Heritage - French Legacy: A Story Engraved in Stone and Collective Memory

The French imprint in Mauritius has been etched in stone since the colonial period. More than just a few ancient buildings or street names, this legacy is an essential part of Mauritian identity, reflected in architecture, culture, and language. Philippe la Hausse de Lalouvière, president of the Society of the History of Mauritius, discusses the visible and invisible traces of this heritage at the Western Cemetery in Port Louis.

In Mauritius, history does not fade away. It is read in street names, in the volcanic stones of old buildings, in the language spoken, and in shared beliefs. The French imprint, although ancient, remains one of the pillars of the Mauritian national narrative. From 1715 to 1810, France made a lasting mark on Mauritian territory. However, its influence has not diminished with the end of colonization; it continues to manifest in both architectural heritage and cultural legacy.

Philippe la Hausse de Lalouvière emphasizes that this heritage, both tangible and subtle, recounts a foundational era as well as the multiple faces of a society in the making. "We cannot talk about material heritage without mentioning all of the intangible heritage," he notes.

A simple walk in Port Louis illustrates this reality. The statue of Mahé de La Bourdonnais proudly stands at the port, reminding us of the man who gave the island a modern capital. This monument, a tangible remnant of an ambitious colonial project, resonates with popular memory: everyone knows his name, his role, and his vision.

But French heritage is not limited to commemorative monuments. As one strolls through the city, they discover Desforges Street, a tribute to Governor Antoine Desforges-Boucher. Other streets bearing different names tell the story of the French presence. Even the French language, still alive, taught, spoken, and written, is an integral part of this cultural heritage.

Among the emblematic sites from the French era, the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Pamplemousses stands out. Its value lies not only in its antiquity – dating back to the 18th century – but also in its symbolic significance. "This church was built by slaves and Muslim sailors from Pondicherry. It is a shared heritage between France, India, and Africa," explains Philippe la Hausse de Lalouvière. This is a concrete demonstration that colonial heritage is much more than a one-way transmission: it is a result of interactions, blending, and diverse social forces.

Other notable buildings include the Government House in Port Louis, whose origins date back to 1738 when Mahé de La Bourdonnais decided to use a building named "La Loge" as an administrative base; Château Mon Plaisir; and the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, organized in the French style and now one of the botanical gems of the Southern Hemisphere.

In Grand Port, the Frederik-Hendrik Museum preserves remnants of these early French installations, built on the ruins of previous Dutch structures. These ruins tell the story of occupation's evolution, military tensions, but also the permanence of the territory as a place of passage and transformation.

Preserving this heritage raises the question of utility: "If something is not useful, it will no longer exist," emphasizes Philippe la Hausse de Lalouvière. The Government House is still standing because it serves a purpose, and the canal Le Pouce is still functional. Other structures fall into disrepair due to lack of use and meaning. This is where young architects, urban planners, and creators should play a role. "They need to be given the tools to reinvent these spaces, to give them new life and new function," he insists.

To Philippe la Hausse de Lalouvière, it is crucial to transmit this heritage. "We must educate, raise awareness, and tell stories. We must instill in young Mauritians a love for their history and knowledge of their heritage, without blind nostalgia, but with critical awareness. Because heritage is not just what we preserve, but also what we understand.”