Must-see attractions in Mauritius, Réunion & Seychelles

  • Martello Tower

    Mauritius

    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…

  • Photography Museum

    Port Louis

    This small but engaging museum, down a cobbled lane opposite the Municipal Theatre, is the labour of love of local photographer Tristan Bréville. He's…

  • Rochester Falls

    Mauritius

    Rochester Falls are by no means the country's most spectacular falls, but they're worth a detour if you're in the area. Follow the makeshift signs from…

  • Gris Gris Beach

    Mauritius

    Around 2.5km southeast of central Souillac, a grassy clifftop affords fine views of the black-rock coastline. A path leads down to the wild Gris Gris…

  • Kelonia

    Réunion

    Don't miss this ecologically conscious marine and research centre dedicated to sea turtles, about 2km north of St-Leu. It features exhibits, interactive…

  • Belvédère de l’Eden

    The East

    A fabulous place to chill out is this aptly named viewpoint, in upcountry Bras-Panon. From Bras-Panon, take the road to St-André, then turn left onto the…

  • Grand Étang

    The East

    Around 12km southwest of St-Benoît along the road towards Plaine-des-Palmistes is the 3km road to Grand Étang (Big Pond). This pretty picnic spot lies at…

  • Le Jardin des Parfums et des Épices

    Réunion

    Inland between Le Baril and St-Philippe, don't miss the 3-hectare garden, Le Jardin des Parfums et des Épices. It contains over 1500 species in a natural…

  • Place d'Armes

    Port Louis

    The city's most imposing boulevard, Place d'Armes is lined with royal palms and leads up to Government House, a beautiful French-colonial structure dating…

  • Maison Folio

    Réunion

    One of the loveliest of Hell-Bourg's Creole houses is this typical 19th-century bourgeois villa almost engulfed by its densely planted garden. You can…

  • SeyTé Tea Factory

    Morne Seychellois National Park

    At the working tea factory, about 3km above Port Glaud, 20-minute tours take you through the tea-making process. It's best to visit before noon, when you…

  • Takamaka Viewpoint

    The East

    North of St-Benoît the D53 strikes southwest, following the Rivière des Marsouins 15km upstream to end beside the Takamaka viewpoint. Be prepared to fall…

  • La Saga du Rhum

    Réunion

    Those who want to understand how the ambrosia called rum starts in the sugar-cane fields and ends on their palates should come to this museum, set on the…

  • Notre Dame des Anges

    Mauritius

    The butter-coloured tower of Notre Dame des Anges dominates the Mahébourg skyline. The original church was built in 1849, but it has been restored several…

  • Mauritius Postal Museum

    Port Louis

    This interesting museum beside the Central Post Office houses a mishmash of commemorative stamps and other postal paraphernalia from around the world. One…

  • Pointe de la Table

    Réunion

    In 1986 the lava unusually flowed south of Le Grand Brûlé to reach the sea at Pointe de la Table, a headland that lies a few hundred metres north of Puits…

  • L'Union Estate & Copra Factory

    La Digue

    At one time, the main industry on La Digue was coconut farming, centred on L'Union Estate coconut plantation south of La Passe. These days L'Union Estate…

  • Anse Sévère

    La Digue

    Easily accessible on the northern outskirts of La Passe, Anse Sévère is a great beach to spend a day on. Set alluringly behind stands of takamaka trees,…

  • Plage de Grande Anse

    Réunion

    Beach lovers should stop at Plage de Grande Anse, which is framed with basaltic cliffs and features a white-sand beach, a protected tide pool and picnic…

  • Notre Dame des Laves

    The East

    The lava flow from a 1977 eruption went through Piton Ste-Rose, split when it came to the church and reformed again on the other side. Many people see the…

  • Musée Léon Dierx

    Réunion

    Housed in the former bishop's palace, built in 1845, this museum hosts Réunion's most important collection of modern art. The more high-profile works may…

  • Fort Adelaide

    Port Louis

    Fort Adelaide resembles a Moorish fortress. Built by the British, the fort sits high on the crown of a hill, offering splendid views over the city and its…

  • Le Jardin d'Eden

    Réunion

    Appealing to a wider audience than just plant lovers and gardeners, Le Jardin d'Eden, across the main road from L'Hermitage, is definitely worth an hour…

  • Notre-Dame de la Salette

    Réunion

    The little white chapel of Notre-Dame de la Salette, perched on the side of the hill to the east of town, was built in 1859 as a plea for protection…

  • Galerie du Moulin Cassé

    The North

    Housed in a charmingly restored sugar mill, the Galerie du Moulin Cassé features the vibrant floral scenes of painter Malcolm de Chazal (1902–82) and a…

  • La Roche Merveilleuse

    Réunion

    Head to the Marvellous Rock for an eagle-eye panorama of Cilaos. It's accessible on foot or by road. From Cilaos, take the road to Bras-Sec. The turnoff…

  • Hôtel de Ville

    Mauritius

    Overlooking a small park in the centre of Curepipe, the Hôtel de Ville is one of Mauritius' best surviving structures from its colonial era. Notice the…

  • Plage de la Souris Chaude

    Réunion

    Not a fan of tan lines? Head due south and lay your towel on Plage de la Souris Chaude, which is a favourite among nudists (only just tolerated) and gay…

  • Cimetière Marin

    Réunion

    Most tourists who come to St-Paul visit the bright and well-kept Cimetière Marin, the cemetery at the southern end of town. It contains the remains of…

  • La Maison de Laurina

    Réunion

    Caffeine addicts should make a beeline for La Maison de Laurina, the owner of which grows a top-quality variety of coffee, the Bourbon Pointu. The…

  • Le Labyrinthe En Champ Thé

    Réunion

    At the entrance of Grand Coude, Le Labyrinthe En Champ Thé is worth an hour or so for anyone interested in tropical flora, with an emphasis on tea and…

  • Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary

    The North

    Just north of Port Louis, bird-watchers will want to take the signposted turn-off to the east that leads to the Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary. Sited…

  • Mosquée Noor E Islam

    Réunion

    One of St-Denis' most iconic buildings, the Grande Mosquée dominates the centre with its tall minaret. Its cool white-and-green interior is a haven of…

  • Maison Carrère

    Réunion

    This meticulously restored mansion dating from the 1820s is a beautiful example of Creole architecture, with its elaborate veranda and intricate…

  • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

    Victoria

    This imposing cathedral is noteworthy for its elegant portal and colonnaded facade – the interior nave is long and airy with some stained-glass windows…

  • Le Barachois

    Réunion

    This seafront park, lined by cannons facing out to sea, is a good place to catch the sea breeze in St-Denis. It has an area set aside for pétanque (a game…

  • La Vanilleraie

    The East

    At Domaine du Grand Hazier, a superb 18th-century sugar-planter's residence about 3km southwest of Ste-Suzanne, you'll find La Vanilleraie, where you can…

  • La Roche Qui Pleure

    Mauritius

    Right at the end of the headland beyond Gris Gris beach, 600m further on and well signposted, La Roche Qui Pleure resembles a crying man – you'll have to…

  • Église

    The East

    You can't help but be dazzled by this surprisingly extravagant church that was erected in 1857. The facade of the building is covered in stucco depictions…

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }