Museums in Mauritius
Arts & Culture
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If youʻre booking your trip to Mauritius last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours and experiences!- Mauritius: Private Tour of the South West with Lunch
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Museums are a great way to learn about a country when you are travelling and there are several spectacular museums on the island that have become major Mauritius attractions. These museums range from cultural experiences to government to everyday life to the history of the people and natural history of Mauritius. Many travellers always want to know what they are going to witness when visiting a museum so here is quick rundown on several of the more important museums in Mauritius.
Museums located in Port Louis
Musée de la Photographie (Photographic Museum)
The Photographic Museum is haven for camera lovers and delivers stunning exhibits which include numerous Daguerrotypes that were the first photographs created by Jacques Daguerre and one of the world’s largest collections of postcards as well as camera equipment that dates from the 1840s to modern day.
Address: Rue du Vieux conseil, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 5970 1440
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday : 10 00 to 15 00 hrs
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Memorial Centre for Culture
Located in Plaine Verte the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Memorial Centre for Culture takes a fascinating look at the first Prime Minister of Mauritius and is situated in his old house. The house museum explains the life of the first prime minister who also practiced medicine within the home. Guests can gaze at period furnishings and an interesting bronze statue of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
Museums located in Port Louis
Musée de la Photographie (Photographic Museum)
The Photographic Museum is haven for camera lovers and delivers stunning exhibits which include numerous Daguerrotypes that were the first photographs created by Jacques Daguerre and one of the world’s largest collections of postcards as well as camera equipment that dates from the 1840s to modern day.
Address: Rue du Vieux conseil, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 5970 1440
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday : 10 00 to 15 00 hrs
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Memorial Centre for Culture
Located in Plaine Verte the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Memorial Centre for Culture takes a fascinating look at the first Prime Minister of Mauritius and is situated in his old house. The house museum explains the life of the first prime minister who also practiced medicine within the home. Guests can gaze at period furnishings and an interesting bronze statue of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
Address: 87, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Street, Plaine Verte
Tel: (230) 242 0053
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday : 09 00 to 16 00 hrs
Wednesday : 11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Saturday: 09 00 to 12 00 hrs
Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
Blue Penny Museum
The Blue Penny Museum is an art and history museum dedicated exclusively to our island, Mauritius; from history of maritime explorations in the Indian Ocean to an overview of the three different colonial periods which the island has experienced, discovery of Port Louis in the 18th and 19th centuries and history of postal services, with the very first postage stamps to be issued in Mauritius. The tour of the museum ends with the beautiful yet tragic story of a mythical couple, Paul and Virginie. It is a fantastic place to view statues, vintage coins and stamps related to Mauritius including the orange-red one penny as well as additional art exhibits from local artists.
Four types of visits are possible at the museum namely:
General Visit - General overview of the historical past and art history of Mauritius
Themed Visit (Recommended for students) - Focus is on one exhibition room only
Guided Visit (Duration 45mins to 1 hour) - Discovery of the different exhibition rooms with a guide
Privilege Visit - Outside normal opening hours including cocktail reception
It also has a shop with great souvenirs to collect or offer as gifts.
Address: Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 210 8176
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10hrs to 17hrs (Note: Exhibition rooms start to close at 16hrs30)
Sunday and Public holidays: Closed
The museum closes exceptionally at 14hrs on 24th and 31st December.
The museum admissions desk and shop close at 16hrs30.
ENTRANCE PAYABLE
RESIDENTS
The entry fee is at Rs 50 across the board, irrespective of age.
For groups of residents (adults/children/students/seniors), the fees for guide services are at Rs 50 as well. This service is available upon reservation.
NON RESIDENTS
Mauritius Postal Museum
The Mauritius Postal Museum is a unique look at the postal department of the island and is housed in an historic 18th century stone building. Here visitors can see exhibits on philatelic memorabilia, blue penny stamps and a variety of historic photographs of delivery vehicles as well as old post offices around the island.
Address: Port Louis Waterfront, Trunk Road, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 213 4812
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09hrs30 to 16hrs30
Saturday & Public Holidays: 10hrs to 16hrs
Sunday: Closed
National History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a splendid exhibit hall which concentrates on the natural side of Mauritius. Once there travellers will be delighted with viewing three galleries that include various bird species of the region, reptiles as well as several monkeys, lemurs and a wild boar head. The second gallery focuses on marine life in the area with an impressive collection of seashells as well as skeletons of sharks and various tropical fish. The last gallery is dedicated to the extinct Dodo bird which inhabited the island for centuries until Dutch occupation of Mauritius.
Important Notice:
The Natural History Museum is closed for visits since 31 January 2017 due to major renovation of the building until further notice; some of the species previously displayed at the Port Louis museum can be seen for the being in the other museums until end of renovation works.
Address: Mauritius Institute Building, Chaussée, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 289 2798
Museums outside of Port Louis
Robert Edward Hart Memorial Museum
Located in Souillac the Robert Edward Hart Memorial Museum is situated in a gorgeous bungalow made of coral from La Nef Reef. Hart was a Mauritian poet born in 1891 and the house museum features his original works from speeches to letters to plays to poetry as well as period furnishings that he used in his daily life.
Address: Autard Street, Souillac
Tel: (230) 625 6101
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 09 00 to 16 00 hrs
Wednesday: 11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Saturday: 09 00 to 12 00 hrs
Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
Frederick Hendrik Museum
The Frederick Hendrik Museum located in Vieux Grand Port is situated on the ruins of the first Dutch fort that was constructed in Mauritius. The site contains a prison, blacksmith shop and a lodge. There is also an historic Catholic Church which dates back to 1737. The museum boasts interesting artefacts on exhibit that have been found during archaeological excavations of the site and explains much about the everyday lives of the Dutch occupants.
Address: Royal Road, Old Grand Port
Tel: (230) 634 4319
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 0900 to 1600 hrs
Wednesday:11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Sunday: 0900 to 12 00 hrs.
Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
Sookdeo Bissoondoyal Memorial Museum
Located in Tyack the Sookdeo Bissoondoyal Memorial Museum celebrates the life of this famous Mauritian. Once inside you can view a replica of the Taj Mahal, a portrait of Sookdeo Bissoondoyal painted by P. Ghose as well as a bronze bust of this famous activist. Other interesting items include drawings of Mahatma Gandhi as well as Vinovabhavey and there is plenty of period furnishings that help explain this man’s daily life.
Address: Royal Road, Tyack, Riviere des Anguilles
Tel: (230) 626 3732
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 09 00 to 16 00 hrs
Wednesday: 11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Saturday: 09 00 to 12 00 hrs
Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
National History Museum
Located in Mahebourg the National History Museum concentrates on the history of the different inhabitants of the island throughout the years. Exhibits range from known documentation from the first people to discover Mauritius which were the Arabs to the colonisation by the Dutch East India Company and the French and British rule. The museum explains the island’s role in sugar cane, slavery, indentured servitude and the immigration of people from China, Africa, France, England as well as India.
Tel: (230) 242 0053
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday : 09 00 to 16 00 hrs
Wednesday : 11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Saturday: 09 00 to 12 00 hrs
Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
Blue Penny Museum
The Blue Penny Museum is an art and history museum dedicated exclusively to our island, Mauritius; from history of maritime explorations in the Indian Ocean to an overview of the three different colonial periods which the island has experienced, discovery of Port Louis in the 18th and 19th centuries and history of postal services, with the very first postage stamps to be issued in Mauritius. The tour of the museum ends with the beautiful yet tragic story of a mythical couple, Paul and Virginie. It is a fantastic place to view statues, vintage coins and stamps related to Mauritius including the orange-red one penny as well as additional art exhibits from local artists.
Four types of visits are possible at the museum namely:
General Visit - General overview of the historical past and art history of Mauritius
Themed Visit (Recommended for students) - Focus is on one exhibition room only
Guided Visit (Duration 45mins to 1 hour) - Discovery of the different exhibition rooms with a guide
Privilege Visit - Outside normal opening hours including cocktail reception
It also has a shop with great souvenirs to collect or offer as gifts.
Address: Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 210 8176
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10hrs to 17hrs (Note: Exhibition rooms start to close at 16hrs30)
Sunday and Public holidays: Closed
The museum closes exceptionally at 14hrs on 24th and 31st December.
The museum admissions desk and shop close at 16hrs30.
ENTRANCE PAYABLE
RESIDENTS
The entry fee is at Rs 50 across the board, irrespective of age.
For groups of residents (adults/children/students/seniors), the fees for guide services are at Rs 50 as well. This service is available upon reservation.
NON RESIDENTS
| Adult | Rs 245 |
| Children/Student | Rs 120 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | Rs 580 |
| Group of adults (over 10) | Rs 200 per person |
| Group of children (over 10) | Rs 90 per person |
Mauritius Postal Museum
The Mauritius Postal Museum is a unique look at the postal department of the island and is housed in an historic 18th century stone building. Here visitors can see exhibits on philatelic memorabilia, blue penny stamps and a variety of historic photographs of delivery vehicles as well as old post offices around the island.
Address: Port Louis Waterfront, Trunk Road, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 213 4812
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09hrs30 to 16hrs30
Saturday & Public Holidays: 10hrs to 16hrs
Sunday: Closed
| ENTRANCE PAYABLE | RESIDENT PRICES | NON RESIDENT PRICES |
| Children from 0 to 10 years old |
Free | Free |
| Children from 11 to 17 years old |
Rs 25 | Rs 90 |
| Adults up to 60 years old |
Rs 50 | Rs 150 |
| Senior citizens |
Free | Rs 90 |
| Family fare – 2 adults & 2 children |
Rs 135 | Rs 440 |
| Group fare – 10 to 14 adults |
Rs 45 per person | Rs 135 per person |
| Group fare – more than 15 adults | Rs 40 per person | Rs 120 per person |
National History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a splendid exhibit hall which concentrates on the natural side of Mauritius. Once there travellers will be delighted with viewing three galleries that include various bird species of the region, reptiles as well as several monkeys, lemurs and a wild boar head. The second gallery focuses on marine life in the area with an impressive collection of seashells as well as skeletons of sharks and various tropical fish. The last gallery is dedicated to the extinct Dodo bird which inhabited the island for centuries until Dutch occupation of Mauritius.
Important Notice:
The Natural History Museum is closed for visits since 31 January 2017 due to major renovation of the building until further notice; some of the species previously displayed at the Port Louis museum can be seen for the being in the other museums until end of renovation works.
Address: Mauritius Institute Building, Chaussée, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 289 2798
Museums outside of Port Louis
Robert Edward Hart Memorial Museum
Located in Souillac the Robert Edward Hart Memorial Museum is situated in a gorgeous bungalow made of coral from La Nef Reef. Hart was a Mauritian poet born in 1891 and the house museum features his original works from speeches to letters to plays to poetry as well as period furnishings that he used in his daily life.
Address: Autard Street, Souillac
Tel: (230) 625 6101
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 09 00 to 16 00 hrs
Wednesday: 11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Saturday: 09 00 to 12 00 hrs
Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
Frederick Hendrik Museum
The Frederick Hendrik Museum located in Vieux Grand Port is situated on the ruins of the first Dutch fort that was constructed in Mauritius. The site contains a prison, blacksmith shop and a lodge. There is also an historic Catholic Church which dates back to 1737. The museum boasts interesting artefacts on exhibit that have been found during archaeological excavations of the site and explains much about the everyday lives of the Dutch occupants.
Address: Royal Road, Old Grand Port
Tel: (230) 634 4319
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 0900 to 1600 hrs
Wednesday:11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Sunday: 0900 to 12 00 hrs.
Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
Sookdeo Bissoondoyal Memorial Museum
Located in Tyack the Sookdeo Bissoondoyal Memorial Museum celebrates the life of this famous Mauritian. Once inside you can view a replica of the Taj Mahal, a portrait of Sookdeo Bissoondoyal painted by P. Ghose as well as a bronze bust of this famous activist. Other interesting items include drawings of Mahatma Gandhi as well as Vinovabhavey and there is plenty of period furnishings that help explain this man’s daily life.
Address: Royal Road, Tyack, Riviere des Anguilles
Tel: (230) 626 3732
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 09 00 to 16 00 hrs
Wednesday: 11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Saturday: 09 00 to 12 00 hrs
Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed
ENTRANCE FREE
National History Museum
Located in Mahebourg the National History Museum concentrates on the history of the different inhabitants of the island throughout the years. Exhibits range from known documentation from the first people to discover Mauritius which were the Arabs to the colonisation by the Dutch East India Company and the French and British rule. The museum explains the island’s role in sugar cane, slavery, indentured servitude and the immigration of people from China, Africa, France, England as well as India.
Address: Royal Road, Mahebourg
Tel: (230) 631 9329
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 09 00 to 16 00 hrs
Wednesday: 11 00 to 16 00 hrs
Sunday and Public Holiday: 09 00 to 12 00 hrs.
ENTRANCE FREE
