To understand why this tower stands here, you have to go back to the beginning of the 19th century.^e century. Mauritius, taken by the British from the French in 1810, was going through a tense political period: London had just decided to abolish slavery, a measure that local planters — often of French origin — saw as a direct threat to their sugar economy. The British authorities fear a revolt, or even an uprising supported by the neighboring island of Reunion, which remains French.

To ward off any attack from the sea, the British decided to fortify the west coast, where the absence of coral reef allowed boats to pass. Five Martello towers were built in the 1830s, at strategic points near river mouths: two in Port-Louis (now disappeared), one in Pointe-aux-Sables, and two in Rivière Noire — that of La Preneuse and that of L'Harmonie, which faced each other to cover the entire bay by crossfire. Three are still standing today, but only that of La Preneuse has been completely restored.

Tasty detail: these towers owe their name to a deformation. In 1794, in Corsica, the British were impressed by the resistance of a Genoese fortress at Cape Mortella. They took note of the plans before destroying it… but had trouble remembering the name. “Mortella” became “Martello”, and that is how mauritian history inherits a typology of British forts named after a transcription error. None of the five Mauritian towers ever fired a cannon in real conditions — the feared invasion never took place.

When you approach the tower, what first strikes you is its massive, squat silhouette. About 9 meters high for as much diameter at the base, with walls more than 3 meters thick on the seaward side — capable of absorbing the impact of a cannonball. The stone, carved from the local deep black basalt, contrasts violently with the tropical vegetation surrounding it and the turquoise blue of the lagoon in the background.

The ingenuity of the building is revealed in the details. Originally, there was no door on the ground floor: the tower was accessed by a ladder leading to an opening several meters high, which was then removed to prevent any intrusion. This historic entrance is still visible today on the facade. A door was drilled into the ground during the restoration, to facilitate access for visitors.

Under the tower, an underground reservoir made it possible to recover rainwater collected on the roof, providing water autonomy for several weeks for the garrison of around twenty soldiers. A crucial detail for holding a siege, at a time when cutting off water to a fortress was an attacker's first strategy.

Access to the museum is only by guided tour, which is one of the great assets of the place: the guides know their subject in depth and bring each room to life with anecdotes that cannot be found in any brochure. Allow around an hour to complete the three levels.

The ground floor and the basement

The visit begins with the ground floor, which was used at the time as a powder magazine and warehouse. Today we see objects found during archaeological excavations carried out in the 1990s: copper uniform buttons, ventilation grilles, ironwork from the cannon platform, cannonballs, fragments of weaponry. A staircase allows you to take a look at the basement where the water tank is located, still visible behind a window.

The first floor: the officer's room

The upper floor is the most evocative. One room has been recreated as it might have been at the time: it is the bedroom of the officer commanding the garrison. A wax mannequin in a red uniform with gold epaulettes is seated in front of a desk covered with papers, an oil lamp and an inkwell. On the wall, an old map of the island. On a single bed next to it, a period musket. The illusion is striking: the visitor literally enters a frozen scene from the 19th^e century. Next door, the soldiers' dormitory, more austere, recalls the troop's Spartan living conditions.

The roof and its original cannon

The highlight of the visit is the roof. It is accessed by an internal staircase and comes out into the open air onto a circular platform paved with black basalt. In the center, the original restored 24-pounder cannon rests on its heavy wooden rotating platform allowing 360-degree firing. Next to it, stacked balls and the crank that activated the rotation. And all around, the view: the bay of Rivière Noire stretching before you, the massive silhouette of the Morne Brabant in the background, the turquoise waters of the lagoon dotted with boats. This is exactly the panorama that soldiers were surveying two centuries earlier — except that at the time, they were watching for enemy sails rather than tourist catamarans.

Hours of operation

The museum would usually be open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday mornings only (until approximately 1 p.m.). It would be closed on Mondays as well as certain Mauritian public holidays (notably January 1, 2 and 3, January 1^st february, March 12, 1^st may and December 25). As opening hours may change, it is best to check before travelling by contacting the museum directly by phone (+230 5471 0178) or by email (martellomuseum@gmail.com).

Rates

Entrance is low, generally a few dozen rupees, with a distinction between adults (a little more expensive) and students or seniors (reduced). Rates are also slightly higher on weekdays than on weekends. Mauritian residents benefit from free access on the last Saturday of each month. The guided tour is included in the entrance price.

How to get there

Martello Tower is located on La Preneuse beach in the Rivière Noire district on the west coast. Coming from the north (Tamarin, Flac cop), you must follow the coastal road towards Rivière Noire and turn right at the sign “La Preneuse”: the tower is approximately 1.5 km away. Coming from the south, from Le Morne, you cross Rivière Noire and turn left shortly after a football field, onto the road to La Preneuse. The car remains the simplest way; Free parking is available right next to the tower. For more information on travel options in Mauritius, see our dedicated travel guide transport in Mauritius.

The great asset of the Martello Tower is that it fits naturally into a day exploring the west coast. Right at its feet, La Preneuse beach offers a peaceful setting for swimming, a picnic under the casuarina trees or a memorable sunset overlooking Le Morne. It is an authentic public beach, frequented by both Mauritians and visitors.

About twenty minutes by car, the Morne Brabant peninsula, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, offers spectacular hikes and dream beaches. Further north, Tamarin and its bay renowned fordolphin watching pleasantly extend the day. The region alone concentrates several of the most emblematic sites of the island - the Martello tower constitutes the historic entrance.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, absolutely. Children particularly appreciate the display with the wax mannequins, the cannon on the roof and the “fortified castle” aspect. The guided tour, lasting about an hour, remains accessible and lively. A few steps to climb, but nothing difficult.

Can you visit the tower without a guide?

No, access is only by guided tour, which is included in the entrance price. the Guides generally speak french and english, and the visit gains a lot of interest thanks to their explanations.

Do I need to book in advance?

In general, no: just show up at the entrance during opening hours. Guided tours depart regularly, approximately every half hour. In case of doubt (groups, busy periods), a prior call to the museum is recommended.

How long should you allow for the Visit?

Allow around an hour for the complete guided tour, from the archaeological excavations to the roof. Adding a stroll on the beach right next door, you can easily spend half a day there.

Is the Martello Tower accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Access to the ground floor is possible, but the upper floors (officer's bedroom and roof) are only accessible via narrow internal stairs. The museum is therefore not fully accessible to people in wheelchairs.

What is the difference between the martello Tower and the other towers on the Island?

Five Martello towers were built in Mauritius in the 1830s. Three are still standing today: that of La Preneuse, that of L'Harmonie (on the other side of the bay of Rivière Noire) and that of Pointe-aux-Sables. But only that of La Preneuse has been restored and converted into a museum — it is the only one that can be visited from the inside.

Can we combine the visit with other activities during the Day?

Yes, it's even the ideal formula. The Martello Tower can be visited in an hour, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy La Preneuse beach, have lunch in a restaurant in Rivière Noire or Tamarin, then head towards Le Morne or Tamarin Bay for the afternoon. The compactness of the Mauritian west coast facilitates this type of mixed culture-beach day.