A SITE OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The name of Le Caudan Waterfront comes from a famous figure of the past, Jean Dominique Michel de Caudan, who came to former Isle de France from Languedoc (a department in the South of France).
He started a salt pan in 1726, close to a small bay in the south-west of Port-Louis. This area, now known as the Robert Edward Hart Garden, is situated on the entrance road to Le Caudan Waterfront.
A historical site, the peninsula called Le Caudan was created around a fossil coral islet, hosting a powder magazine, an astronomic and meteorological observatory, quays, warehouses and various small enterprises over the last 250 years. This popular harbour area was living according to the rhythm of the sugar industry until the creation of the Bulk Sugar Terminal in 1980. From these 150 years of millions of sugar bags transiting by boat, train or trucks, carried by hundreds of hands, only a few old walls are still standing and speak to the mind...
Several popular spots of Le Caudan Waterfront bear a strong historical significance. The first meteorological observatory of the Indian Ocean now hosts the Food Court and the Namasté restaurant. The building hosting the Blue Penny Museum was the former Docks office. The appellations of the different wings of the complex are indeed reminiscent of episodes of the country's rich history:
- The main building, known as Barkly Wharf, has been named after Sir Henry Barkly, Member of Parliament of the British government and appointed governor of Mauritius from 1863-1870.
- Le Pavillon wing – an ancient map of Port Louis reveals the existence of Pavillon Street exactly where the Pedestrian Alley of Le Caudan is located. The origins of this appellation could go back to the period when Port Louis was called 'Port Napoléon'.
- Dias Pier, the most recent wing of Le Caudan Waterfront, is a tribute to Diogo Dias, brother of the famous navigator Barthoulomeu Dias. Based on some historical evidence, it is believed that Diogo Dias was the first to record the Mascarene Islands, which include Mauritius, on a navigation map.
