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A Guide to Mauritius' Most Fascinating Museums
Museums are a great way to discover a country’s soul, and Mauritius has some truly fascinating ones. These museums bring the island’s rich culture - shaped by European, African, and Asian influences - to life.
They showcase key moments in Mauritian history, from colonial times to the modern day, letting you step back in time. You’ll also learn about local life, nature, and unique wildlife.
Here’s a quick look at some of the most interesting museums in Mauritius
1. The Sugar Museum (L'Aventure du Sucre)
Once as valuable as gold, sugar has been a defining part of Mauritius' history. Located in the north, this museum is housed in the historic Beau Plan sugar mill and showcases over 250 years of the island’s sugar story.
Visitors can explore the factory, discovering the journey of sugar - Mauritius’ main export for decades - through immersive displays, vintage machinery, and giant screen presentations.
A typical visit lasts around 1.5 hours and ends with a sweet treat: tastings of different sugars and local rum. It’s a fun, educational experience suitable for all ages - whether as a standalone visit or part of a day tour.
2. Mauritius Postal Museum
Located in one of Port Louis’ oldest buildings (1868), the Mauritius Postal Museum showcases the island’s postal history and its global impact.
Mauritius was the first British colony - and the fifth country worldwide - to issue postage stamps, including the famous Blue and Red Penny stamps from 1847.
Inside, explore vintage postal equipment, historic photos, old mail vehicles, and rare 19th-century stamps. Don’t miss the gift shop, where you can buy stamps, postcards, and unique souvenirs - an excellent stop during a Port Louis tour.
Book this tour and discover a hidden gem in the heart of the capital!
3. Bank of Mauritius Museum
Located on Sir William Newton Street in Port Louis, the Bank of Mauritius Museum opened in 2018 to celebrate the bank’s 50th anniversary and the country’s independence. Set in the central bank’s original building, it offers a unique glimpse into the island’s financial history.
The museum features around 500 artefacts, including rare gold and silver coins, old banknotes, and colonial-era currency. Some pieces date back to the Arab trading period, showing how international trade shaped Mauritius’ economy.
Interactive touchscreens bring the displays to life with detailed images and info, making the visit both fun and educational for all ages.
4. Bois Cheri Tea Museum & Factory
If you love tea or nature, Bois Chéri in the lush south of Mauritius is a must-visit. This peaceful estate explores the island’s tea heritage through a small museum featuring old production machines, a vintage British locomotive, and illustrated displays.
After exploring the museum and factory, relax with a tea-tasting session, sampling Bois Chéri’s range of flavoured, green, and herbal teas - all while enjoying a panoramic view of the scenic south.
5. Blue Penny Museum
At Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, the Blue Penny Museum is a treasure for history and art lovers. Its five rooms showcase Mauritius' colonial past, early Port Louis, and the island’s postal history.
Notable exhibits include the famous orange-red one penny stamp, vintage coins, local artworks, and the romantic tale of Paul and Virginie.
A standard visit takes 45 minutes to an hour, but you can enhance your experience with a Privilege Visit (including a cocktail) or an Expert Visit for deeper insights.
Visit the museum with one of these packages:
6. Photography Museum
Across from the theatre on Rue du Vieux Conseil in Port Louis, the Photography Museum is a hidden gem for photography lovers. This private museum traces the history of Mauritian photography and early cinema.
Discover antique cameras, lenses, daguerreotype photos, and early printing equipment. The collection spans from one of the island’s first photos in 1840 to giant 19th-century cameras.
Don’t miss the historic cinema projector and the press used for the first newspaper printed in the southern hemisphere (1773). A shelf of photography books adds to the charm, making it a must-see for anyone interested in visual storytelling.
Plan your visit now and step into the fascinating world of vintage photography in Mauritius.
7. The Natural History Museum of Port-Louis
Near the East India Company Gardens in Port Louis, the Natural History Museum offers a glimpse into Mauritius' diverse wildlife and extinct species. With over 3,000 specimens, it showcases animals from land, sea, and sky.
Highlights include the famous Dodo, the Giant Mauritian Lizard (once the world’s largest), and the skeleton of the Solitaire, Rodrigues’ extinct national bird. Videos of Dodo bone excavations add a unique touch.
The marine gallery features an impressive seashell collection, including a massive 70 kg clamshell, along with fish species and life-sized shark models.
Add this stop to your itinerary for a fascinating look at Mauritius’ natural past.
8. Mahebourg National History Museum (Historical Naval Museum)
In the southeast of Mauritius, the National History Museum of Mahébourg is housed in Château Gheude, a charming French colonial mansion from 1772. Surrounded by tall pine trees along La Chaux River, this museum showcases Mauritius' rich maritime history.
Explore two floors filled with naval artefacts, shipwreck treasures, and relics from the Battle of Vieux Grand Port. Highlights include items from Pieter Both’s shipwreck and bones of the extinct Giant Tortoise and Dodo.
Once home to the Robillard family, including Commandant Jean de Robillard, the mansion itself is an architectural gem, adding to the museum's appeal.
9. Aapravasi Ghat - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
In the north of Mauritius, near the port at Trou Fanfaron, Aapravasi Ghat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells the story of global immigration. Once known as Coolie Ghat or Immigration Square, it was renamed Aapravasi Ghat in 2001, meaning "immigration depot" in Sanskrit.
As a historic landing point for indentured laborers, the site preserves key features like the symbolic 14 steps immigrants climbed, old accommodation areas, and a former hospital. Archaeological remains and exhibits provide insight into the lives of those who helped shape Mauritian society.
Book your visit to Aapravasi Ghat - UNESCO World Heritage Centre10. Eureka House
Eureka House, built in 1830 by the Moka River, is a grand Creole mansion once home to British and French aristocrats. With 109 doors and windows, it’s one of the largest houses on the island.
Restored and opened as a museum in 1986, it offers a glimpse into colonial life. Inside, you'll find antiques, art, maps, Chinese and Indian housewares, and quirky colonial gadgets like an old-fashioned shower.
Surrounded by landscaped gardens with waterfalls, mango trees, and palms, Eureka House is a peaceful escape that combines history, nature, and architecture.
Tailor Made - Mauritius Museum Tour
You may also create your own Tailor Made Tour and visit any of the museums of your choice!
