Mauritius - Practical Information

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Like many reputable holiday companies we are ABTA registered, our ABTA membership number is 65310.

We also use ATOL protected tour operators. However if you wish to use a tour operator who is not ATOL protected then we will take our supplier failure insurance on your behalf.

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Money and banking Many French banks are represented in St-Denis. Currency and travellers’ cheques can be changed at all the banks and most have ATMs.

Here are a number of post offices in the capital. The main post office (% 0262 211212; ( 07.30–18.00 Mon–Fri, 08.00–12.00 Sat) is on the corner of Rue Maréchal Leclerc and Rue Juliette Dodu. It also handles poste restante.

Public telephones are widespread and, as throughout the island, the majority take phonecards (télécartes). These can be bought at post offices, newsagents and shops displaying the sign.

For internet access try La Maison du Voyageur (18 Rue Rontaunay), which also offers fixed line overseas call facilities, post box rental, photocopying and assistance with seeking accommodation. Alternatively, head to Force Réseau, 148 Rue Jean Chatel (% 0692 380738).

Medical care he main hospital is on Allée des Topazes, Bellepierre (% 0262 905050) and there are numerous medical practitioners. There are plenty of pharmacies – a good starting point is Rue Maréchal Leclerc.

AROUND ST-DENIS

East of St-Denis is the booming district of Ste-Clotilde, where the University of Réunion campus is found. St-François is a residential area in the mountains overlooking St-Denis, with a mild climate and lush vegetation. Higher up, at 800m, is Le Brûlé, a starting point for hikes on the Plaine-des-Chicots, which rises to the Roche Ecrite (2,275m). This overlooks the Cirque de Salazie. La Montagne is another residential area west of St-Denis, praised for its pleasant climate. The winding road lined with flamboyant trees features some excellent viewpoints.

About 12km east of St-Denis city centre is the village of Ste-Marie. There is little to see in the village itself but nearby Rivière des Pluies is known for its statue of the Black Virgin (La Vierge Noire). The statue stands in a tall white shrine to the left of the village church, surrounded by an explosion of flower arrangements and row upon row of candles. People arrive in droves to pray to her for good health, prosperity and protection. The story goes that a runaway slave fled to the place where the shrine now stands. There, the Black Virgin appeared to him, instructing him to hide under a flimsy bush. The slave complied, although the bush was much too small to conceal him properly. Just before the slave hunters reached the spot, the Black Virgin instantly increased the size of the bush, thereby completely covering the runaway. To honour her, the slave then carved the statue and, subsequently, the shrine was erected.

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Mauritius - Practical Information

St Denis

Mauritius - Practical Information