Mon Choix Mauritius B&B, bed & breakfast
country hotel, studios in Vallée des Prêtres near Port Louis is a unique,
peaceful island holiday location from where to discover all the authentic
Mauritius attractions
Vallée des Prêtres
(An historic and mystical place you will enjoy)
ORIGIN of the NAME
“Vallée des Prêtres” (where Mon Choix is situated) dates back from 1789 when at the beginning of the French Revolution, the French Government which possessed Isle de France (Mauritius) decided to end their financial assistance to the catholic clergy on the island. Instead, the priests residents on the island were given a relatively large piece of land in proximity of Port Louis (the Capital) which they were encouraged to develop in order to supply the visiting ships with fresh vegetables and livestock. The objective was that they would use the proceeds to pay for their needs. And that is how this beautiful valley became known as the “Valley of the Priests”.
The French Government gave almost the whole valley to the Catholic priests who in turn sub-divided it among a number of small planters and farmers who later-on lodged a “prescription” which gave them legal tenure on the property on which they were working. Thereafter, the land was sold and bought but the main economic activity in the valley remained the same – agriculture and farming.
POPULATION
The population of Vallée des Prêtres is a reflection of that of Mauritius inasmuch as it is composed mostly of Indians, Muslims and Creoles with a few Chinese and Franco-Mauritians. Each of these components live in harmony with each other , but still very much within its own community in specific spots in the Valley.
Any visitor to Vallée des Prêtres will feel the valley's strong historical and cultural heritage and vibration. There are plenty of stories, myths, facts, monuments and visible signs which together with the people's behavior create the mystique of the valley. One can almost hear the comotion and the sound of gun-fire and clashing swords near La Rivière des Lataniers where a French column prevented temporarily the advancing British troops from entering Port Louis one night in November 1810. The game of light and shadows on the surrounding mountains, the rainbows and the giant fruit bats give the valley an air of surrealism. The daily offerings of fruits and flowers and prayers by the inhabitants to the various gods easily transport the new-comer in another world where the spirit empowers those who seek peace, beauty and wisdom. The various churches, mosques, shivalas and kalimays as well as the colourful garments, sarees, kurtas and churidars, coupled to the wide range of chinese, creole, indian and muslim foods available do create a unique, fascinating and very attractive mix of cultural flavours.
GEOGRAPHY
From sea level, the land rises to some 700 feet where the village of Chitrakoot is located at the foot of the mountain range. The fact that the valley is surrounded by some 300° of mountains is a clear indication that it was created very long ago by a volcano. And the only opening to the sea was created by the lava which flowed northwards. One of the proof that this valley was once below the sea is that seashells have been found relatively high up near the mountain reserve by an engineer who was prospecting for water. (Note: You can locate “Mon Choix” on Google Earth at 705 feet, 20°10’55.27”S and 57°32’56.17”E.)
PERSONALITIES
The personalities who have contributed the most to give the Valley its strong cultural character are: (a) Père Désiré Laval, a french missionary who did much to alleviate the plight of the poor during the French tenure (1715 – 1810) and who is greatly revered to the day by members of all communities. (b) Marcel Cabon, a Mauritian poet who came to live in the Valley to write “Namasté” - one of the most beautiful local roman. (c) Malcolm de Chazal, a leading Mauritian philosopher, poet, painter and visionary who spent a lot of his time walking and meditating in the Valley while he was writing “Petrusmok” - the revelation of the mountains. And of course, Paul and Virginie – the two main characters in the story written by Bernadin de Saint Pierre. These two youngsters we are told, fell in love on the banks of the Rivière des Lataniers, which river was also made famous by the well-known lullaby “Mo Passé la-Rivière Tanier”.
FAUNA
Many animals still live in the valley. Apart from the numerous dogs, cats, chicken, toads, kourpas and tangs (Tenrec), there is a relatively large variety of butterflies and birds, including the Pic Pic (Zosterops Mauritianus), the Bulbul (Hyposipetes Olivaceus), the Cardinal or Fody (Foudia Rubra) and the Tourterelle; as well as the gecko, the Lésard Vert (Phelsuma Ornata), the giant fruit bats (Pteropus Niger) and the lovely Paille-en-Queue (Phaethon Lepturus) which comes from the sea to lay their eggs and hatch in secure spots on the mountain cliffs. One must also not forget our Mauritian Zako (monkey) which live in the surrounding mountains and often come down to pinch the freshly planted sugarcane and vegetables.
FLORA
A wide variety of plants can be found all over the valley and in the mountain reserves, including some very rare and native plants. Just to name a few, the Cynorkis Fastigiata (orchid), the Vacoas (Pandanus Weihei – the main Dodo food), the Bois de Chandelle (Dracaena Concinna and Reflexa), the Patte de Lézard (Selaginella Concinna), the Bois de Natte (Labourdonnaisia Glauca), the Bois d’Ebène Noir (Diospyros Tessellaria), the Bois d’Olive (Cassine Orientalis), as well as the Acacia, Privet, Tecoma, Aloes, Bois Noir, Poivre Marron and Goyave de Chine.
MAIN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
The main economic activity in the valley is still agriculture (sugarcane and vegetables) on the higher ground and trading (shops, chemists, hardware stores) lower down. There are a few tailors, hair-dressers, doctors, teachers, bakers, motor mechanics, panel beaters, food outlets and taxi service.
RELIGIONS
The religions of Mauritius, namely: Hinduism (52 percent), Roman Catholicism (31 percent), Islam (16 percent) and Buddhism (1 percent) are represented by a number of churches, mosques, shivalas and kalimays in the valley. Within Hinduism there are many variants, which correspond to variants found in India itself. Practices of animal sacrifice are common in rural areas. Maratha and Tamil variants of Hinduism are also distinctive in relation to the dominant Bihari variety. Every year, the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated by Hindus, who march from Vallée des Prêtres to a lake Ganga Talao (in the Southern part of the island). Most Muslims are Sunnis; a few are Shias and Ahmadis. A local Catholic custom is an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Jacques-Désiré Laval, a now-beatified nineteenth-century priest. Syncretist beliefs are common, and traces of heterodox European and Indian beliefs and traditional African beliefs can be identified among Hindus and Creoles alike, particularly in rural areas. Belief in witchcraft is common, but it is rarely important socially.
There are many religious ceremonies during the year, including: Sankranti (Tamil), Cavadee (incl. Firewalking), Chinese New Year, Maha Shivaratree, Holi, Mehraj Shariff, Id El Fitr, Ougadi (Telegu), Varusha Pirappu, Shabbe Baraat, Seemadree Appana Parsa, Sittarai Cavadee, Corpus Christi, Id El Adha, Raksha Bandhan, Divali, Ganesh Chaturti, Père Laval, All Saints Day, Ghoon, Virgin Mary, Yaum Un Nabi, Ganga Asnan, Muharram and Christmas – all celebrated with devotion and in total harmony with the other cultural and religious groups living side by side.
MOUNTAINS
If one is positioned in the valley and looking North-West towards the sea, the mountains clockwise (on some 300°) are: Long Mountain, L’Echelle Rock, Cantins Peak, Virgins Peak, Caroline, Pieter Both, Crève Coeur, Grand Peak, Grand Glacis, Le Pouce, The Window, and Priest Peak.
WALKS (Hiking)
Because of its proximity to the surrounding hills and mountains, Mon Choix - La Maison de Vallée des Prêtres offers its guests a wide range of hiking trails. Some a bit longer and steeper than others. But all very accessible, secure and pleasurable.
RAINBOWS & SHOOTING STARS
During the day, the guests at Mon Choix - La Maison de Vallée des Prêtres are often served with magnificent rainbows. And at night, while admiring the vast amount of stars, they will see shooting stars. And with a little chance, they may even see some big ones with a wide green tail!
LIFESTYLE
The lifestyle in the valley is very laid-back and pleasant due to the general courtesy and very conservative nature of the predominant Indian culture. Their devotion to their gods, their regular prayer and religious services, their respect for women and elders, as well as their acceptance of fatality and of a strong family bond, including the parents’ choice of their marriage partner, do contribute to an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Especially up the mountain at Chitrakoot where Mon Choix - La Maison de Vallée des Prêtres is situated, children are very well behaved and polite. People always greet each other on the street. And although the inhabitants are relatively poor, everyone is very proud of their village and “lieu de résidence” which is kept very clean. It is also a very secure and safe area due to the solidarity and care of the residents for each other. And because of its beautiful location in a rich natural environment with mountains, trees and lush vegetation, the people of Vallée des Prêtres love the open air and treasure their space.
All this make Vallée des Prêtres a very special place!
Mon Choix – La Maison de Vallée des Prêtres is the ONLY TOURIST RESIDENCE in the valley.
To experience the comfort and peace of Mon Choix, discover the real, authentic island and fully enjoy your Mauritius Holiday and Water-Sports at a most competitive rate, contact: dodoisland@intnet.mu
Mon Choix is Mauritius Island's (Ile Maurice) first internationally graded ecolodge at Vallée des Prêtres near Port Louis business, shopping & leisure centre and the sea. COPYRIGHT: A.R.Jean-Michel de Senneville. Underwater pictures are by courtesy and Copyright to: Mr Eugène Vitry.