When Jacqueline Chung-Mirbel joined the Caudan Waterfront in 1996, the site was still in its infancy. Hired as secretary to the Centre Manager, she witnessed the birth of a project unprecedented in Mauritius at the time: a space combining shopping, culture and leisure, destined to become one of Port-Louis’ most emblematic landmarks. Eugénie Sauzier-de Rosnay
Caudan, however, takes its name from a much older history. In the XVIIIᵉ century, Jean Dominique Michel de Caudan, a saunier from Languedoc who had come to try his luck on the Isle de France, established a saltworks here around 1726 – now the Robert Edward Hart Garden. Over time, the port area was transformed: warehouses, docks and storage areas accompanied the capital’s commercial development. Then, as the Port-Louis waterfront gradually lost its appeal, an idea began to take shape: the creation of a shopping center, the first on the island, to breathe new life into the region.
A bold gamble. As stores flourished and people flocked to the area, this historic site quickly became a highly convivial space. “The vision was to create a lively center where visitors could shop, enjoy restaurants and cafés, attend cultural events and discover local history,” recalls Jacqueline. Present at every stage of its evolution, she too grew up to the rhythm of Caudan. As the years went by, her responsibilities expanded, strengthening her ability to adapt and her sense of teamwork. “This unique experience has consolidated a mentality focused on progress and excellence,” she confides.
Caudan is rapidly establishing itself as a cultural, tourist and commercial meeting point. For her, the success of the site is above all down to the men and women who bring it to life on a daily basis. And what about the future? Jacqueline imagines several scenarios: a center that would place technology at the heart of its development by offering an immersive experience, a sustainable and green space, an even more diversified cultural offering, or even modular spaces. “The Caudan of the future could become a truly modern urban hub, where shopping, culture, innovation and sustainability meet, offering a unique experience for all,” she concludes.
