Dutch colonial past

Mauritius was first a Dutch colony under the Dutch East India Company before it was a French colony before it was finally absorbed into the British Empire.

The Dutch colonial influence can still be found in a museum in Port Louis. This museum is partly housed in an old dutch windmill.

This windmill is across the road from the coast guard and customs landing which is also in one of the old colonial buildings in the restored complex.

The ground floor of the building is made from dressed stone. The stones are quarried from the ancient lava layers that make the volcanic island. The upper floor is made from timber with a wooden shingle roof.