Mauritius beachesTrou-aux-Biches BeachFlic En Flac beachMont Choisy BeachLe Morne BeachBlue bay beachLa Cambuse beachTamarin BeachBel Ombre beachGris Gris beachBelle Mare beachLa Cuvette beachPereybere BeachGrand Baie beachSt Felix beachHibiscus beachLa Prairie beachIle aux Cerfs beachPoste Lafayette beachAnse La Raie BeachLa Preneuse beach
Tamarin Falls - Les 7 CascadesChamarel WaterfallsCascade MamzelleAlexandra FallsCascade 500 piedsEureka Falls
Casela Nature ParksBlack River Gorges National ParkSSR Botanic GardenChamarel Seven Colored Earth GeoparkSeven Colored Earth Ground Zero
What to see in MauritiusChateau de LabourdonnaisCitadelle - Fort AdelaideBlue Penny MuseumJummah MosqueSt. Louis CathedralSockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Notre Dame AuxiliatriceMore sightseeing
Mauritius 5 star hotels & resorts: luxury and comfort in the exotic natureLUX Le Morne
Car rental
Mauritius: plan a tripMauritius: Perfect Vacation DestinationsTaxi in MauritiusMauritius weatherMauritius map
☰

Citadelle - Fort Adelaide

Updated: September 9, 2024

  • Mauritius
  • Mauritius
  • Mauritius
  • Mauritius
  • Mauritius
  • Mauritius

1 of 6

Fort Adelaide, also known as La Citadelle, is a historic military fortification located on a hill in the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis. The fort was built in the 1830s by British colonists and named after Queen Adelaide, wife of British King William IV.

History

Fort Adelaide was built during the period of British rule in Mauritius, just after the island came under their control in 1810. The main purpose of building the fort was to strengthen the defenses of the city of Port Louis and to keep an eye out for potential rebellions by the locals, including former slaves and French settlers. The fort also served to protect the city from possible attacks from the sea.
Despite its defensive function, Fort Adelaide was never used for military operations. Today it is a historical monument and a symbol of British heritage on the island.

Architecture

Fort Adelaide is built of dark volcanic stone and has typical military architecture of the time: massive walls, bastions and casemates that served to house soldiers and store ammunition. It is located 240 meters above sea level, offering an excellent view of Port Louis and its surroundings, as well as the harbor, which provided strategic control over the city.

Inside the fort, the barracks, powder cellars and small observation towers have been preserved. Although the interior is not used for its intended purpose today, tourists are free to explore the fort's grounds.

Panoramic views

One of the main attractions of Fort Adelaide is its magnificent panoramic views of Port Louis and its harbor. The hilltop offers spectacular views of the city, the ocean and the surrounding mountains, making it a popular destination for tourists and photographers.

Tourism

Nowdays, Fort Adelaide is one of the main tourist attractions in Port Louis. You can climb the hill and explore the fortification, learn more about its history and enjoy stunning views of the city and its surroundings. The fort is open to visitors from 8am to 5pm and admission is free.

How to get there

Fort Adelaide is located on a hill known as Peter Bott Hill and is easily accessible from anywhere in Port Louis. You can reach it by car, cab or even on foot if you are in the city center. The pedestrian route takes about 15-20 minutes.