Le Caudan Waterfront is situated in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. Visiting this waterfront shopping and entertainment complex, you’ll realize that Mauritius is much more than its zoos and beaches.
Le Caudan Waterfront is a popular destination which offers a complete shopping, leisure and commercial experience. Markets, restaurants, cafes, commercial buildings, entertainment, art, casinos, a cinema, a museum, – you name it, Le Caudan Waterfront has it.
The shopping experience here is a benign one. If shopping is not something that calls out to you, you can simply stroll on the walkways covered with colorful umbrellas, unwind at the Le Caudan Waterfront café, try your luck at the casino, and gaze at ships coming into the harbor.
Le Caudan Waterfront: An Overview
Combining modern architecture with a historic feel, Le Caudan Waterfront stretches along Port Louis’ 1.5-kilometer-long harbor. Although most of Port Louis isn’t very happening and doesn’t have a nightlife per se, Le Caudan Waterfront comes across as a stark exception.
If you plan on visiting Mauritius, make sure this site is on your list. To give you a brief overview of what it’s like, I’ve highlighted key details in the table below.
| Location
Marina Quay, Caudan, Port Louis, Mauritius |
| Currency
The currency that’s used in Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). The conversion rates in terms of the Mauritian Rupee (MUR), the American Dollar (USD) and the Indian Rupee (INR) are as follows: 1 USD = 36 MUR; 1 MUR = 1.99 INR Note that I’ve made mention of the INR because India is my home country. |
| Getting there
Taxi, bus, rent a car or a bike |
| Highlight
A unique shopping experience, a crafts market, restaurants which serve international delicacies along with local Mauritian cuisine; a casino for gambling, and a museum |
| Nearby spots
Blue Penny Museum, Citadel Fort Adelaide, The Deck in Trou Fanfaron Harbor |
| The best time to visit
The weather here is very pleasant and visitors can visit at any time of the year. One can enjoy the tropical climate throughout the year because Mauritius is not far from the Tropic of Capricorn. Bright sunny skies are routine for Mauritians. |
| Temperatures
January is the hottest month with an average temperature of 26°C and July is the coldest with an average of 21°C. |
For further elaborations on the above-mentioned points and for additional tips and details, keep reading. Don’t you want your trip to Mauritius to be perfect?
Le Caudan Waterfront: An Integral Part of Mauritius’s Cultural Landscape
The peninsula called Le Caudan, a historical site has been home to quays, warehouses, various small enterprises, and an astronomic and meteorological observatory over the last 250 years. After 1980, this site became a popular harbour where sugar bags were transported by trains, trucks, and boats, and carried by hundreds of hands.
Frequented by travelers and locals alike, Le Caudan Waterfront is now an integral part of the cultural landscape of Mauritius. The place gets its name from a famous figure, Jean Dominique Michel de Caudan. In 1726, he started a salt pan in the southwest of Port Louis. This area is now known as Robert Edward Hart Garden and is situated on the entrance road leading to the waterfront.
The main building known as Barkly Wharf was named after Sir Henry Barkly who was appointed the governor of Mauritius from 1863-1870.
An All-Encompassing Shopping Experience
Le Caudan Waterfront boasts over 170 shops offering a wide variety of products, ranging from jewellery to watches, body care products, clothes, embroidered linen, colourful sarongs and souvenirs.
Some of the stores where I witnessed relatively greater footfalls were:
| Didus Art Gallery offers paintings of local artists; an exhibition of postcards, lithographs, reproductions; and artist materials. |
| Del So, is a unique concept boutique that offers a huge range of products such as nail polish, shorts, hair clips, etc. |
| Kashmir Gallery sells products imported from India – all handmade. These shops sell bed covers, table covers, pure Pashmina shawls, silk carpets, and silk embroidery kaftans. |
| Solaflags markets flags, banners and accessories, fridge magnets, cuff-links, tie clips, key chains, etc. |
| Flemingo – This is a store celebrated for duty-free products such as chocolate, liquor, tobacco, and perfumes. |
| Poncini– Tourists and locals flock here in large numbers, to buy watches and jewelry. |
When it comes to clothes, the list of shops is endless. The most popular shops are Delire, Entrez, Dockland, Citysport, Karl Kaiser, Peace Angel, and Laughing Duke.
The Craft Market – For Art and Craft Buffs
The Craft Market is a treasure house for arts and crafts enthusiasts. Of unique regional handicrafts, souvenirs made out of coconut, glass and wood, elaborate collections of semi-precious stones, wooden sculptures, and grounded spices, the craft market consists of as many as 36 stands.
The market is an abode of local Mauritian artists possessing great talent and skills. During my visit, I was pleased to bump into a woodcarver who had won many prizes, and a humble artist who has been painting for nearly 25 years. The market was also scattered with mehendi artists, treating customers to beautiful designs just as requested by them.
When here, you must definitely look out for PEM (Philip Edward Marie). An iconic figure of Le Caudan Waterfront, he is almost always there – lurking around, passionately speaking to visitors about his passion for woodcarving, and breathing life into pieces of wood.
Caudan Arts Center
This luxury venue is all about creative and innovative minds coming together, and putting up a spectacle for their audiences. Here, you can opt to attend a movie screening, a stand-up comedy show, or an orchestra – all of it in utter style.
Premium is an understatement when it comes to the Caudan Arts Centre. It comes with seats that can be converted into sofas, fancy cocktails, and your choice of delicious tidbits to accompany your drinks.
Tickets can either be bought online, or physically at the Caudan Arts Center reception
The Umbrella Alley – A Paradise for Instagrammers
If you’re someone who likes cute and vibrant surprises, you must visit this alley. A narrow lane covered with colourful floating umbrellas, a number of visitors can be found strolling around here. Its happy aesthetics also make it one of the most Instagrammable spots in Le Caudan.
Up For Some Gambling? – Casinos in and Around Le Caudan Waterfront
Over the years, a number of casinos have sprung up around Mauritius.
The Caudan Waterfront Casino is a popular hotspot in Port Louis and is visited by thousands of people. It is situated in a beautiful waterfront area and started operations back in 1996.
| What’s on offer
The casino offers both live table games and a collection of slot machines. Popular table games include Oasis Poker, Blackjack, American Roulette, and Reel Machine. Additionally, this casino features the highest number of slot machines. |
| Timings
The casino is open for slots every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. For table games, you can visit anytime between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, you’d be invited to table games from 2 pm to 4 am. |
| Who can enter?
The casino is open for adults above the age of 18 years and there is no dress code. However, note that shorts and sandals are not allowed after 7 p.m. |
Note: Foreign currency is accepted here.
A few hours spent at the casino will assure you a great time. It’s a great place to let loose, and go gaga over some good games. This place also goes against the famous “Port Louis has no nightlife” conception.
Feasting Away at Le Caudan Waterfront
What you really need after a tiring day of shopping is a wholesome meal. As you might have expected, there are plenty of eateries at Le Caudan Waterfront. L’Observatoire was launched back in 2014, and includes around 17 food outlets on the site of the former Caudan Waterfront food court.
The idea was to offer its visitors a wider culinary variety. Additionally, conceptualizers wanted to introduce Mauritians to international trends and branch out to a larger number of cuisines. Furthermore, there are a number of cafes, restaurants and beverage stalls in Le Caudan.
If you are a foodie, you’re going to find yourself spoilt for choice at Le Caudan Waterfront. Following are the names of some of the best Caudan Waterfront restaurants me:
Tandoori Express
A brilliant restaurant serving lip-smacking Indian food, Tandoori Express offers a wonderful view overlooking the waterfront. Nothing like crispy garlic naans with masala-infused Indian curries coupled with a view.
Arabia Gourmet Café
For anyone who wants to enjoy true, and authentic Arabic food on an African island, this is the place to go. Hot cups of delicious Turkish coffee are accompanied by a wide variety of wraps, sandwiches, tarts, pastries, and the popular Arabian delicacy baklava.
Ken’s
If you’re not a Mauritian, chances are you want to try the local cuisine. Well, at least I was keen on it. Mauritian cuisine is a wonderful blend of French, Chinese, Creole and Indian food. If you do visit Ken’s, do try the Ah Kong Boulettes if you’re a non-vegetarian. You won’t regret this. Another must-try is the Roti Chaud – a popular form of street food across Mauritius.
There are a host of other restaurants you could visit while in Le Caudan Waterfront, but this is my personal list of favorites. I can say without any doubt that here, you’ll find the best restaurants in Port Louis.
There are a number of hotels (Le Labourdonnais and Le Suffren) at Le Caudan Waterfront where restaurants and bars can be found. The commercial center subsists pastry counters, coffee bars, ice-cream parlors, pubs and fast food outlets.
Furthermore, do try the local beer of Mauritius – Phoenix Beer, named after the town it’s produced in, and Flying Dodo – the only craft beer produced on the island. Lastly, do not miss the sugarcane juice at the Creperie.
Le Caudan Waterfront as a Business Center
Port Louis is the administrative and business capital of the island. Here, large businesses and little trades coincide. Port Louis is home to the biggest port facility in the Indian Ocean region and is one of Africa’s major financial centers.
The number of ships visiting the port annually is over 2,200. The trade of various goods occurs through the port where Le Caudan Waterfront is situated.
History Lovers, This One’s For You – The Blue Penny Museum
In addition to being a complete package for shopaholics, Le Caudan Waterfront also allures history lovers. Just as the name suggests, the Blue Penny Museum houses one-penny and two-pence stamps from 1847. However, it doesn’t limit itself to just that.
It also takes you on a historical journey of the island – its exploration, settlement, colonial period, and overall development over the years.
| Location
Block A, Waterfront Complex |
| Timings
10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday-Saturday |
| Entrance Fee
Rs 518/- per person for adults Rs 253/- per person for children Note: Discounts will be offered for those travelling in groups of 10 or more. |
Also important to note is the fact that the stamps are all displayed on the 1st floor, and the museum doesn’t have a lift. On the ground floor, you’ll find an incredible collection of antique maps, photographs, carvings and engravings from different periods of the country’s history.
Making Your Way to Le Caudan Waterfront
Commuting is generally pretty expensive in Mauritius.
The Cheap Choice- Bus
Although the public transport system in Mauritius isn’t as well-developed, there exist 2 bus stops in Port Louis. You are going to have to take the bus to Victoria Square. Hereon, it’s a 10-15-minute walk to Le Caudan Waterfront.
For further instructions on where you need to board the bus from, simply ask any local. This would largely depend on where you’re travelling from.
Note: A short bus ride costs as little as Rs 15 – which is minuscule when compared to taxi fares.
The Comfortable Option – Taxi
Taking a taxi to get to Le Caudan Waterfront is, of course, one of the options. However, taxi fares vary largely across the island. To make matters worse, meters are rarely used and tourists are often quoted any number under the sun.
| I’d suggest you simply contact your hotel or place of stay to have a cab arranged for you. Once you are familiar with the rates and the taxi system as a whole, you can start hailing and boarding cabs by yourself.
Considering you’re visiting Le Caudan Waterfront from your hotel, you should be charged anywhere around Rs 300-400. |
Note: Taxi drivers will generally charge more at night. Some cheeky drivers might as well ask for more money for air conditioning, whereas some might have the cost adding up if you keep them waiting.
Rent It Out
If you’re someone who fancies independence while travelling, you might want to hire your own vehicle. This will save you the hassle of arguing with cheeky taxi drivers and waiting for buses/shuttles.
| Renting out a car for a day will cost you anywhere starting at Rs 1200 for a basic model. This fare would generally be exclusive of fuel charges. Additionally, you will have to pay a huge refundable deposit of approximately Rs 15,000. Although your local license would generally do the job, it is always better to have an International Driving Permit.
Lastly, Caudan Waterfront parking charges are Rs 50 for the first 4 hours, and Rs 50 for additional hours. |
Note: Although you could rent out 2-wheelers for much less, I would personally advise against it. Mauritius is one of the most dangerous countries when it comes to driving around on motorbikes. Roads are hazardous, and driving is reckless on a whole. Always remember safety over saving a few bucks.
I hope that this little guide helps you navigate your way around the place. All in all, Le Caudan Waterfront in specific and Mauritius, in general, is a great place to be for travelers. So, take a break from the beaches and visit Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis. You’ll realize that it’s no big feat to spend an entire day here.
Happy Wayfaring.