A typical Mauritian village, Souillac is the main town of the Savanne district. Here you’ll find the famous Roche qui Pleure.
This part of the lagoon is not surrounded by coral reefs, and the waves crash against the cliffs. This guarantees a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean and a unique panorama very different from the lagoons of Mauritius.
The village of Souillac plays a key role in the development of the south coast. It boasts numerous health and administrative services, as well as the shops that are essential to the daily lives of the region’s inhabitants.
A little history
Let’s go back to 1787, when Mauritius was called Isle de France. At that time, the island was an important stopover for French ships on their way to India. Strategically, the French also wanted a base for the defense of this part of the country. It was then that the governor, Viscount François de Souillac, decided to create a port for the southwest.
The village has been twinned with the French town of Souillac in the Lot department since 1987. It was initiated by Armand Maudave, former Mauritian ambassador to the United Nations and resident of Souillac (Mauritius), former Lot deputy Alain Chastagnol, then mayor of Souillac (France), and the Comte de Montferrand, descendant of the Viscount of Souillac. Inhabitants of both villages meet regularly in France or in Mauritius to share and celebrate various events.
Inaugurated in 2007 at Le Batelage, the name given to the old port, the bust of the Viscount de Souillac marks the twentieth anniversary of the twinning.
In Souillac, you’ll also find an ocean-facing marine cemetery covering several hectares: the final resting place of the old French colonists who came to Isle de France in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The village post office is renowned as one of the oldest on the island, as is Saint-Jacques church, built in 1845.
Souillac also boasts La Nef, a museum featuring works by the famous Mauritian poet Robert Edward Hart.
Exceptional natural sites
On the steep cliffs of Gris-Gris, La Roche qui Pleure is known for the incessant beating of the waves, which give the impression of shedding tears.
Further north is the Rochester waterfall. A 10-metre-high waterfall that empties into the Savanne River. It is famous for its basalt volcanic rocks. In the heart of nature, it attracts many bathers for its invigorating waters. It’s also a very pleasant place to walk, leading to the Exil waterfall and the Combo natural forest, where the flora and fauna are as magnificent as they are wild.
Another place to discover in Souillac is the charming Jardin Telfair. This seaside spot is a popular picnic spot for locals. The garden is named after Charles Telfair, an Irish naturalist who developed the Bel Ombre sugar estate. Lush vegetation abounds in this magnificent garden, offering splendid views of the Indian Ocean. It is enhanced by large banyan and almond trees.
Souillac Real Estate
Souillac has evolved from a small fishing village into a small town with a dynamic economy.
Indeed, Souillac has benefited greatly from the development of agriculture, including the numerous sugar cane plantations. Well served by transport, its population now exceeds 5,000.
Souillac is the ideal place to combine calm, conviviality and convenience.
Click here to discover all our buying and renting opportunities in Souillac and the surrounding area.
The south of Mauritius has many surprises in store for those who take the time to discover it! It is in this exceptional environment that Côté Sud Immobilier accompanies you in your search for land and property, or for the sale of your real estate.
