Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Mauritius Port Louis Champ de Mars
AO Edited

Champ de Mars

Dating back to 1812, this is the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere.

Port Louis, Mauritius

Added By
Tao Tao Holmes
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Champ de Mars Racecourse   Martin Falbisoner/CC BY-SA 4.0
Champ de Mars Racecourse   Wikihamish/CC-BY-SA-3.0
Champ de Mars Racecourse   Ashok Prabhakaran/CC BY-SA 2.0
  Ursula / Atlas Obscura User
  Ursula / Atlas Obscura User
A painting of the Champ de Mars in Port Louis in 1880.   Numa Desjardins/Public Domain
Maiden Cup 2006 at Champ de Mars Racecourse   Wikihamish/CC BY-SA 3.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Founded in 1812, the Champ de Mars Racecourse is the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere and the second-oldest in the world. Located in Mauritius’ capital of Port Louis, the track held its first races in June 1812, the same year that British forces took over the island from the French. When the country finally declared its independence 156 years later, it was right here at the racecourse.

The Champs de Mars Racecourse was created under the auspices of the Mauritius Turf Club, founded by Britain’s Colonel Draper. Before 1810, the area was a military training ground for French troops. The course has a circumference of 1,298 meters (4,258 feet), and viewers can spectate from stadium seating as well as private lodges. Inside the course, you’ll find a statue of King Edward VII by sculptor Prosper d’Épinay as well as an obelisk known as the Malartic Tomb, which pays tribute to a French governor.

Today, the races meet a high international standard, and racing is one of the country’s most popular sports. Mauritius’ big horse races include the Duchess of York Cup, Barbé Cup, Maiden Cup, and the Duke of York Cup. The horses and jockeys come mostly from South Africa and Australia, and the racing season extends from April to November, with races held on weekends. The manager and owner are known to be very friendly and welcoming to visitors, and might just show you around if you run into them.

You can stroll up to Champ de Mars from the harbor, nestled in a valley surrounded by the country’s jagged volcanic mountains, all while enjoying the soft Indian Ocean breeze. Afterward, you can head back downtown, past the mosques and Chinatown, the British statues and French-language schools, for any of the country’s many cuisines.

Related Tags

Colonialism Races Horses Competitions Sports History

Community Contributors

Added By

taotaoholmes

Edited By

Ursula, Michelle Cassidy

  • Ursula
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

May 26, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13882731
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293817-d2005207-Reviews-or10-Port_Louis_Race_track-Port_Louis.html#REVIEWS
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champ_de_Mars_Racecourse#cite_note-Ibrahim-1
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_racing
  • http://www.discovermauritiusisland.com/discover/visits/champ-de-mars-horse-racing/
  • http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mauritius/port-louis/sights/sporting-venues/champ-de-mars-racecourse
Champ de Mars
9 Dauphine St
Port Louis
Mauritius
-20.169159, 57.510089
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Le Pouce (The Thumb)

Moka, Mauritius

miles away

The Last Bois Dentelle Trees

Mauritius

miles away

Seven Coloured Earths

Chamarel, Mauritius

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mauritius

Mauritius

Africa

Places 5
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Le Pouce (The Thumb)

Moka, Mauritius

miles away

The Last Bois Dentelle Trees

Mauritius

miles away

Seven Coloured Earths

Chamarel, Mauritius

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mauritius

Mauritius

Africa

Places 5
Stories 5

Related Places

  • The Kiplingcotes Derby, 2015.

    Kiplingcotes, England

    Kiplingcotes Derby

    You don't have to be a professional jockey to ride in Britain's oldest horse race.

  • Lookout from plaque, featuring Fiesta Island across the water to the left, where most of the race took place.

    San Diego, California

    Birthplace of Modern Triathlon

    In September 1974, a small group of athletes completed the first modern triathlon event in San Diego's Mission Bay.

  • Tommy the Turtle

    Boissevain, Manitoba

    Tommy the Turtle

    This colossal reptile celebrates the history of the now-defunct Canadian Turtle Derby.

  • The Quintain on Offham Green.

    Offham, England

    Offham Quintain

    Horsemen once used this tilting post during jousting practice.

  • The headstone of Thoroughbred racehorse Martimas.

    Burlington, Ontario

    Martimas's Grave

    The racehorse's headstone highlights a forgotten part of the Hendrie Park Gardens' history.

  • Chastleton House across the croquet lawn.

    Chastleton, England

    Chastleton House Croquet Lawn

    Where the rules of that most quintessentially English game were first devised by an eccentric inventor.

  • Kojomkul Memorial.

    Kojomkul, Kyrgyzstan

    Kojomkul Memorial

    An unusual monument to a gentle giant who became a Kyrgyz hero.

  • The members banking.

    Weybridge, England

    Brooklands Racetrack Remains

    The world's first purpose-built motor racetrack was destroyed by the outbreak of two world wars.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.