Port Louis combines a natural history museum highlight with historic sites and a culinary side in Chinatown. At the Natural History Museum, a Dodo model is the centerpiece of the fourth gallery; Aapravasi Ghat is the remains of an immigration depot built in 1849. Chinatown is home to the Jummah Mosque; Chinese pastries and dim sum are also available there. These themes offer different starting points for planning your trip: natural history, history and food.

Natural history with a clear focal point

A model of the Dodo is on display in the fourth gallery of the Natural History Museum and is the museum’s centerpiece. The Dodo provides a natural history focus that differs from the historical perspectives at Aapravasi Ghat and the Jummah Mosque. If you enjoy including more than one kind of culture on a trip, you can consider the Dodo model as a distinct point of interest alongside architectural and migration history.

Immigration depot and historical context

Aapravasi Ghat is the remains of an immigration depot built in 1849. In the wider context of the destination of Port Louis, the site is also connected to the beginnings of the modern diaspora of indentured workers. This historical landmark brings together the year it was built, its former function and a broader history of migration. The construction date marks a specific historical milestone; the connection to the diaspora directs attention beyond the building remains to a wider context. Guided heritage trail visits are available for groups on request and by telephone booking at 217 7770; a maximum of 20 people can take part. Booking and group details may change, so check them before your trip.

Chinatown between architectural history and cuisine

The Jummah Mosque is located in Chinatown in Port Louis and was built in the 1850s. This also places it in the mid-19th century, a few years after the depot was built in 1849. Comparing the dates connects the two sites without equating their functions: Aapravasi Ghat was an immigration depot, while the Jummah Mosque is a mosque. This distinction is useful for understanding the history of buildings from a similar period that represent different points of interest. The dates are given with different levels of precision: the depot dates from 1849, while the mosque was built in the 1850s.

Chinese pastries and dim sum are among the foods available in Chinatown. Alongside the Jummah Mosque’s location in the neighborhood, this offers another way to experience Chinatown: in addition to architectural history, you can also consider the food as part of what’s on offer. Food offerings may change; if this cuisine is important to your trip, check in advance which dishes are available.

Which themes can guide your hotel search

The museum’s Dodo exhibit adds natural history to both options.

Discover more destinations: Les Salines.

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