Luxury holidays in Riviere du Rempart

Tucked away in the north-eastern pocket of Mauritius, the district of Rivière du Rempart is less built-up than its western counterpart but all the more glamourous. If anywhere conforms to the island’s postcard-perfect reputation, it’s here, with miles of unspoilt coastline, turquoise waters and the best breeze on the island providing a natural AC when things get a little too toasty. If you can entice yourself away from the powder-white beaches – and, let’s be honest, that may be quite a feat – you’ll be rewarded with pretty fishing villages and a fascinating cultural bag. In the north, Cap Malheureux is home to the iconic red-roofed church Notre Dame Auxiliatrice where you can while away the hours with a fine view of the islands. It’s also home to the legend of Paul and Virginie, or what Mark Twain once referred to as ‘the one prominent event in the history of Mauritius that didn’t even happen’. Romantics can visit the tomb of the tragic lovers in Pamplemousses, a sleepy one-street town with a world-class botanical garden and interactive museum, tracing 300 years of the island’s sugar-trade history. Encircled almost entirely by a barrier reef, Rivière du Rempart is a mecca for watersports, too; catch a kayak to the mano-fringed Amber island, take a dip with wild dolphins or simply lie back, cocktail in hand, and let your tan take care of itself.