MUSEE FREDERIK HENDRICK

This small museum, symbolically named after Dutch Prince Frederik Hendrick (Stadhouder of the Netherlands from 1625 to 1647), is located in the south-east of Mauritius, which witnessed some of the island's most important historical events. It was here, in fact, that the very first explorers and inhabitants of the island, of Dutch origin, established their headquarters, from 1638 to 1710. Although the remains of the fortress they built are masked by those of former colonial buildings from the French era, you can still discover the artefacts found on the site during archaeological digs: coins, tools, kitchen utensils, remains of pottery and ceramics, pieces of Chinese porcelain, cannonballs and more. Several ruins dot the site (prison, forge, bakery, etc.), including those of a superb French-era building, La Loge, which included warehouses, barracks and a kitchen. This building was abandoned in 1805 when French troops and settlers decided to further develop the Mahébourg area.

Although the museum, which has no real scenography, may seem rather humble in comparison with other local cultural institutes, it nonetheless retraces an important part of Mauritian history, which has been shaped by the passage of people and the intermingling of cultures. The site is also very green and well-maintained, and offers a lovely panorama over the bay of Vieux Grand Port and the coastline of this part of the island.