Frederik Hendrik Museum bears witness of Mauritian history, particularly the presence of the Dutch and the French period in Mauritius. In the Museum lot of objects found during excavations of the Vieux Grand Port Historic Site area are exhibited.

The Vieux Grand Port Historic Site is located in the south east of Mauritius and encloses the ruins of the oldest stone structures ever built on the island. The Dutch headquarters were on this site from 1638 to 1710. A fortress was built, which they named “Frederik Hendrik”, in honor of their ruler. It is buried roughly one metre below ground level.

In 1722, when the French occupied Grand Port, another lodge was constructed on the same site. It was their main center of activity prior to the beginning of the 19th century when it was transferred to Mahebourg.

The Ruins

“La Loge”, which is the main ruins, was a French Government building which encompassed living quarters for the commander of the port, warehouses, barracks for the battalion and a kitchen. On the right of the museum, the remains of a bakery can be admired and on its left, the ruins of a prison can be seen. In the sea, at low tide, the remains of a stone jetty can be seen. It is to be noted that most of the ruins on this site are the remains of French buildings from the 18th century.