Blue Penny Museum | Port Louis

Information

Landmark: Blue Penny Museum
City: Port Louis
Country: Mauritius
Continent: Africa

Blue Penny Museum, Port Louis, Mauritius, Africa

The Blue Penny Museum is a cultural institution and museum of history and art located at the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, Mauritius. It is specifically cited for housing the rare 1847 Post Office stamps and other significant artifacts documenting the island's colonial and maritime history.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a restored stone building that previously served as the headquarters for the New Mauritius Docks Company. It features a dark basalt stone exterior typical of 19th-century colonial maritime infrastructure. The interior is divided into thematic rooms with dim, controlled lighting to preserve delicate philatelic items and ancient maps. Significant interior features include the original marble statue of Paul and Virginie, sculpted by Prosper d’Épinay in 1881.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located at Block A of the Caudan Waterfront, Les Salines, approximately 1 km from the Port Louis city center. Visitors arriving by car can utilize the M1 highway and park at the dedicated paid parking facilities within the Caudan Waterfront complex. Public transport options include the Metro Express, with the Victoria station situated a 5-minute walk from the museum, and the Victoria Bus Terminal, which connects the capital to the rest of the island.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Opened in November 2001, the museum was founded and is currently managed by The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB). The building itself dates back to the mid-19th century, originally constructed for industrial dock operations before its conversion into a multidisciplinary museum. The project was initiated to house the private collection of the MCB and to return the rare Blue and Red Penny stamps to Mauritian soil after their purchase in 1993.

Key Highlights & Activities

The primary attraction is the 1847 "Post Office" stamps; for conservation purposes, the original stamps are illuminated for only 10 minutes at 15 minutes past every hour. Visitors can explore rooms dedicated to maritime exploration, the British and French colonial periods, and the history of Port Louis. Other activities include viewing the collection of antique maps and instruments and visiting the temporary art exhibitions frequently hosted on the ground floor.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The museum is fully air-conditioned and provides public restrooms for ticket holders. There is a specialized museum boutique located at the entrance selling philatelic items and historical replicas. Being situated within the Caudan Waterfront development, the museum is surrounded by numerous food vendors, cafes, and shaded pedestrian walkways. 4G and 5G cellular coverage is excellent throughout the facility.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for a visit is during the winter months from May to September, when temperatures are cooler (18°C–24°C) and humidity is low. For photography of the stone exterior, the morning light provides optimal illumination of the harbor-facing facade. To ensure a view of the original stamps, visitors should time their entry to align with the hourly 10-minute illumination windows.

Facts & Legends

The museum's namesake, the "Blue Penny" stamp, is one of only four unused specimens in existence and was the first British Empire stamp issued outside of Great Britain. A unique museum policy prohibits photography within the specific stamp room to prevent light damage. The statue of Paul and Virginie is carved from a single block of marble and serves as the physical centerpiece for the room dedicated to Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre’s legendary novel.