Eureka La Maison Créole, the living history of Moka

Delving into history

This house was built around 1836 with a typical Creole architecture and passes down the history of the region. It was initially owned by Sir Henri Le Clézio, then by his descendants who made their fortune from the sugar industry before experiencing various tribulations. Eureka has witnessed romance, several births, disputes, successions, cyclones and the threat of being pulled down to give way to other constructions, among others. 

However, this Creole house is above all an emblem of reconstruction, and those who have been working tirelessly to preserve this part of the heritage of Mauritius and Moka couldn’t help falling in love with it! Jacques de Maroussem gave it a new breath of life in 1986 and his sons, Guillaume and Antoine – descendants of the same Leclézios who lived there for centuries – have now taken over.

Much more than a museum, a place to live

“The history of this house inspires us to work with passion to preserve it. The work is still in progress, but it provides even more evidence of the experiences and history of the place,” says Antoine de Maroussem. The domaine now includes the main house, its outbuildings, a pavilion, a beautiful garden and waterfalls. It initially spanned several acres, and served as a home for the owners and their extended family for years. 

The few hundreds of square metres of the Creole house now cover different periods and the life of the first generations of people of Moka. Much more than a collection of objects from here and there, it contains the everyday objects of historical figures such as Sir Henri Le Clézio, dating back to the 19th century! 

 These objects from different parts of the world are reminiscent of the melting pot that is Mauritius. In the living room, the furniture from the East India Company and the concert piano recalls the French origins of the family. In the dining room, the French porcelain painted in China winks at the cultures that intertwine to create unique works of art. As a transition before entering the Chinese living room that denotes the eternal fascination for the East and travel. 

Surprising anecdotes

Notable encounters have also taken place at Eureka, where four generations of Leclézios have hosted four generations of British royalty. The funniest and most exciting anecdote is when His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, then Duke of York, visited the Creole house. As a gift, a blue leather album was handed over to him with the text, “To the Duck and Duchess of York” written in gold letters. The mistake was promptly detected and rectified, and the royal couple knew nothing about it, but the album in question still bears the subtle mark of a displaced “k” and an added “e”. 

A sprawling estate

The Creole house tells and shares centuries of history, but one must not forget that it is part of a domaine. The garden harbours dozens of exotic and endemic plants, and shows people’s enthusiasm for botany at the time, creating an iconic picture that is summed up in J.M.G. Le Clézio’s dramatic phrase, “Eureka, in its green setting”. It has inspired many watercolours, lithographs and other sketches of the Creole house, set amidst the garden, with Le Pouce Mountain as a backdrop and an often clear blue sky.

Things to do at Eureka

First of all, the visits will introduce you to the 109 doors and windows as well as the objects and paintings of the house, its gardens, and maybe even some of its secrets. You can also sit comfortably on the terrace to enjoy the delicious Mauritian menu of the day, with a breathtaking view of the exotic garden and the ravine in the distance. Finally, the attic of this Creole house also hosts conferences. The splendid surrounding nature can be admired through the windows. 

History has a future

Eureka symbolises resilience and adaptation, and is looking to the future with new projects spearheaded by the directors, Guillaume and Antoine de Maroussem. Its future is redolent with scents of herbal medicines, vanilla and rum.