Botanical Gardens Mauritius

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses is apparently the highlight of any visit to the north of Mauritius . These world famous gardens were renamed Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens in 1988 in honour of the late Prime Minister but many locals still refer to them by the former name.
Pamplemousses is believed to have taken its name from a citrus plant commonly called the pamplemoucier which was imported by the Dutch from Java. The fruit which grows in the area is thick skinned and bitter and resembles a large grapefruit. The Tamils call it the bambolmas and it is believed that this is the origin of the French word pamplemousse or grapefruit. Parking is available close to the main entrance gate, admission is free
The white wrought iron railings and gates won first prize in the International Exhibition in 1862 at Crystal Palace in London. The garden's origins go back to 1735 when Labourdonnais bought a house in the grounds which he called Mon Plaisir. What began as a humble self sufficient vegetable garden developed into a major fresh food source for ships calling at Port Louis. More here.