The Mauritius Museum Tour (South)

The Vieux Grand Port Historic Site is a National Heritage. The structures visible above the ground are all of French origin, built on the very ruins of the Dutch Fort Frederik Hendrik after 1753. They consist of a lodge, a prison, a bakery, a bancassal and a blacksmith's workshop. On the walls of the lodge there are graffiti depicting 18th /19th century ships. In the year 2000, the remains of the Dutch Fort Frederik Hendrik were excavated. They lie some 50cm deep into the ground. The historic site extends beyond the Notre Dame de Grand Pouvoir Church which is located adjacent to the main ruins. It also contains the ruins of the first Catholic Church, established by Mahé de Labourdonnais in 1737 and a powder house built during the French period (1722- 1810).

The National History Museum is situated at Mahebourg, in a fine park extending to about 12 acres, on the bank of River La Chaux. It is housed in Chateau Gheude (also known as Maison Robillard), an old French colonial country house built around 1772 and presently listed as a national heritage. It was in a wing of this historic building that the two Commanders of the English and French squadrons, wounded in the Battle of Grand Port in 1810, were given medical treatment side by side. The National History Museum finds its origin in the Naval Relics Museum and the Museum of Historical Souvenirs.

La Vanille Nature Park homes one of the largest collections of insects with more than 26 000 species and about 30 000 specimens from 5 continents. The collection required thirty years of patience and passion by Mr. Jacques Siedlecki to accumulate this unique collection.

The Robert Edward Hart Memorial Museum is located in the newly renovated coral bungalow by the seashore at Souillac. It is at this place that the Mauritian poet spent the last years of his life.

Robert Edward Hart was born in Port Louis on 17 August 1891. He was the Curator/Librarian of the Mauritius Institute in Port Louis. Robert Edward Hart moved to Souillac when he retired in 1941. When his first house was destroyed in a cyclone, his friends contributed to erect a bungalow in coral stones (also known as La Nef). After the death of Robert Edward Hart in 1954, the premises were purchased by the Government in 1963, to set up a museum to perpetuate the memory of the great poet. The building was repaired and the museum was opened to the public on 6 November 1967. The museum was renovated completely and reopened on 17 August 2003 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Robert Edward Hart.