Caudan Waterfront
Port Louis
Caudan Waterfront is a premier commercial development located in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. This dynamic complex offers a wide array of attractions including shops, banking facilities, casinos, cinemas, restaurants, a marina, and a five-star hotel named Le Labourdonnais. The waterfront integrates modern retail and entertainment with rich historical significance, as it is situated on a peninsula created around a fossil coral islet that once hosted important colonial infrastructures like a powder magazine and an astronomical observatory. Visitors can explore the Craft Market featuring local arts and crafts, specialty shops selling unique Mauritian goods, and the Blue Penny Museum, which houses two of the world's rarest stamps. The complex's wings are named after historical figures and events, such as Barkly Wharf, named for a former governor, and Dias Pier, honoring the navigator Diogo Dias. Caudan Waterfront remains an iconic shopping and cultural destination, offering tax-free shopping and picturesque views of Port Louis harbor activities. The addition of the Caudan Arts Centre aims to further enrich the cultural landscape by hosting plays, operas, and conferences, positioning Caudan as a vibrant hub for both locals and tourists.
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Tip: The best time to visit Caudan Waterfront is during the day to enjoy shopping, dining, and harbor views. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Craft Market for unique local souvenirs and consider purchasing tickets or reservations for entertainment venues like the casino or cinema in advance. Tax-free shopping options are available for tourists, enhancing the shopping experience. Weekdays may be less crowded than weekends, offering a more relaxed visit.
Interesting facts
- •The Blue Penny Museum at Caudan Waterfront houses two of the rarest postage stamps in the world.
- •The peninsula was originally a fossil coral islet that hosted an astronomical and meteorological observatory.
- •Dias Pier is named after Diogo Dias, believed to be the first to map the Mascarene Islands including Mauritius.
- •Caudan Waterfront was the first major shopping development of its kind in Mauritius.
- •The area was historically a hub for the sugar industry with millions of sugar bags transiting through the harbor.
History
The area known as Caudan Waterfront is named after Jean Dominique Michel de Caudan, who established a saltpan there in 1726.
Over the centuries, the peninsula evolved hosting various colonial facilities including quays, warehouses, and an astronomical observatory.
The site was integral to the sugar industry, serving as a busy harbor for sugar exports until the 1980s.
The modern commercial complex was developed as the first major shopping center on the island, preserving historical buildings such as the former docks office now housing the Blue Penny Museum.
The complex’s wings reflect Mauritius's colonial past, with names honoring historical figures and events.
The recent addition of the Caudan Arts Centre marks a new chapter in its development as a cultural venue.
Place Guide
Barkly Wharf1863-1870
The main building of Caudan Waterfront named after Sir Henry Barkly, a British governor of Mauritius. It serves as a central hub for shopping and dining.
Blue Penny Museum
Housed in the former docks office, this museum showcases rare stamps and exhibits on Mauritius's history and culture.
Dias Pier
The newest wing of Caudan Waterfront, named in tribute to navigator Diogo Dias who is credited with first mapping the Mascarene Islands.
Craft Market
A popular market within Caudan Waterfront offering local arts, crafts, jewelry, and paintings by local artists, ideal for unique souvenirs.
Caudan Arts Centre2018 (planned opening)
A cultural venue planned to host plays, operas, and conferences, enhancing the artistic offerings of Caudan Waterfront.
Contact
Phone: 211 9500
