Musée de Mayotte

The Musée de Mayotte is a cultural institution housed in a former military barracks near the Petite Terre lagoon that collects and exhibits objects from the islands. The displays feature local craftsmanship, marine specimens collected from the surrounding waters, and educational materials about traditional community institutions.

The institution opened in September 2015 during European Heritage Days and received official Museum of France status in December 2018. This recognition marked an important step in formally documenting and protecting the cultural heritage of the islands.

The museum displays local craftsmanship and the role of traditional Koranic schools called shioni in community life. Visitors can observe how these institutions shaped daily practices and what techniques artisans continue to use today.

Visit during daylight hours when natural lighting best highlights the displays and specimens. If you want to see special exhibitions or cultural presentations, check when the monthly MuMA Saturday events are scheduled.

The institution displays a complete sperm whale skeleton that illustrates how these large marine mammals inhabit the surrounding waters. This remarkable specimen, shown alongside other creatures from the lagoon, offers visitors rare insight into the ocean life around the islands.