Champ de Mars – Port Louis

Champ de Mars – Port-Louis

Champ de Mars – Port-Louis

🎧 3 stories

In the heart of Port Louis, Champ de Mars is one of the most iconic sites in Mauritian history. A former military ground turned racecourse in 1812, it is also linked to one of the country’s major events: Mauritius’s independence.

Did you know?

The first official day of horse racing at Champ de Mars took place on 25 June 1812. Originally, the races were meant partly to help bring the French-speaking population and the new British administration closer together after the British took the island in 1810. But Champ de Mars also went down in national history on 12 March 1968: it was here that the ceremony marking Mauritius’s independence took place and the Mauritian flag was raised.

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Sources: Bank of Mauritius – historical archives; Mauritius Turf Club archives; Histoire(s) Mauricienne(s); Mauritian historical documentation.