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The Dutch left Mauritius in 1710. After their departure, the French took possession of the island
and named it Ile de France. The rst French Governor, Denis de Nyon, arrived on the island with
a group of people from France.
He gave new names to the two harbours in the island. The north west harbour was named Port
Louis. Find out why he chose to name the harbour Port Louis.
However, the French settled at Grand Port.
French ships called at Grand Port for fresh water and food supply. They brought many useful
goods for the settlers.
The sailors found that the harbour was not safe.The South EastTrade Winds helped their ships
toenterthebaybutmadeitdifculttoleave.Thereefsandthenarrowpassalsomadeit
difcultforshipstoenterandleavetheharbour.
Maupin, who was the governor before Labourdonnais, decided to make Port Louis the main
harbour of Ile de France instead of Grand Port.
Why was Port Louis chosen?
ThePortLouis/Mokarangeshelteredtheharbourfromstrongwinds.Thesailorsweresatised
with the decision of Governor Maupin. A plan of the new port was drawn but Maupin did little to
develop it.
1.2 port louis during the french period (18 th century)
1.2.1 Port louis; the main harbour of ile de france
THINK
Pic. 2 port louis surrounded by mountains
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