vybrant Van Warwick claimed the island for the Netherlands and named it Mauritius in honour of his ruler, Prince Maurice of Nassau (Pictured on
In the Port Louis district, no fewer than 66 national monuments have been designated. The Rum Warehouse Building near Immigration Square was deproclaimed and dismantled but a new national monument,
Deep sea fishing: Some of the finest game fishing available occurs in the deep water surrounding Mauritius.
Maha Shivaratree Festival: In February or March the Hindus honour Lord Shiva by making a
Overlooking Vieux Grand Port is Lion Mountain so named because it resembles a crouching lion. There are two routes up - one via the road opposite the church in the town through the cemetery; and the
Description
Mahebourg named after the famous french Governor Mahe La Bourdonnais but pronounced may burg, was once a busy port. Now it is a run down commercial centre with a small fishing fleet.