Natural History Museum, Port Louis

The Natural History Museum is the oldest museum on the island and a cornerstone of the region's cultural and scientific heritage. Located on the ground floor of the Mauritius Institute Building, which is itself a National Heritage site, the museum boasts a rich collection that spans the diverse natural history of Mauritius and the Mascarene Islands. The Mauritius Institute Building, constructed between 1880 and 1884, was designed by British architect M. Mann and is a partial replica of the Colombo Museum in Sri Lanka.

Established in 1826 by naturalists Julien Desjardins and Louis Bouton, the museum’s origins date back to the Desjardins Museum of African Modern Art, which was inaugurated on October 14, 1842. The museum initially operated from a wing of the old Royal College in Port Louis and was later relocated to the newly built Mauritius Institute Building in 1885. The collection, primarily consisting of marine fauna and birds from the Mascarene Islands, laid the groundwork for the Natural History Museum we see today.

The Natural History Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of now-extinct species, including a well-preserved dodo skeleton, which is one of its most prized exhibits. This skeleton, discovered in 1904 by barber Etienne Thirioux, underscores the museum’s significance in the scientific and historical study of Mauritius’s unique biodiversity. The museum’s focus on the systematic collection, study, and documentation of local fauna and flora makes it a vital institution for understanding the region’s natural history.

In 2000, the museum was declared a National Museum, affirming its role in the preservation and promotion of Mauritius's natural heritage. Although admission to the museum is free, photography is not permitted inside, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the rich displays of marine creatures, extinct birds, and reptiles without distraction.