Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sage of time. Exotic plants fill the garden under the shade of camphor trees, and when
you're ready for a break you can sip savoury teas in the converted billiard parlour.
Trou aux Cerfs
About 1km west of central Curepipe, the Trou aux Cerfs is an extinct volcanic crater some
100m deep and 1km in circumference. The bowl is heavily wooded and from the road
around the rim - a favourite spot for joggers and walkers - you get lovely views of the
plateau. There are benches for rest and reflection, and a radar station for keeping an elec-
tronic eye on cyclone activity.
VOLCANO
Botanical Gardens
GARDENS
( 6am-6pm May-Sep, 7am-7pm Oct-Apr)
The well-kept gardens of Curepipe were created
in 1870 to foster foliage that thrived in cooler weather - the grounds in Pamplemousses
proved far too sweltering for certain species.
Sleeping & Eating
Unless you're visiting family, it's hard to imagine why you'd want to stay in Curepipe -
nowhere else in the island is more than an hour away by road.
Believe it or not, the cafeteria at the local hospital (Clinique de Lorette) serves a mean
quiche at lunchtime - it's a local secret.
Auberge de la Madelon
GUESTHOUSE
€
( 670 1885;
www.aubergemadelon.com
; 10 Sir John Pope Hennessy St; r €20-40; )
Excellent
value and centrally located, this well-run place is simple, small and surpringly stylish,
boasting comfy en suite rooms and very helpful management.
La Potinière
MAURITIAN
€€
( 670 2648; Bernardin de St-Pierre St; crêpes & mains from Rs 200; 10am-3pm & 6.30-10pm Tue-Sat)
Curepipe's most obviously upmarket restaurant hides in an unassuming concrete block,
