Places To Visit In Vieux Grand Port

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Here are the top 3 places to visit in Vieux Grand Port

Located a few kilometres away from Mahebourg, Vieux Grand Port is an iconic district of Mauritius with a colonial past. The oldest settlement in the island, Vieux Grand Port is not exactly a big town, it would be more apt to describe it as another of the island?s many fishing villages, but it has more history and heritage combined than the entire east coast of Mauritius. 

History of Vieux Grand Port
Vieux Grand Port was the first-ever place in Mauritius where the Dutch landed with their ships back in the 1500s. They soon started expanding their settlement and establishing colonies, and soon after, they built a huge fort in the area and used it as headquarters for the Dutch East India Company.

The land of Vieux Grand Port was occupied by the Dutch till the 1700s, following which they left the island, and the French took over their place. In 1810, Vieux Grand Port bore witness to the historic Battle of Grand Port, which saw the British attempting to conquer the military base of the French that they’d established in Mauritius. The battle was a long and bloody one, and the British finally won in the end, seizing control of the island and ending the French colonial rule.

Today, the huge Dutch fort and the ports they built alongside the lagoon is long gone, but vestiges of the long colonial rule can be found in almost every nook and cranny of Vieux Grand Port.

Attractions in Vieux Grand Port 

Frederik Hendrik Museum
One of the most-visited tourist attractions in Vieux Grand Port is the Frederik Hendrik Museum, which once used to be the Dutch Frederik Hendrik Fort. One of the few residual remnants that are proof of the Dutch occupation, the museum has exhibits that showcase the history of Dutch colonial rule on the island, as well as a few artefacts from the Dutch reign.

Domaine Du Chasseur
Apart from its historical significance, Vieux Grand Port also boasts of being home to one of the best nature and wildlife reserves in the country, the Domaine Du Chasseur. Nestled in the foothills of the Anse Jonchée mountains, the Domaine Du Chasseur (translating to ‘Hunter’s Domain’) is a nature reserve built over an area of around 1000 hectares. Situated at around 300 metres above sea level amidst dense forests and lush green foliage, the park is home to a wide variety of endemic species including the Mauritius Parakeet, the Mauritian Kestrel, the Zebra Dove, the Pink Pigeon, and the Mauritius Cuckoo Shrike.

As you come down from your trek to the Domaine Du Chasseur, you will be greeted by the Domaine de I'Ylang Ylang at the foot of the hills famous for its use in local perfumes, colognes and oils, which is essentially an area where aromatic yellow flowers known as Ylang-Ylang are cultivated all year round.

How to Reach 
If you want to opt for public transport to reach Vieux Grand Port, you can avail of the bus services running between the towns of Mahébourg and Centre de Flacq, making a stop at the town of Vieux Grand Port. If you’re travelling via car from MahebourG, you have to take the B28 down till the Riviere Nyon crossing, following which you can drive straight through to reach Vieux Grand Port.

1. Frederik Hendrik Museum

Frederik Hendrik Museum

1 out of 3 places to visit in Vieux Grand Port

Frederik Hendrik museum is located in Vieux Grand Port, an isolated and peaceful part of Mauritius, towards the southeastern coast, which holds its importance as a crucial part of Mauritian history. Vieux Grand Port is a historical site, and Frederik Hendrik museum is declared as a National Heritage. It is surrounded by a luscious green tropical garden including a visitors? centre within the premises. Artefacts retrieved during the archaeological excavations are exhibited in the centre. The excavations in the area are being carried out since 1997. In the campus, you can also see the reproduced historical maps and paintings dating back to the 17th century on display.

2. Monument to Dutch Landing

Monument to Dutch Landing

2 out of 3 places to visit in Vieux Grand Port

If you are in Grand Port, Mauritius and you come across a beautiful ? well-architectured stone like structure, here's everything you need to know about it. If you didn't realise, the Dutch first colonised Mauritius in the year 1638. So, a monument in Grand Port, popularly known as Dutch First Landing, marks the site where the Dutch first set foot on the island.

3. Domain du Chasseur Game Park and Reserve

Domain du Chasseur Game Park and Reserve

3 out of 3 places to visit in Vieux Grand Port

Mauritius, a pearl in the Indian Ocean, is a place of natural and exquisite beauty. You are greeted by pristine emerald colored waters, white sandy beaches, and tall palm trees the moment you set foot in the country. It is rightly said, God first created Mauritius and then created Heaven. The inland area is no less, consisting of a luxurious landscape. The country brims with 5-star hotels and high-end restaurants and shopping brands, making sure your stay remain top class.

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