Port Louis – Place D’Armes – Labourdonnais Square – The Old Fountain – 1970s

Place D’Armes, which extends between the Government House till the front of the Harbour, including the Statue of Mahe de La Bourdonnais, is considered to be the heart fo the city of Port Louis. The place is royally enclosed by tall palm trees and surrounded by old canons digged half-way in the ground. At the beginning of the french occupation in the island this place was occupied by a fortification and a battery built by Governor De Nyon, which was later re-inforced by Mahe de La Bourdonnais. This fortification was known as ‘La Batterie du Salut’.

Somehow, La Bourdonnais estimated that the fortification wasn’t properly situated and built and could be destroyed very easily, which then resulted in the decision to build the Citadel (Fort Adelaide) on the hill known as ‘Petite Montagne’. Place D’Armes was known to be the preferred meeting spot for anyone, be it for gossiping, criticizing or admiring ships entering or leaving the port. Place D’Armes has also been famous for its taxi stand; from animal-driven carriages to motorized vehicles and even till today.

Port Louis – Place D’Armes – Celebrating 200 years of Mahe de La Bourdonnais – 1940s

To commemorate the foundership of Port Louis by Mahe de La Bourdonnais, an arched gate was built at the entrance of Place D’Armes during the 1940s. Later on, round end 1960s, a round-about was built at this same entrance in the form of a big fountain (as seen in the picture). This made the entrance towards Port Louis increase in charm for almost two decades. Unfortunately due to poor maintenance, the fountain was removed during the early 1980s.