Moris
Horse racing at the Champ de Mars in Port Louis
Photo: Simson Petrol simson_petrol / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

🏛️ Culture, history & markets · Port Louis

Horse racing at the Champ de Mars

Saturday horse races at the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere (1812), under the mountains of Port Louis: a huge local event.

🚗 From the villa50 min · 33.7 kmoff-peak estimate
⏱️ Time needed3–4 hnot counting the drive
🕓 Best time of day🌤️ Afternoon
💰 PriceRs 0–500 (CHF 0–9)Cheap public entry; stands cost more.

Horse racing is a national passion: on race days, crowds from every community fill the Champ de Mars, a racecourse created in 1812 at the foot of the Moka mountains in Port Louis. Food stalls, betting and an electric atmosphere, especially for the big races.

The season runs from about March to late November or early December: check the programme for November.

  • Oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere
  • Electric local atmosphere

Getting there

Driving route from the villa

🚗 By car: 50 min (33.7 km) off-peak. Very busy: park at the Caudan and walk, or take a taxi. Directions in Google Maps ↗

  • 🚕 Taxi from the villa: about Rs 1,350–1,800 one way per car (agree the price first; a return trip with waiting time is often negotiable).

Tips

  • 💡 Check the Mauritius Turf Club calendar for race days.

Our notes & votes