Notre Dame des Agnes, Mauritius Overview

Mahebourg is a small city on the picturesque island of Mauritius. Located in the southern side of the island, it has a great line up of popular tourist attractions because of its rich culture and history. Among the notable tourist destinations in Mahebourg, Notre Dame des Agnes is of historical and architectural significance.

The skyline of this small town is glorified with the tower of the church which was originally constructed in 1849 when the Christian missionaries came to the island for the first time. However, the church has been renovated several times over the years.

The Church

As the Virgin Mary on the entrance keeps a watch on the followers to welcome them in, the infamous saint of the island, Padre Jacques Desire Laval’s statue by the holy water is much revered by the locals. The church conducts daily mass sessions and wholeheartedly welcomes anyone who would be interested in seeking the blessings. The good part is that you can come with your offerings at any time of the day as there are no time restrictions in the church. A signpost saying “Beware of the Children” at the entrance garners significant attention from the visitors.

Life in and around Mahebourg is serene, and if you want to absorb the tranquillity of this small city to the maximum, then a visit to the Notre Dame des Agnes is essential. Notre Dame des Agnes is among the notable churches around Mauritius whose architecture is worth admiring for its uniqueness and craftsmanship. Another critical thing to remember is to pack your camera because you would not want to miss on clicking some lovely pictures of the church as well as the lush green surroundings on one side as well the waterfront on the other side.

The Bell Tower

The population of Mahebourg’s religious belief centres around the church of Notre Dame des Agnes and the practice has been prevalent for more than a century by now. The church, 50 m tall, has neo-gothic spires which are visible around the city even from a reasonable distance, say, if someone is near the Rivière La Chaux juncture. If you wish to reach the highest point of the church, you must take the staircases which are on the right side of the church entrance.

Once you successfully climb the series of stairs, you will be able to access the bell tower where you will be mesmerised with the stunning interior décor. If you happen to be art enthusiast, then you will be fascinated with the paintings and carvings on the inside of the bell tower based on the beautiful theme. The artwork on the inside walls of the bell tower provides a surreal glimpse of the work done by talented artisans and sculptors from a bygone era.

Once you are satisfied with the amusement for the frescoes in the bell tower, you can resume climbing the staircases which mean 96 steps more to reach the terrace. On entering the terrace, there is no doubt in saying that you will be captivated by the spellbinding views of the life around Mahebourg, tremendous yet straightforward countryside scenes as if a painter’s brush did the magic with colours in a matter of few strokes.