Background
This beauty of 37 hectares is in large part the work of Pierre Poivre, administrator intendant of Mauritius (then Isle de France). Initially it was the residence of Mahé de La Bourdonnais, called Mon Plaisir de La Bourdonnais. Pierre Poivre bought it from the former in 1770.
Another key contributor to this project was Nicolas Céré, who invested his own wealth to establish the garden. It was neglected for 30 years before James Duncan became its savior in 1849 by restoring it. He brought in different species of palm trees which can still be found in the garden today.
Under French rule, it was called “Jardin de Mon Plaisir”, then “Jardin des Plantes”, “Le Jardin National de l’Ile de France”, “Jardin Royal” and finally “Jardin Botanique des Pamplemousses”. British settlers called it “The Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses” and “The Royal Botanic Gardens, Pamplemousses”, before being named “Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden” in 1988, after the first Prime Minister of Mauritius.
Flavours from the world
The garden contains cinnamon, nutmeg, bay and clove trees, much to the happiness of spice lovers. These spices are commonly used in Mauritian dishes.
Flowers and Trees
Of the flowers that can be found in the garden are: The Trochetia Boutoniana (the national flower of Mauritius), the Lotus, the Jasmine, the Bougainvillea, the Royal Poinciana (Flamboyant), the Orchid, the Eucalyptus and the beautiful Brown Grandiceps.
There are about 95 species of palm trees there; the ephemeral Talipot, the Ravenala and the indigenous Vacoas are some of them. Another endemic tree in the garden is the Ebony tree.
The waterlilies dispersed over the pond are worth a sight too.
Fauna
Deer, parrots, tortoises, ducks and Madagascar Moorhens call the garden home. Take a look at the branches above you; you might spot the Mauritian Flying Fox, an endemic bat.
Historical milestones
The main monument in the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden remains the residence of Mahé de La Bourdonnais, what is now called the “Château de Mon Plaisir”.
A model of an old sugar factory – which contributed greatly to the Mauritian economy – was erected in 1953.
Some alleys in the garden have been named after Pierre Poivre, La Bourdonnais, Darwin and Bernardin de St Pierre.
Some trees have been planted by some of the most famous public figures in the world, such as Princesse Margaret, Mahatma Gandhi, François Mitterrand, Indira Gandhi and Nelson Mandela (among others).
This botanical garden was born out of some men’s passion for nature. It represents the efforts to bring together hints of different countries in a single place. Titillating senses, it is no wonder this place for long occupied the third place “among all the gardens that could be admired over the surface of the globe”. Visit the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden for a fulfilling stroll.
Pamplemousses - Botanical Garden
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden is situated in the Independence Street in the district of Pamplemousses in the north of Mauritius. It is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It takes about one hour to visit the whole place and carts are available for this purpose on rent.