Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Souillac
POP 4413
The largest settlement along the south coast is Souillac, 7km from Rivière des Anguilles.
The town itself has little to offer, but the clutch of (somewhat) interesting sights beyond
just about make it worth a day trip. Souillac is named after the Vicomte de Souillac, the is-
land's French governor from 1779 to 1787.
Sights
La Roche Qui Pleure
OFFLINE MAP
(The Crying Rock)
Right at the end of the headland after Gris Gris beach, 600m further on and
well signposted, La Roche Qui Pleure resembles a crying man - you'll have to stand there
puzzling it out for quite some time, and the waves really have to crash for the 'tears' to
come out, but it's oddly satisfying when you finally get it.
NATURAL LANDMARK
Robert Edward Hart Museum
OFFLINE MAP
MUSEUM
( 625 6101; 9am-4pm Mon & Wed-Fri, to noon Sat)
Robert Edward Hart (1891-1954)
was a renowned Mauritian poet, apparently appreciated by both the French and the Eng-
lish, although we've yet to meet anyone who's heard of him. His house, La Nef, is an at-
tractive coral-stone cottage which was opened to the public as the Robert Edward Hart
museum in 1967. On display are some originals and copies of Hart's letters, plays,
speeches and poetry, as well as his fiddle, spectacles and trusty Britannic toilet. His award
from the National Institute of Sciences for services to 'telepathy, hypnotism and personal
magnetism' could do with some explanation. Sadly the captions are only in French. This
is definitely rainy-day tourism.
Rochester Falls
Rochester Falls are by no means the country's most spectacular falls, but they are worth a
detour if you're in the area. Follow the makeshift signs from Souillac - the route is rather
circuitous but reliable nonetheless, although it's a rough ride along the stone-strewn track.
Prepare yourself for hawkers who want a tip for telling you where to park your car. The
gushing cascade emerges from the cane fields after a five-minute walk from your vehicle.
WATERFALL
