Mauritius is much more than heavenly beaches and turquoise lagoons. Behind its picture-postcard landscapes lies a rich cultural heritage.
At the crossroads of several continents and civilizations, the country is a veritable melting pot of Creole, Indian, African, European and Chinese cultures and traditions...
The unique history and rich heritage of Mauritius can be discovered in its many museums: from the history of sugar cane at the Blue Penny Museum, to the relics of the colonial era, Mauritius invites you on a journey through time and into the soul of the country.
Ready to discover Mauritian history and traditions? Here's a selection of 10 must-see museums in Mauritius, not to be missed during your stay.
The best museums in Port-Louis, at the heart of Mauritian culture
Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, is a cosmopolitan and cultural city par excellence.
The city is home to numerous museums and cultural venues, some of which are internationally renowned. It's a must-see during your stay in Mauritius, in search of Mauritian culture, evidence of its history and its rich biodiversity.
Natural History Museum of Port-Louis
The Natural History Museum of Port-Louis is a must-see museum in Mauritius, a veritable mine of information for all nature lovers. Opened in 1842, it is the oldest museum in the country.
Here, history and science meet to offer us a fascinating insight into the richness of Mauritius's biodiversity, but also its fragility.
The museum houses a rich collection of specimens of Mauritian flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the island. The star attraction is undoubtedly the skeleton of the dodo, the emblematic bird of Mauritius that has unfortunately disappeared due to human activity.
The Port-Louis Museum of Natural History is housed in a magnificent 19th-century colonial building, which also houses the Institute of Mauritius. It is located near the Jardin de la Compagnie, right in the heart of the Mauritian capital.
Address: Mauritius Museum Council, rue de la Chaussée, Port-Louis.
The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 4pm, Wednesday from 11am to 4pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm. Admission is free!
Aapravasi Ghat
Aapravasi Ghat is one of the most important historical sites in Mauritius, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the 19th century, this place steeped in history was the arrival point for hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, mainly from India but also from other parts of Asia. These workers, also known as “coolies”, were recruited to work on the sugar cane plantations in Mauritius after the abolition of slavery.
The Aapravasi Ghat Museum in Port-Louis is a gateway to Mauritius's past and history. It features period buildings and poignant testimonies to the history of Indian immigration to Mauritius. They allow us to better understand the daily life and difficult living conditions of these men and women, who contributed to the development of modern Mauritius.
Adress : Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site, Quay Street, Port-Louis.
The museum is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, Saturday 9am to 12pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays. Admission is free!
Blue Penny Museum
The Blue Penny Museum is a museum of art and history devoted entirely to Mauritius.
It houses a wealth of ancient objects, paintings, sculptures, maps and documents that bear witness to the different periods in Mauritian history. This impressive collection of works of art highlights the diversity of Mauritian artistic creation.
The museum owes its name to the famous “Blue Penny” and “Red Penny” stamps, issued in 1847 and considered to be the rarest stamps in the world. Because of their fragility, they are only illuminated for 10 minutes an hour!
Another part of the museum is dedicated to the legend of Paul et Virginie, an emblematic novel that helped make Mauritius known the world over.
Adress : Blue Penny Museum, Caudan, Port-Louis.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, closed Sundays and public holidays.
Photography Museum of Port-Louis
The Photography Museum of Port-Louis is a real treasure for photography enthusiasts! It houses an exceptional collection of antique cameras, postcards, and period prints.
This private museum is a true journey through time. It allows visitors to rediscover the history of Mauritius through photography and dive into the daily life of Mauritians of the past.
Adress : Musée de la Photographie, Rue du Vieux Conseil, Port-Louis.
Open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 3 pm, admission charged.
The best museums in Mauritius, across the country
L’Aventure du Sucre, Beau Plan
Discover the history of sugar cane, which is closely linked to that of Mauritius!
Located in a former sugar factory near the Jardin des Pamplemousses, l'Aventure du Sucre takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the history of Mauritius and its sugar cane.
This must-see site reveals the secrets of cane sugar production, the importance of this industry to the country's development and the richness of its heritage. It pays tribute to the thousands of Mauritians who lived the “sugar adventure”, tracing the history of the island right up to its independence.
Don't miss the sugar and rum tasting at the end of the tour!
Adress : L'Aventure du Sucre, Beau Plan, 21001 Pamplemousses.
Open Monday to Saturday (including public holidays), 10am to 4pm, admission charged.
Bois Chéri and the Tea Museum
Tea is an integral part of Mauritian heritage.
Located in Grand Bassin, the Musée du Thé opens the doors to the factory and plantations of the Bois Chéri estate, one of Mauritius's leading tea producers. The surrounding landscapes are breathtaking!
The museum explains the history of tea in Mauritius, and a tour of the factory explains the various stages of production, from plucking to packaging.
Tastings of different varieties of tea are also available, to combine a cultural visit with the pleasure of tasting.
Adress : Domaine de Bois Chéri, Bois Cheri Road, Grand Bassin.
Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, except public holidays.
World of Seashells
Located in Bel Ombre, in the south-west of Mauritius, the “World of Seashells” is a veritable nugget for nature lovers and seabed enthusiasts.
It houses the largest collection of seashells on the African continent, with over 8,000 pieces from all over the world!
This unique museum takes you on a fascinating journey through the oceans, discovering extraordinary marine biodiversity. Its interesting educational approach makes it particularly suitable for children and family visits.
Adress : Word of Seashells, Place du Moulin, Bel Ombre.
Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Mauritius Historical and Naval Museum, Mahébourg
Located in Mahébourg, in a magnificent colonial château dating from 1772, the Musée Historique et Naval invites visitors to (re)discover the maritime history of Mauritius.
It houses a rich collection of artefacts recovered from shipwrecks, testifying to the importance of the sea in the country's development: anchors, cannons, armaments, crockery, navigational instruments, etc.
The Musée Historique et Naval de Maurice is a mine of information on the history of Mauritius and its maritime past, rich in adventure and discovery.
Adress : Mauritius Historical and Naval Museum, Château Gheude, Mahébourg.
Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to noon weekends. Closed on Tuesdays. Admission charge.
Domaine d'Anbalaba, an ideal starting point
Located in the south of Mauritius, close to Morne Brabant and some of the country's finest beaches, Domaine d'Anbalaba is a haven of peace surrounded by lush natural surroundings.
Domaine d'Anbalaba is the ideal starting point to prepare your cultural discovery of Mauritius, and let yourself be surprised by the diversity and richness of its unique heritage.
After a day spent in one of Mauritius's finest museums, enjoy a moment of relaxation by the sea, in the pool, at the spa or on the terrace of Domaine d'Anbalaba's restaurant.
Discover your new home in the authentic south of Mauritius.