MUSEE FREDERIK HENDRICK

In the south-east of the island, which witnessed the main historical events of the island, this small museum, which symbolically bears the name of the Dutch Prince Frederik Hendrick (Stadhouder of the Netherlands from 1625 to 1647), has been set up on the level of the oldest colonial remains of Mauritius. It is precisely there that the very first explorers and inhabitants of the island, of Dutch origin, established their headquarters, from 1638 to 1710. If the remains of the fortress they built are hidden by those of old colonial buildings from the French period, one can discover the objects found on the site during archaeological excavations: coins, tools, kitchen utensils, remains of pottery and ceramics, pieces of Chinese porcelain, cannonballs etc. Several ruins dot the area (prison, forge, bakery...), including those of a superb building from the French period, 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 and settle there.

Although the museum may seem quite humble in comparison to other cultural institutes with a more elaborate scenography, it nonetheless retraces an important part of Mauritian history, which has developed over the course of passages and intermingling. The site is also very green, very well maintained and offers a nice view of the bay of Vieux Grand Port and the coastline of this part of the island.