Situated at 550 metres above sea level on the central plateau of Mauritius, Curepipe is a city of remarkable heritage, natural beauty, and cultural diversity — with attractions ranging from a dormant volcano to a century-old philanthropist library.
Natural Wonder
Trou aux Cerfs
Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcanic crater located approximately 1 kilometre west of central Curepipe. One of the most iconic natural landmarks in Mauritius, the crater is roughly 100 metres deep and 1 kilometre wide, and its rim offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the island's central plateau and the Western coastline.
The site is encircled by a forest trail popular with joggers and walkers, while the crater floor is now a dense forest ecosystem. The volcano last showed activity thousands of years ago and is a key reference in Curepipe's coat of arms, symbolised as the "green mount" in the upper portion of the shield.
Colonial Architecture
Hôtel de Ville
The Hôtel de Ville — Curepipe's Town Hall — is widely regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of colonial-era architecture in Mauritius. The building overlooks a beautifully maintained public park in the heart of the city, and its elegant façade is a defining feature of Curepipe's urban landscape.
Built in the colonial style with distinctive wooden verandas, the Hôtel de Ville continues to serve as the seat of the Municipal Council of Curepipe — making it one of the rare heritage buildings in Mauritius that remains in active civic use. The surrounding park and gardens provide a tranquil retreat in the city centre.
"One of Mauritius' best surviving examples of colonial architecture, overlooking a park in the heart of Curepipe."
— Municipal Council of Curepipe
Nature & Horticulture
Botanical Gardens
Established in 1913 on 27 acres of land gifted by the central government, the Curepipe Botanical Gardens were developed with a singular vision: to cultivate as many rare and exotic tree species as possible in one place. Over a century later, the gardens are home to a magnificent collection of indigenous and international flora.
Set at Curepipe's cool highland elevation of 550 metres, the gardens offer a refreshing escape with lush green canopies, rare specimen trees, and well-kept walking paths. The cooler climate compared to the coast creates ideal conditions for species that would not otherwise thrive in tropical Mauritius.
Arts & Craftsmanship
Voiliers de L'Océan
Voiliers de L'Océan is one of Curepipe's most distinctive cultural attractions — a world-class model-ship showroom and workshop where master craftsmen create extraordinarily detailed replicas of historic sailing vessels and ocean liners by hand.
With approximately 200 models on display at any one time, visitors can admire breathtaking recreations of famous ships — from 18th-century frigates and galleons to the Titanic and Cutty Sark. The workshop experience allows visitors to witness the painstaking craftsmanship involved in each piece, many of which take weeks or months to complete.
"Model-ship showrooms and workshops with roughly 200 hand-crafted models on display — a tribute to Mauritius' deep maritime heritage."
— Discover Curepipe
Historical Monument
War Memorial
Standing at the gates of the Royal College in Curepipe, the War Memorial is a solemn monument dedicated to the Mauritians who gave their lives for the cause of freedom and justice during the First and Second World Wars.
Each year, a formal Remembrance Day Parade is held at the monument, attended by government officials, veterans, and members of the public. The ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of Mauritius' contribution to the Allied effort, and of the sacrifices made by Curepipe's own citizens.
Knowledge & Heritage
Carnegie Library
The Carnegie Library of Curepipe is both a functioning public library and a historical landmark. Established through the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie — the Scottish-American industrialist and founder of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust — the foundation stone was laid on 30 June 1917 by Governor Sir Henry Hesketh Bell, with the doors opening to the public in January 1920.
Today the library holds over 50,000 books and documents, including a unique collection of manuscripts relating to the history of the Mascareignes — one of the most significant such collections in the Indian Ocean region. Among its treasures is an original copy of the Code Noir, a rare historical document of immense cultural importance.