- Address: Eureka Lane, Montagne Ory Road, Moka
- Phone: +230 433 8477
- Website: www.maisoneureka.com
Speaking about the sights of the island of Mauritius , do not expect luxurious museums and monuments of culture and history, as in Europe. There are no castles or endless art galleries. The island is rich, in the first place, by nature reserves ( Domain-le-Pai ), national and private parks ( Pamplemus botanical garden ) and other beautiful, unusual and attractive places, which makes me want to get to know the island and learn its history. And then, with the life of the population of the island of Mauritius and their past, you will be introduced to such small museums as the Eureka museum.
History of "Eureka"
The city of Moka, as well as the river and the mountains around, took its name from the same sort of coffee, which the first settlers tried to grow here. But because of the hurricane winds that constantly destroyed coffee plantations, this venture was left in favor of sugar cane breeding. Thus, in the 18th century, a factory structure arose that belonged to the Le Clesio family, which was very promising and was called "Eureka".
Sugar brought huge incomes and the whole family moved to a chic mansion in 1856, which was built in 1830. In this house, in the atmosphere of a beautiful park and architecture more like a colonial palace, seven generations of the Le Clesio family were born and grew up. A well-to-do family had an excellent taste and gave children a quality education. The most famous contemporary of this clan is the writer Jean-Marie Le Clézio, the Nobel Laureate of 2008, who described in the novel the life of his ancestors and his childhood in "Eureka".
In 1984, the mansion with the beauty of the park became the property of Jacques de Marusema, who became the creator of the museum and the owner of the Creole restaurant.
| | |
What is interesting to see?
The Eureka Museum is quite an interesting place for those who like to dive and study the culture, history and identity of other peoples. The Creole House will tell you about the era of the island's colonialists and their life in the 19th century. The museum has preserved the whole domestic life and personal belongings.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of rooms and 109 doors in the building: in order to maintain a draft and coolness in the house, a neat veranda is built around the perimeter. The whole interior of the house is decorated with wood carvings.
A beautiful garden is still around the museum, along which you can walk, along the river there is an old path. Through the garden there flows a river, passing into a small waterfall, you can swim in it. And in the museum for visitors there is a restaurant of national Creole cuisine. Nearby there is a shop where they sell spices, stamps and tea.
How to visit the museum "Eureka"?
Near the capital of the island of Mauritius, Port Louis is just a few kilometers to the south located a small town of Moca, founded by the French. It was there that the colonial house-museum "Eureka" was preserved. From Port Louis to the building of the museum it is more convenient and easier to get there by taxi, although you can wait for bus number 135. Museum for visitors is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, on Sunday reduced day until 15:00. The cost of an adult ticket is about € 10, children from 3 to 12 years old - about € 6.
| | |
| | |
