Place · Central Market & Aapravasi Ghat
Place d'Armes
The waterfront square at the harbour end of Royal Road, lined with government buildings and palms: a 15–20 minute stop for the statue of the founder and the old Government House.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 15–20 min
- p95 30 min
- Price
- Free
- adult, 2026 estimate
- Hours
- unknown
- see note below
- Best time
- 16:00–17:00
- desk crowd estimate
- 28″ bags
- No
- Central Market & Aapravasi Ghat: forbidden
- Getting there
- Walk from the waterfront
- Colonial square
- Founder statue
- Short stop
- Free entry
- Works with kids
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Avoid driving into or out of Port Louis at 07
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- Port Louis ↗Sunday is quiet: many shops and stalls close or shorten their hours, so plan visits Monday to Saturday and check hours locally.
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 16:00–17:00
MonTueWedThuFriSatSunQuietest Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun · busiest Fri, Sat · desk estimate
- Tickets
- Adult: Free
- Time to spend
- 15–20 min · up to 30 min if you linger
Know before you go
- The square was the heart of the colonial capital founded by the French governor Mahé de La Bourdonnais in 1735; his statue stands here.
- Government House, the old colonial seat, faces the square.
- Go in the morning before the heat and the traffic.
Best time of day
Plan 15–20 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
10min
Worthwhile
15min
Typical
20min
p95
30min
Open square; buildings keep their own hours.
Tickets & entry
- Where to buy
- No ticket needed.
- Dress code
- Casual.
- Bags & lockers
- Keep bags in front.
- Photos
- Fine of the square; not of officials or security.
- What's closed
- SundayscheckQuiet; nothing is open.
- CeremoniescheckParts of the square may be closed for events.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.
| Ticket | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Free | — |
On the ground
Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work
Getting in
- Stop
- Walk from the waterfront
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- free · official site
- Stairs
- none of note
- Shoes
- Shoes on.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Quiet in the morning; busy in office hours.
- Sensory load
- 2/5
- Exposure
- high
Bailouts
heat
Nearby café
rain
Natural History Museum
Nearest rescue anchor: D — Market toilets and shade (field-verify)
Step-free check
- Step-free entrance: yes · yesnone of note
- Lifts: check · check
- Accessible toilet: check · check
- Wheelchair: yes · yes
- Stroller: yes · yesgood
Level, paved square.
Combine with
- 3 minNatural History Museum
- 9 minBlue Penny Museum
- 10 minCaudan Waterfront restaurants · eat
Walk the Central Market & Aapravasi Ghat 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
- Do not photograph government buildings or officials without permission.
- Watch traffic when crossing to the square.
More on the groundWho it suits · Skip it if · With kids
With kids
- with kids
- Space to walk; watch traffic.
- child price
- Free
Who it suits
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| History fans | ok | A short look at the colonial capital. |
| Photographers | ok | Statue and old facades, mornings. |
| Wheelchair users | good | Level. |
Skip it if
- You have limited time and prefer the market.
Deep dive
Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources
Questions and answers
Is it worth a stop?
Yes as a short walk between the waterfront and the museum.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Can I enter Government House?
Not as a rule; view it from outside.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Sources
- officialMauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
- secondaryWikivoyage — Port Louis