Port Mathurin Tourism
Standing as the capital of Rodrigues, Port Mathurin is a quaint town that works as the main harbour of Mauritius. Situated on the north-east coast of Mauritius, Port Mathurin was named after one of the first-ever French settlers in the area, Mathurin BrÌohinier. There are a plethora of old colonial-era buildings in the town, such as the Governor's House and the Residency Building, as well as the residue of the country's British and French colonial heritage. Despite not having any landmark tourist attractions, Port Mathurin is still a much-loved holiday destination for visitors to the island.
Not being a typical tourist destination, there isn’t much to see by way of attractions in Port Mathurin, but there are quite a few fascinating tourist spots nearby that you can visit on a trip to Port Mathurin.
Shopping in Port Mathurin
Admittedly the biggest draw at Port Mathurin is its depository of markets, especially its open-air market on Saturday. Every Saturday morning sees hundreds of vendors and merchants selling all kinds of goods under the sun – starting from fresh fish, vegetable and groceries to even locally produced handicrafts and souvenirs you can take back home.
While the market is open on all days of the week, it is at its busiest in Saturday (there is no specific reason, really, that’s how it always has been), and you will probably find half of Rodrigues at the Port Mathurin market on any given Saturday morning.
La Residence
Built back in the 1800s, and also know as the oldest buildings to still stand on the island, the mansion was previously used as the residential headquarters for the British Chief Commissioner during the colonial British rule.
The rooms of the building are now used as offices for the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, so it is not exactly a tourist destination that you can visit and enter. However, it is a heritage building after all, and you can fairly make out the style and structure of the building by looking at it from outside, and its distinct British architecture stands out among the buildings in and around the area.
Mont Limon
One such spot is Mont Limon, which stands at a height of 1300 feet above sea level as the highest peak in Rodrigues. One of the most beautiful viewpoints on the entire island that gives you a 360-degree panoramic view over Mauritius and beyond. Mont Limon is one of the best places in Rodrigues to watch a sunset. It is a photographer’s paradise, with the rugged hills and lush green foliage nestled against the backdrop of the azure ocean.
Trou d'Argent Beach
The closest beach to Port Mathurin is the Trou d'Argent beach, which is a tiny cove sheltered between two gigantic cliffs. Sporting a rocky coastline with cliffs where you can often see stray goats and cows grazing, the Trou d'Argent is a must-visit tourist destination near Port Mathurin that is a long way away from the crowded hustle and bustle of most other beaches in Mauritius.
How to reach
Once you have reached the Rodrigues Island through either bus and fly, or the car ferry, getting to Port Mathurin is not a difficult task at all. All you have to do is to head northwest, take the Francois Leguat Street, and drive up to the magnificent town in less than 20 minutes.