Grand Port, a region rich in history
DunienZîl invites you to visit the south east coast of the island by electric bike. Rich in history, the Grand Port region is considered to be the cradle of the Mauritian civilization. Certain well-preserved monuments and Dutch ruins bear witness to this past. Grand Port was the main port of the island before it was transferred to Port Louis at a later stage. It was also at Grand Port that a large-scale furious naval battle was fought between the English and the French in year 1810.
During this bike ride you will have the opportunity to discover the remains of the Dutch occupation, including the ruins of Fort Frederick Hendricks and its museum. A guide will accompany you during this visit and will share with you these important episodes of our history. He will explain, among other things, the whole history of the first Dutch people who came to settle in Mauritius and the difficulties they had to face. This unique archaeological site is located in Old Grand Port, in the south-east coast of Mauritius, near the Church of Notre Dame du Pouvoir.
All through the rest of the excursion you will be accompanied by a guide who will lead you to the most interesting places and answer your questions. This electric bike activity is realized, to a large extent, outside the common touristic places usually visited so as to maintain its nature friendly and authentic character, and at the same time, be accessible to all.
The Cavendish
Bridge
Buy fish
in Mahebourg
Manufacture of
Vacoas baskets
Manufacture of
Vacoas baskets
Grand-Port ride by electric bike :
An exclusive excursion at the discovery of the history of Mauritius
Our electric bike ride starts at the restaurant Falaise Rouge in Ferney. After the briefing we all get in our saddle, heading for the Dutch ruins of Fort Fréderick Hendrick, the first stone construction in the Indian Ocean. After this most interesting visit we shall bring you to the workshop of skilled craftsmen who assemble the traditional “Made in Moris” baskets with the Vacoas tree leaves. This is a disappearing craft which, presently, provides financial support to many villagers of the Old Grand Port. (Visit on request during weekends).
Then, a few pedal strokes will bring us to meet Pop, one of the last “ranzer pirog mauricien” which means Mauritian marine carpenter. You will have the opportunity to admire the work of this craftsman while having a tamarind juice prepared by his wife Salima. For a moment, live the Mauritian way without complex.
After this short stop we will move for Bois des Amourettes, a small village on the south-east coast of Mauritius, nested between the Lion Mountain and the Grand-Port bay. Its stone and concrete pier of about 190 meters long, built in the 1940s, provides a fishing ramp to the villagers and a play grown for their children. Our guide will be happy to tell you more about this place rarely visited by tourists.
To wrap up this incredible adventure, what could be more perfect than enjoying a delightful meal featuring authentic Mauritian flavors at Falaise Rouge in Ferney? While this lunch is optional, we highly recommend it, as it will truly tantalize your taste buds. For travelers who decide to skip the meal, the excursion will come to an end between 12:00 and 12:30 at Falaise Rouge. However, for those who choose to have lunch, the experience will wrap up around 2:00 PM.
8:20 to 14:00
1 to 14 persons
FULL DAY:
€ 80
OPTIONAL LUNCH:
€ 22
A minimum of 4 people is required for this trip.
If this is not the case for the desired date, you will be proposed another date.
Discover Grand Port with DunienZîl
USEFUL INFORMATION
Our qualified Mauritian guides will enable you to admire the magnificent landscapes at various strategic places and will provide useful comments all along this ride.
Departure:8:20 am – The Falaise Rouge restaurant in Ferney
Check-out: After lunch around 2:00 pm.
Duration: Approximately 6 hours, including breaks and lunch. Throughout the route, the guide will suggest various stops at strategic points to make you discover the history, learn anecdotes of the place, take a photo or simply, enjoy a moment of relaxation.
To bring: Sports shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Price of Grand-port complete:€ 80
Price of optional lunch:€ 22 per person to be paid directly to the restaurant in Mauritian Rupees (Rs)
You will have the opportunity to buy small local souvenirs. Please provide change as the credit card cannot be used.
Will be provided: Bicycles, (safety vehicle for groups of more than ten and on request), professional guide, lunch (Main course – dessert – coffee), water, juice, entrance to various sites and museums.
Lunch: Mauritian meal at the restaurant “Falaise Rouge” with a sumptuous view over the lagoon. (Main course – dessert – coffee – water)
Mahebourg
Waterfront
Join us for an unforgettable experience
A minimum of 4 people is required for this trip.
If this is not the case for the desired date, you will be proposed another date.
CANCELLATIONS
In case of torrential rain, we reserve the right to cancel the ride. On the other hand, in case you want to cancel or postpone your ride to a later date, three alternatives are available to you:
48 hours notice : free
24 hours notice : 50% of the price of the ride will become payable
Less than 24 hours notice: 100% of the price of the ride will become payable
Once the ride has begun, it cannot be refunded in case of bad weather. However, we will do our best to adapt to the situation and make the course enjoyable and satisfying. A cape to protect you from the rain will be loaned to you.
Memories
Photos of your trip in Mauritius will be available on a CD at Rs 800.
In order to be able to ride in good conditions, children must measure at least 1.44m and know how to ride a bike.
The cradle of Mauritius' history
It was in Grand Port that the history of Mauritius began when the Dutch discovered Mauritius and settled thereby building the first stone houses.
It was in Grand Port that the history of Mauritius began when the Dutch discovered Mauritius and settled thereby building the first stone houses.
Many vestiges of the Dutch presence are to be visited, the fort at Pointe du Diable which pointed its cannons against the enemy, the Frederik Hendrick Museum, the cemetery, etc.…
Grand Port bay was also known for its naval battle of 1810 between the English and the French. We will highlight the unique victory won by Napoleon!
Then the city of Mahébourg inherited the name of Mahé de Labourdonnais. In fact, he supervised the work of the city and gave the village its first name in homage to the French governor (Mahé/bourg)! Near the bus station, there are still traces of the railway station of the past.
A visit to the Naval Museum is necessary to fully understand the history of Mauritius, especially in this region. We discover a lot of exciting information in the form of manuscripts, objects of the time, photos and even an ancient wagon in the backyard and bones of our Dodo, big national bird, now extinct.
A minimum of 4 people is required for this trip.
If this is not the case for the desired date, you will be proposed another date.
