Did you know that in Curepipe there is not only rain, the Royal College, the Darné Clinic, the Town Hall and the mythical Jan Pallach Station? And yes, there is also the second largest flower garden in Mauritius called; The Botanical Garden of Curepipe.
Yes, a few kilometres from the city centre, along the road that leads to the Fortis Darné clinic, there is a magnificent life-size garden. Several hectares in size, the Curepipe Botanical Garden, or commonly known as the SSR Botanical Garden of Curepipe in honour of the father of the nation, is the second largest area reserved for flowers in Mauritius after that of Pamplemousses. The attraction in Curepipe, mainly for the area comprising Les Casernes, Robinson and Camp Caval. This garden occupies part of the former Mare aux Joncs estate and comprises some 25 acres. The azaleas are in full bloom in winter. Placid ponds and green flowerbeds adorn the garden.
The botanical garden of Curepipe was created in 1870. It was the descendants of French settlers who created it with a myriad of exotic and endemic plants from the Mascarene Islands. Spread over an area of two hectares, this garden is home to imposing palm trees, a multitude of rare lataniers and ferns, immense tambalacoques, olive woods and matted woods, which rise up in the heart of a luxuriant vegetation. In 2011, the botanical garden of Curepipe was restored for the last time.
As soon as you enter the garden, you are in ecstasy. The greenery seduces and the atmosphere cuts you off from the rest of the world. Tall trees cover almost the entire area, while the sound of birdsong can be heard, and in the distance a children's garden is added to the auditorium of this mythical garden. The Botanical Garden of Curepipe has all the assets to please the lovers of quiet corners. The visit begins and it is up to you to let yourself be surprised by the natural spectacle that is offered to you. And if you hear the sound of a stream nearby, you're right. In fact, a river of fresh water flows through the garden and feeds a lake of crystal clear water along the way. Others prefer the more romantic atmosphere of a stroll along the paths under the tall trees. The Botanical Garden of Curepipe is also a favourite site for joggers, families looking for a change of scenery or children attracted by the attractions at the entrance.
Les jardins ont été initialement meublés avec une riche collection de plantes exotiques qui ont été introduites à l'île Maurice comme plantes ornementales, en particulier les rhododendrons, les camphres et une gamme d'arbres fruitiers exotiques. Les azalées, sur les armoiries de Curepipe, ornent également le jardin. Cependant, il dispose maintenant d’une petite collection croissante des plantes endémiques les plus rares et les plus menacées de l’Ile Maurice. En parlant de plante menacée d’extinction, on retrouve là un palmier. Hyophorbe amaricaulis, le palmier le plus rare du monde. Le seul qui existe est le spécimen se trouvant dans l’enceinte du jardin de Curepipe. Il est le seul spécimen de son espèce, car toutes les nombreuses tentatives de fertilisation croisée ont échoué. La plante est maintenant entourée de clôtures de sécurité pour sa protection. Il mesure environ 12 mètres de haut, avec un mince tronc gris et de rares fleurs blanches crémeuses.
As mentioned above, it was in 1870 that settler descendants decided to establish the Curepipe Botanical Garden. However, some 100 years later, in the mid-1980s, the botanical garden was named Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. The latter was the one who, through his struggle in the 1960s, led Mauritius to its independence.