Curepipe Craft Village

Curepipe Craft Market is one of the most authentic shopping destinations in Mauritius for visitors seeking locally made handicrafts, souvenirs, and cultural goods produced on the island. Located in the heart of Curepipe — the central plateau's main commercial town — the covered market has operated for many years as a focal point for artisans and independent vendors selling directly to the public, without the retail markup common in hotel boutiques and tourist shops.

The range of goods on sale reflects Mauritius's diverse cultural heritage and skilled cottage industries. Hand-crafted model ships built from tropical hardwoods are a Mauritius speciality known internationally, with some pieces requiring weeks of skilled carpentry to complete. Other stalls sell embroidered tablecloths and linens, hand-painted batik fabric, dried vanilla pods, locally blended spices and curry powders, Bois Cheri tea, rum and rhum arrange, jewellery set with semi-precious stones, and hand-painted dodo figurines. Bargaining is accepted at most stalls and prices are considerably lower than in tourist-facing retail environments.

The surrounding town of Curepipe is worth exploring in its own right. The town centre has a distinctly French colonial character, with a botanic garden, historic stone buildings, and the nearby Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater — a short walk to a panoramic viewpoint over the plateau. The streets around the market also have fabric shops where local tailors will produce made-to-measure clothing at short notice and very reasonable cost.

Curepipe Craft Market pairs naturally with a visit to Floreal Square shopping mall, approximately 10 minutes away, which carries international retail brands. Curepipe itself is around 20 minutes south of Port Louis and 30 minutes from the airport via the M1 motorway. The town sits at elevated altitude above the coast and has a noticeably cooler climate, particularly welcome on humid summer days.