South East Excursion

he Frederik Hendrik Museum is located on the south-eastern coast of Mauritius. It is located in the historic site of the Vieux Grand Port, the cradle of Mauritian history. It is the site of the first human settlement in Mauritius. Mauritius was discovered by the Dutch in 1598. They settled here, however, only in 1638, when Fort Frederik Hendrik was built. The Dutch left the island for good in 1710. The French claimed Mauritius in 1715 and, in 1722, established their government on the same site. Later on, the French moved their administration to Port Louis. However, the site was developed into a military post to ensure the security of the bay and the island. Following the transfer of the military post to the newly created town of Mahebourg in 1806, the site was abandoned. After the transfer of the military post to the newly created town of Mahebourg in 1806, the site was abandoned.

In 1998, the Old Grand Port Historic Site was rehabilitated and landscaped to mark the 400th anniversary of the first Dutch landing in Mauritius. It was inaugurated by H.R.H. Prince Maurits Van Oranje-Nassau, the descendant of Maurits Van Nassau, Stathoulder of the Netherlands, to whom Mauritius was named in 1598.

The Frederik Hendrik Museum was opened by Hon. Joseph Tsang Mang Kin, Minister of Arts and Culture on 27 May 1999.    Initially, it hosted a temporary exhibition on Dutch activities in the Indian Ocean, donated by the Dutch Government on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the first Dutch landing in Mauritius. 

Since 1997, the museum has received many objects in its collection as a result of ongoing archeological excavation work on the site by a group of Dutch researchers. Over the years, new exhibits, retracing the history of the site, have been added to the museum. The Frederik Hendrik Museum serves as an interpretive center for the historic site of the Old Grand Port.

The old home of the Robillards lies at the end of a straight avenue flanked by rather gloomy serried ranks of pines. The National History Museum (Naval Museum) is in a beautiful colonial mansion South East of Mauritius. It was built towards the end of the eighteenth century and was part of the Rivière-la-Chaux estate. The last building owner prior to its conveyance in favor of the Mauritius Government was Nemours Gheude, whence the name “Gheude Castle” with which it’s also known. The huge garden where the Museum lies is a very nice one, and it’s therefore very pleasant to saunter about on that garden owing to both the trees and plants belonging to different species and the quaint village houses standing there.

The Museum consists of three floors but only two of them are accessible to the public. There are several sections where one can learn about the different colonization periods of Mauritius. Therefore, the visitors interested in History can be taken into a historical journey of the island dating back to the 18th century. In such a sense, the Naval Museum houses reminiscences of the French colonial empire. Likewise, the remnants of the great Naval Battle of Vieux Grand Port, as well as artifacts of many other shipwrecks such as the Pieter Both (the first Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies), can be seen there.

Inside the Museum, apart from the items already referred to, one can see different types of objects, all of them of an undeniable interest: from the weapons used by the corsair Robert Surcouf to a near-complete skeleton of a dodo. Likewise, an exciting collection of items salvaged from naval battles as well as fascinating early maps, coins, and furniture, among other things, can be beheld in that Museum. An attractive bell exhibited there was recovered from the wreckage of the boat Saint Géran which sank off the East coast of Mauritius in the middle of the 18th century. Another bell also exhibited was formerly in use at the Headquarters of the East Indies Naval Station. As far as furniture is concerned, there is a model of a bed used under the Compagnie des Indes, and on the first floor, there is a poster bed which belonged to Mahé de Labourdonnais, the first French governor of Mauritius.

In addition to the foregoing one can behold a picture depicting a dodo, which resembles more a caricature, by Johannes Savery (1589 – 1654) (Oxford University Museum), and an oil painting depicting the Beau Rivage sugar factory by Numa Desjardins; some miniatures of ships such as the Saint Géran, a piano of the Royal Navy, the Bell Marengo, the chair of Charlie Telfair (1778 – 1833); some items evoking the famous novel “Paul and Virginie”, by Jacques Bernardin Henri de St. Pierre, such as statuettes made by Prosper d’Épinnay and a copy of one of the first editions of that literary work, as well as many other items of the utmost relevance for everyone interested in the history of Mauritius.

The National History Museum in Mahebourg is consequently a gorgeous place whose visit shouldn’t be missed while in Mauritius on account of its very interesting features lying not only on the collection of items displayed inside the building but also taking the history of the building itself into account. Therefore, the exterior of that magnificent edifice is something worth being contemplated attentively.

The Mahebourg market is a special market that is best to visit on Mondays. On this day, the entire area surrounding the Mahebourg Waterfront is transformed into a huge open-air flea market where you can find many great bargains, local handicrafts, and fantastic Mauritian souvenirs. The Mahebourg market has a wide range of offerings, from traditional Indian and Chinese goods to vegetables, fruit, local spices, electronics, and much more. The Mahebourg market also has a traditional section where you’re sure to find Biryani, Dholl Puri, Chinese Noodles, and many homemade Mauritian and Creole dishes.

The Rault Biscuit Factory in Ville Noire (Mahebourg), also known as the Cassava / Manioc Biscuit Factory, is a place that immerses you in the history of Mauritius and the daily life of Mauritius in the last century.

The handmade but very applied manufacture of all these cookies will awake your five senses thanks to a mixture of the traditional ways of doing and smells of baked cakes and biscuits reproduced with the same passion since the origin of this biscuit factory.