Don't let its name fool you, Cap Malheureux is a true paradise!

A picturesque little village, Cap Malheureux seems to be frozen in time. This fishermen's landmark has fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, a service station, a marine cemetery, a Hindu temple and a handful of hotels and restaurants. According to legend, its name comes from shipwrecks, in particular the sinking of the Saint Géran, immortalised by Bernardin de St Paul in the novel Paul et Virginie (an equivalent of Romeo and Juliet).

The first time the name appeared on a map was in 1753, on the Abbé de la Caille map. Some speculate that the place got its name because the British arrived to storm the island in 1810.

Today, Cap Malheureux nestles on a steeper, rockier side. The beaches have been replaced by creeks. The roads lead away from the coastline and inland, near the cane fields. In the distance, the silhouettes of several islets emerge. To the east, Grand Gaube rises up with its Creole fishing village and its canoes made of jaquier wood. Last but not least, you'll also come across the small terracotta oil lamps that bear witness to the presence of Hindu worshippers.

For its magnificent red-roofed church, a veritable icon of the village and the entire northern coastline. The chapel bears the name of Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was founded in August 1938 on the initiative of Abbé Albert Glorieux. The construction of the chapel was inspired by a church in Péruwelz, Belgium, dedicated to Notre-Dame de Bon Secours.

The church stands out for its half-timbered architecture, its beautiful bright red roof and its bell tower facing the blue sea. The structure sits elegantly in the middle of a green lawn and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Sunday morning mass attracts huge crowds, but whatever the time of your visit, don't hesitate to enter the church (free access). You'll discover a very simple, sober and minimalist interior, with white walls, exposed beams and a carved stone altar.

Peaceful, you immediately feel happier than unhappy in this place. Looking out to sea, several northern islands stand out: Coin de Mire, Gabriel Islet, Plate Island and Snake Island.

Île Coin de Mire and Île Plate are the two most popular islands for excursions, and for good reason: they are the closest to the coast. Boats do not dock at Coin de Mire, but at its foot is a nature reserve with steep cliffs. Its seabed is well worth a visit for diving enthusiasts. With just a mask and snorkel, you can discover many wonders such as fluorescent purple corals, rays and marlin.

Ile Plate and its neighbour, Islet Gabriel, have even more to offer. A good half-day is more than enough to enjoy these heavenly spots. You can observe the underwater flora and fauna. You can swim in a secluded spot with few tourists. It's a real treat because the waters are clear and shallow. You can walk up to the lighthouse, where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama. The little extra: you can observe the paille-en-queue bird, a white seabird endemic to the Mascarenes. It is also the symbol of the airline Air Mauritius.

⭐ Le Coin de Mire attitude in Cap Malheureux:

This three-star hotel on a human scale welcomes holidaymakers in a hippie chic, contemporary and uncluttered setting, in very contemporary white and cream shades. All the facilities are grouped close together, except for the spa, which is a little further away. A refurbishment took place in 2017, allowing us to offer more modern rooms. The only problem: the road right next door.