One of the Mauritian Music Bands rocking the days of the late 1970s worth mentioning is certainly the STRENGTH band. Whilst many might not know of them they sure had a lot of fans (proof in the pictures)! The band was formed by a group of Royal College of Port Louis students and was quite …
The Guard of Honour of the King during the early colonial times parading on La Chaussée street towards the Government House in Port Louis. Definitely looks like a ceremonial procession. It is somehow difficult to derive more information on this ceremony but another interesting observation is certainly how La Chaussée street looked like during those …
The Government House in Port Louis is one of the oldest building we can find still standing graciously and dates back since the French colony. Whilst it wasn’t originally like it looks today, the Government House began construction under the first french governors of the island, namely Nicolas de Maupin (1729 – 1735) and Mahé …
After that the British took control of the island back in 1810, they decided to errect a fort on the ruins of an older french fortification on the hill of ‘Petite Montagne’ fearing that the french might try to invade and possession of the island again. The fort, which was given the name of the …
Seeing Port Louis and the Harbour during the late 1960s or early 1970s gives us a glimpse of how the docks were structured and we can also see how close those big ships were. It looks like the railways were recently dismantled and the old station and hangar still accessible. The train station was still …
Found near Cassis in Port Louis, Bain des Dames is another fishing spot quite close to the harbour and the beach is not having the reputation for being quite sandy too. Most of the time people will be spending their time their to enjoy the loneliness and quiteness of the place and as it is …
The King’s African Rifles Regiment firing canons at the Pleasure Ground (les salines) during Empire Day in 1964. Quite an artillery indeed. Image shared by: France Athow UPDATE: The year is claimed to be 1952 probably instead of 1964 as originally mentioned. The King’s African Rifles (KAR) was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from …
The town hall of Port Louis was constructed around late 1960s (or early 1970s) to replace the old colonial town hall prevailing before that. A matter of hapiness or deception for some to see the old one gone and replaced by this new one is an opinion that will vary. This current building is still …
The Golden days, during the late 1950s/early 1960s when Port Louis City was still looking ‘clean’ if it can be said so. Less traffic compared to nowadays and the change in traffic routing. At that time, TIPTOP buses were very common for the inner city rides, and its bus stand was just at the other …
At the beginning of 1860, the transport of passengers and goods was undertaken by about 2,000 horses, 4,000 donkeys and 4,500 carriages and carts. Animal-driven transport was the only sole method before the implementation of railway transport in Mauritius back in 1864. At the Place D’Armes, in front of the government house, we could see …
Established in 1847, the Saint Louis Cathedrale is among the oldest churches in Port Louis during the English Colonisation. The oldest church nationally speaking however remains the ‘St Francois D’Assise’ found in Pamplemousses, constructed during the times of Mahe de Labourdonnais. The scene that is offered to our eyes relates to the typical british period …
The Jummah Masjid is a mosque in Port Louis dating from the 1850s, with substantial additions built through the 1890s. It is located on the Royal Road, and is described by the Ministry of Tourism’s guide as one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the country. Throughout the year, the Jummah Masjid is visited …
Old souvenirs of Port Louis will certainly include these old chinese and traditional shops of the Royal Street, today, which of most have been replaced by new buildings. At the south entrance of the street, Triangle Rouge was among those tennants of the colonial building which was acquired by the Mauritius Commercial Bank for their …
The Old Town Hall of Port Louis was a colonial building during the British rule and to which the architecture was overmatched by the current town hall. Back in 1945, after the World War 2 Victory, the building was decorated with capital ‘V’s to show the Mauritian participation in the War. And to say, Mauritius …
A typical view of these old chinese shops and other similar trades on the Royal Street in Port Louis during the colonial times and summaries the common busy lifestyle of the city residents. Most of these have disappeared and even the structures have been replaced. This building of the Boulet Rouge shop now is among …
During the 1960s/1970s, after the dismantling of the railways and the cranes in front of the harbour, one could approach as close as nearly ‘pied-dans-l’eau’ to the harbour and admire those big ships which at that time would come very close to the docks. The waterfront was of a totally different setting and that was …
Anyone who goes to Port Louis, be it for a simple courtesy visit or for professional activities, must certainly know the Company Garden on La Chaussée Street. The Garden dates back since the colonies and certainly has its own story, but this article is more about the monuments dwelling in this beautiful garden. Even since …
The Harbour Front of Port Louis back in the late 1950s was very different compared to now, if not to say, completely different today. The Albion Docks at the border of the harbour opposite the Labourdonnais Square could still be seen with the railway tracks crossing the front of Port Louis and the big cranes …
Forming part of a recent tradition and celebrated every year now, China Town in Port Louis organizes this Festival whereby the chinese culture is much emphasized. During this festival, traditional chinese foods and snacks are sold to the public at a lower price that usual and the variety is mouth watering. Additionally, this event is …
During the early British period Mauritius was still under a high development phase, and Port Louis at that time was the main town knowing the most constructions and outcomes and the fact that the harbour was there, it was obviously the busiest place too. The Labourdonnais Square was yet just empty space with trees only …