CHOOSE VIEUX GRAND PORT
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WHAT AWAITS YOU?
An immersive experience in the landscape of Vieux Grand Port with history and heritage. You are a lover of history, culture and nature you have them all in one place - Vieux Grand Port. You experience and learn about the multiple aspects of the landscape, seascape and culture of the region, in the company of Heritage and Environment Professionals and the local community. Monuments, Archaeological Sites, Mangroves, Mountain, Authentic Mauritian Cuisine by locals or simply a moment of relaxation with a coffee:
You have it all in VGP!
Heritage Trail
Our heritage trail make you discover and understand the landscape, the sites and the people in Vieux Grand Port. Heritage Mediators including historian, archaeologist, heritage expert and environmentalist walk you through the landscape with engaging discussion on history, archaeology, research, environment, living heritage and their value in our culture and society. The visits can be done on foot or through a ride.
Boat Tour
We take you to discover the mangroves and understand the seascape of Vieux Grand Port on a traditional wooden boat called Pirog. You are accompanied by a heritage professional and a local fisherman.
Basketry Workshop
You can experience and learn basketry from pandanus leaves by artisans offering visits and workshops. Many artisans in the village grew up with this talent and have professionalise themselves. In their company you learn how to treat the pandanus/ vacoas leaves and make a mat or basket which you can take with you.
Pirog Making Workshop
Once a very important craft of the island this intangible heritage is slowly disappearing. Experience the pirog making from professional boat maker/ charpentier marine of the village. A living heritage which has been passed through generations in a family. They impart this traditional knowledge. Join!
Kanot Making Workshop
You want to take your children off their mobiles for a day, bring them to learn and experience the creative games kids were enjoying in the past. Join the Kanot making workshop. The Kanot is built with palm leaves as a maquette of the pirog and it can be placed in water to race. It forms part of our living heritage of coastal villages on the island. Help us to safeguard and promote it.
Fishing Adventure
You can spend a day on a pirog in the lagoon, with a local fisherman and enjoy a fishing experience with the line or the cage/ casie. Expert in his field who are the fishermen are here to share their knowledge and narrate their everyday adventures at sea.
Mangroves Walk
Situated between the sea and the land are the mangroves with a specific ecosystem. As part of the sensetisation program on mangroves conservation, an expert take you for a walk through these coastal plants. You get the chance to understand the importance of mangroves for our environment and for human. It is safe to walk on your own if you prefer the solitude amidst these plants.
Lion Hike
In the company of professional hikers (Eden Hikes), you can climb the Lion Mountain from where you get a unique view of Vieux Grand Port landscape and bay. This hike is not just about boosting your metabolism but also to enjoy the nature and biodiversity of the mountain and to understand the role played by this mountain in the history of the island.
Geological Tour
Commonly known as 'place corail' Vieux Grand Port has meters high of fossilized sand dunes. With expert in geology and quaternary we make you discover and understand amazing geological features of the area and of the island at large.
Food
VGP offers an authentic traditional Mauritian cuisine. Locals cook for you and you can enjoy a full meal in a table d'hôte or at a beach banquet customized for you. Otherwise you can just drop by the merchant of dal puri and chanapuri for a rapid snack and enjoy the taste street food in Mauritius.
Didgeridoo Music Workshop
Not in Australia, but in Vieux Grand Port Mauritius, an exceptional artist offers you a musical experiment in Didgeridoo. He is also an artisan does not only resonate the instrument but also makes it.
Sega
And why not a few moves on the beat of Sega, the musical pride of Mauritians. A group of youngsters from VGP beat the ravane and sing the sega. You can try to play the instruments ravane, maravane and triang or simply move on the rhythm.
Coffee Shop - Coming Soon
After a day of activity in the village, you must be tired. Stop by the VGP Cafe for a cold homemade juice or a strong coffee to continue your day. A cozy corner in a small stone building, once a shop, given new life through a cafe and artisanal shop.
Artisanal Shop & Workshop - coming soon
You want a souvenir to take back home or a homemade snack to eat later, drop by the VGP Artisanal Shop. A shop where the locals expose and sell the craft and products. This space is also a workshop to train and empower the locals in crafts and souvenirs. You can also have a coffee here.
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