Tropical Escape to Mauritius

It is the magic of the four S's: you come for the Sand, the Sun, and the Service, and you receive the Smile as a bonus! Naturally gentle and hospitable, the people of Mauritius are the island's greatest asset. Both discreet and open, they welcome travelers with respect and friendliness and do everything to enhance their stay. While the tourism industry is one of the pillars of the economy, this behavior is not a direct consequence. Because Mauritians, perhaps due to their African and Indian origins, are naturally calm, fatalistic, and approachable, even endearing, with a simple and sincere spontaneity that characterizes them. This results in some of the best hotel and tourism services in the world and an atmosphere of literally contagious nonchalance!

First, the gentle climate: never too hot thanks to the trade winds on the coast, nor too cold with an average winter temperature of 20°C, and rarely severe, even during cyclone season, as storms generally pass offshore. Then, the gentle landscapes where the legendary beauty of the beaches competes with the more discreet charm of the interior lands. In Mauritius, there are no high peaks or dizzying heights: the island rounds into green hills, carved with multicolored valleys and watered by waterfalls. From the top of the hills, the view plunges onto stretches of white sand bordered by turquoise waters. And from the beaches below, eyes get lost in small mountain ranges creating lace-like patterns of rock and greenery against the blue sky. No breathtaking or grandiose panoramas, but a natural heritage that delights the senses and often evokes emotion.

From France, Mauritius is one of the ideal and easily accessible destinations. It does not have a significant time difference (3 hours in winter, 2 hours in summer). The weather is pleasant all year round. The infrastructure is high quality with five-star hospitality. The political context is stable, the wildlife is harmless, and hygiene standards are satisfactory. Mosquitoes, although annoying, do not carry malaria. In terms of sanitation, the island is clean and its local cuisine can be enjoyed without worry. Mauritius has good private clinics for emergencies. You can go there with your family without concern: well-stocked pharmacies, exemplary nannies, and hotels with mini-clubs. Crime is limited and the atmosphere exudes vacation vibes! They speak standard French enriched with delightful old expressions. Although English dominates in administrations and schools, French prevails in the press and playgrounds. Creole, spoken by all inhabitants, derives directly from French.

A pleasant temperature all year round, an immense lagoon protected by a coral reef, warm white sand bordered by coconut trees... Mauritius has strong attractions for lovers of beachside leisure. In 40 years, it is indeed the genuine beauty of its beaches that has captivated millions of tourists, making the destination appealing and competitive. This natural maritime heritage, which was self-sufficient until recently, has been enriched by a promising development of green and cultural tourism: exploring the primary forest on foot, horseback, or mountain bike, guided hikes to the summits of the hills, zip-lining over ravines and waterfalls, cultural strolls in planter houses transformed into museums. This results in a different and varied tourist offering, leading to a discovery of the island from the interior and not just its coastline. Old buildings are transformed into bed and breakfasts, charming rustic cottages emerge from the lush vegetation, luxury cabins are set up facing waterfalls... promising exclusive moments far from the beaches and experiences complementary to a purely seaside stay.

By reputation and in fact, it is one of the best in the world. Besides excellent service provided by a team of employees trained at a high level, the island boasts international hotel gems, where the discretion of the butlers is matched only by the refinement of the spas. Constance Prince Maurice, Shangri-La's Le Touessrok, Royal Palm Beachcomber, One & Only Le Saint Géran, The Oberoi Mauritius, Four Seasons Resort... these establishments with exceptional architecture welcome famous stars and businesspeople, who are showered with attention. Even in slightly less starred establishments and in guesthouses and smaller places, one can enjoy quality service and much better overall amenities than on many other Indian Ocean islands.

It's one of the island's assets, and not the least. Drawing its inspiration from Indian, French, and Chinese culinary traditions, Mauritian gastronomy is a fusion cuisine that knows how to highlight local products. Rich in fish and seafood, Mauritius also has good market gardening lands that supply it with fresh fruits and vegetables. Get your forks ready!