Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Curepipe is the highest of the plateau towns. At 550m above sea level, temperatures are
refreshingly cool in summer, but according to lowlanders, Curepipe has two seasons: the
little season of big rains and the big season of little rains. The damp climate gives the
buildings an ageing, mildewed quality. Bring an umbrella.
Sights
Hôtel de Ville
ARCHITECTURE
(Town Hall; Rue Chasteauneuf)
Overlooking a small park in the centre of Curepipe, the Hôtel de
Ville is one of Mauritius' best surviving structures from its colonial era. Notice the gable
windows, verandah and decorative wooden friezes known as
dentelles
- all are signature
traits of the island's early plantation architecture. The building was moved here from
Moka in 1903.
Statue of Paul and Virginie
Near the town hall, you'll find a bronze copy of Prosper d'Épinay's famous statue of Paul
and Virginie. The original is on display in Port Louis' Blue Penny Museum (
Click here
)
.
STATUE
Carnegie Library
LIBRARY, ARCHITECTURE
( 674 2278; 9.30am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 3pm Sat)
Next to the town hall, the stone building
with the distinctive neoclassical porch houses the municipal Carnegie Library. Its collec-
tion includes rare topics on Mauritius dating back to the 18th century.
Domaine des Aubineaux
( 676 3089; Royal Rd; adult/child Rs 350/175; 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri, to 1.30pm Sat)
The manor house
of the Domaine des Aubineaux was built in 1872 in a classic colonial style, and in 1889 it
was the first residence on the island to be outfitted with electricity. The plantation was
transformed into a museum in 2000, and today it marks the first stop on the historical La
Route du Thé (
Click here
)
. Keep an eye out for old photographs preserving the memory of
the local colonial manses that have fallen victim to harsh weather and the relentless pas-
HISTORIC BUILDING
