Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
snaking rows of vendors, but it's well worth visiting if you found the market in Port Louis
far too touristy. The market is open every day but it doubles in size on Mondays.
National History Museum
MUSEUM
( 631 9329; Royal Rd; 9am-4pm Wed-Sat & Mon, 9am-noon Sun)
The colonial mansion
housing this museum used to belong to the Robillard family and played an important part
in the island's history. It was here in 1810 that the injured commanders of the French and
English fleets were taken for treatment after the Battle of Vieux Grand Port (the only nav-
al battle in which the French got the upper hand over their British foes). The story of the
victory is retold in the museum, along with salvaged items - cannons, grapeshot and the
all-important wine bottles - from the British frigate
Magicienne
, which sank in the battle.
The museum contains some fascinating artefacts, including early maps of the island and
paintings of Mauritius' original fauna including, of course, the dodo; there are also a few
bones of the dodo in a glass case, along with those of other disappeared species such as
the red rail and Rodrigues solitaire. One real curio is an engraving of Dutch gentlemen
riding in pairs on the back of a giant tortoise (a copy of this engraving is on sale in the
Blue Penny Museum (
Click here
)
in Port Louis), a species that also went the way of the
dodo.
The bell and a cache of Spanish coins from the wreck of the
St Géran
are also on dis-
play. The ship's demise in 1744, off the northeast coast of Mauritius, inspired the famous
love story
Paul et Virginie
(
Click here
)
by Bernardin de St-Pierre.
New additions to the museum include a retrofitted train carriage out back and a replica
of Napoleon's boat used in the infamous battle defeating the English.
Notre Dame des Anges
The butter-coloured tower of Notre Dame des Anges church dominates the Mahébourg
skyline. The original church was built in 1849, but it has been restored several times over
the years, most recently in 1938. Take a quick peek inside at the baronial roof timbers.
Local people visit throughout the day to make offerings to Père Laval, whose statue stands
to your right immediately inside the door. It's worth a visit just for the priceless 'beware
of children' sign outside.
CHURCH
Rault Biscuit Factory
MUSEUM
