Naval Museum

Located in the historic coastal town of Mahébourg in southeast Mauritius, the Naval Museum of Mauritius is a fascinating place to discover the island’s rich maritime history and colonial past. Housed in a beautiful French colonial mansion built around 1770, the museum overlooks the peaceful Grand Port Bay, an area that played an important role in naval battles during the colonial era. The museum is best known for its exhibits related to the Battle of Grand Port (1810), one of the most significant naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars and the only naval victory of Napoleon that is engraved on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Visitors can explore historical artifacts including ship models, cannons, navigation instruments, old maps, and relics recovered from shipwrecks found in the lagoon. Inside the museum, several galleries showcase the maritime history of Mauritius, the arrival of European settlers, and the island’s strategic importance in the Indian Ocean during the 18th and 19th centuries. Located near the Mahébourg waterfront and market, the Naval Museum is an excellent stop for travelers exploring the southeast of Mauritius. A visit here offers a unique glimpse into the island’s naval heritage and provides a deeper understanding of the historical events that shaped Mauritius.