doudou5Situated in Mauritius’ southwestern Black River District, this unique site features soils of seven distinct colors—yellow, ochre, purple, red, orange—resulting from volcanic activity and subsequent oxidation processes. Erosion has sculpted these colorful soils into wavy-patterned mounds that sparkle under sunlight.
A local legend adds mystique to this site: As told by an elder woman from the area: “Long ago, a kind but poor boy followed a rainbow’s path to paradise and played there until he forgot himself. When he wished to return home but also revisit paradise someday, God granted his wish by sprinkling seven-colored powder on earth—creating this one-of-a-kind terrain.”
Discovered by a Frenchman cultivating sugarcane—a dominant crop across Mauritius—the barren patch intrigued geologists who later unveiled its splendor to the world.
Known as “God’s palette fallen on earth,” even heavy rains can’t diminish its charm; once skies clear up again after storms blend its soils together temporarily—they miraculously re-separate into their original vibrant hues within days—defying scientific explanation.
