Mahebourg - Mauritius

Mahebourg is a quaint little village that is off the beaten Mauritian tourist trail. Named after a very famous French governor from the French colonial era, the town is a unique amalgamation of French, Dutch and Creole architecture. Back during the imperial reign, Mahebourg's proximity to the harbour made it a busy hub for trade, but after the French shifted the main port to Port Louis, Mahebourg receded into being a sleepy little coastal village. A town steeped in colonial history, Mahebourg is home to quite a few intriguing museums, which offer a fascinating insight into the history and traditions of the village.

If you are planning your next trip to Mahebourg, remember to plan ahead, don’t miss out on the numerous exciting things that you can do on your trip there. You will find glorious historical sites and rich cultural attractions on your trip. You got the list out of all the local attractions and got an exhaustive itinerary for your visit here in Mahebourg. You’ll get to discover new places and find yourself some unique activities to do here. The sights are ecstatic.

Best Time to Visit Mahebourg in Mauritius

The best time to visit Mahebourg is between November and October and Late April to May, when the temperature is less humid and hot. Here are a few other seasons when you can visit Mahebourg for an ideal experience.

January-April(Summer): The temperature during this season is relatively hot and humid. This is considered to be the peak season to invade the beaches of Mahebourg. The average temperature is around 27 degrees on the coast during this season.

November to April(Monsoon): Mahebourg experiences frequent rainfall during monsoon. The months of February and January are prone to the cyclone, and therefore you’re not recommended to visit Mahebourg during these two months.

May-December(Winter): This is considered to be the ideal time for surfing and trying out other water sports activities in Mahebourg as the waves flow in the right direction during this season. During winter the temperature ranges between 27-28°C in Mahebourg.

Things To Do At Mahebourg in Mauritius

1. National History Museum

The museum contains some of the most fascinating artefacts of Mauritius history, including the early maps of the island alongside some of the celebrated paintings of Mauritius’ original fauna. You can also check out the fossils of dodo bones in a glass case. You can also find some of the other disappeared and extinct species like the red rail and Rodrigues solitaire. The museum also has a real curio.

2. Monday Market

If you visit the waterfront, near this place you will find the central foire of Mahébourg. It’s one of the famous markets here.It was initially famous for its silks and all the other textiles that they sell here but nowadays the tourists get a busy produce section, a kind of tacky bric-a-brac and the lined up steaming food stalls. The market is generally open on all the days in the week.

3. Pyramide

Just across from the market, this hero of a street-food scene will greet you with all its warmth. It’s just beside the petrol station. Here you get to taste the most delicious Biryani of this Island (rice cooked with meat and fish in a steel pot with a variety of eastern spices) as well as equally tasty ‘kebabs’. The portions are huge and you can see the fishers and the hawkers queuing for their mid-day meals.

4. La Vielle Rouge

If you are up for a seafood bite and have had enough of beach loitering and heritage hunting then you are destined for La Vielle Rouge. The Fish and seafood here are always cooked fresh. Don’t forget to try the signature dish of calamari with ginger sauce or the fresh lobster with garlic sauce. There is also an outdoor setting in the back garden of the restaurant, try it. You won’t regret it.

5. Rault Biscuit Factory

It’s a museum established back in 1870 by the Rault family. The family first initiated the production of manioc biscuits inside their little biscuit factory located on the northern side, in the outskirts of Mahébourg. This factory is a true piece of wonder, a heritage site and the décor has hardly changed since. Enjoy the crispy square cookies that they make almost entirely by hand.

6. Tabagi Bambous Convenient Stores

The dark and dimly lit convenience stores called tabagis are lined up on the streets of every town in Mauritius. If you are still a Tabagi virgin then go ahead and visit the most popular tabagi, Bambous. The proprietor io is the perfect place to lose your tabagi virginity.

7. L’Ajoupa

If you haven’t already visited L’Ajoupa, let me introduce you to its homely tree-lined garden, explore the place hidden behind a scratched-out and worn picket fence. If you are looking for a quiet place to catch up with old friends, drink and have some of the famous poisson frit with rice or a burger, it’s the place.

8. Notre Dame Des Anges Church

The next destination for you gets a bit on the religious side, not to worry, if you are not into it for the spiritual aspects of it, you can at least expect some of the magnificence of its architecture and heritage. It boasts the uniquely painted butter-coloured tower of the church that’s called the Notre Dame des Anges. The silhouette of this church dominates the skyline of Mahébourg. You can visit it throughout the day and make an offering to the stature of the beloved missionary Père Laval.

How to Reach Mahebourg in Mauritius

Mahebourg is located 4km from Mauritius airport. You can easily reach Mahebourg from Mauritius airport using these modes of travel.

By Bus- Many direct buses run by Airport Terminal Operations Ltd depart from Mauritius airport to Mahebourg every ten minutes on a daily basis. It takes approximately nine minutes to reach Mahebourg from Mauritius airport by bus.

By taxi/cab- You can land at the Mauritius airport in Port Louis, and from here you can hire a taxi or cab that will drop you at Mahebourg in around 8 minutes. This is also the fastest way to reach Mahebourg from Mauritius airport.