Place · Champ de Mars & Fort Adelaide
Champ de Mars racecourseChamp de Mars
The oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere, in use since 1812: go on a race day for the crowd and the betting, otherwise a quick look from the fort road is enough.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 40–90 min
- p95 180 min
- Price
- Rs 100–500 for public areas; grandstands cost more
- adult, 2026 estimate
- Hours
- unknown
- see note below
- Best time
- on race days (Saturdays in season, check)
- quietest window
- 28″ bags
- Painful
- Champ de Mars & Fort Adelaide: painful
- Getting there
- Taxi to the entrance; a short walk from the fort
- Oldest in the southern hemisphere
- Race days
- Under the citadel
- Go on race days (Saturdays in season, check)
- Free entry
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
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Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes
Go now?
hours and prices: check on the day- Open
- Hours unknown
- Crowds
Quietest around 06:00 or 17:00 · go on race days (Saturdays in season, check)
MonTueWedThuFriSatSunQuietest Mon–Thu · busiest Sat · desk estimate
- Tickets
- Adult: Rs 100–500 for public areas; grandstands cost more (check)
- Time to spend
- 40–90 min · up to 180 min if you linger
Know before you go
- The Mauritius Turf Club dates from 1812 and the course sits under the hill of the Citadel; the setting is part of the appeal.
- Race days are the point: expect crowds, food stalls and betting.
- Check the fixture list on the Turf Club site before you plan around a race.
- Fort Adelaide above the course is the same trip.
Best time of day
Go on race days (Saturdays in season, check). Plan 40–90 min inside.
quietlightbusyheavypacked· desk estimate for an ordinary weekday; add one level on weekends and holidays
Weather here, next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Time on site
Minimum
20min
Worthwhile
40min
Typical
90min
p95
180min
Race days and gate times are set by the Mauritius Turf Club: check the fixture list.
Tickets & entry
- Where to buy
- No ticket needed.
- Dress code
- Smart casual in the stands; hat and sunscreen.
- Bags & lockers
- Small bag; expect a bag check on race days.
- Photos
- Fine; ask before photographing people.
- What's closed
- Non-race dayscheckThe course is closed to the public; view from outside.
- SeasoncheckRacing runs roughly from March to December; confirm the fixture list.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.
| Ticket | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Entry on race days | Rs 100–500 for public areas; grandstands cost more (check) | — |
| Non-race days | Free to see the outside | — |
On the ground
Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work
Getting in
- Stop
- Taxi to the entrance; a short walk from the fort
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- free · official site
- Stairs
- none of note
- Shoes
- Shoes on.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Empty on non-race days; very busy and loud on race days.
- Sensory load
- 3/5
- Exposure
- high
Bailouts
heat
Racecourse-side café
crowd
Return to the hotel
Nearest rescue anchor: B — Racecourse-side café (field-verify)
Step-free check
- Step-free entrance: partly · partlynone of note
- Lifts: check · check
- Accessible toilet: check · check
- Ramps: yes · yesStands have steps and ramps; wide grounds.
- Wheelchair: partly · partly
- Stroller: partly · partlycaution
Stands have steps and ramps; wide grounds.
Combine with
- 6 minFort Adelaide
Walk the Champ de Mars & Fort Adelaide area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes
Best photo time today
Sun times for today load in your browser.
Red lines
- Follow the Turf Club's dress and entry rules; gambling is for adults.
- Watch your bag in the crowd on race days.
More on the groundWho it suits · Skip it if · With kids
With kids
- with kids
- Loud and crowded on race days; alcohol and betting are everywhere.
- child price
- Check the Turf Club
Who it suits
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sports and culture fans | good | A local ritual and a historic course. |
| Families | caution | Crowded and loud. |
| Non-race day visitors | poor | Little to see beyond the outside view. |
Skip it if
- There is no race on the day you are here.
Deep dive
Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources
Questions and answers
When are the races?
On set days through the season, mostly Saturdays (check the fixture list).
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Can I visit on non-race days?
Only from outside; the course is closed to the public.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Sources
- officialMauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
- secondaryWikivoyage — Port Louis