Everyone has a story - this one is ours
Historic Marine is one of those places steeped in history: that of a crew, a village and a country.
It is also a journey among maritime myths and legends, where each boat on display carries a fascinating story.
(+230) 5259 9337
Since 1982
It all began in September 1982, with the meteoric rise of tourism.
Three friends who were passionate about sailing (Charles Edouard Piat, François de Grivel and Thierry de Nanclas) saw the arrival of tourists as a real opportunity.
Above all, they were sensitive to Mauritian talent and know-how, of which they were proud (the proud know-how as they called it).
They then created Historic Marine, the second model boat workshop to see the light of day and one of the last of this size still existing in Mauritius.
For 25 years, Charles Edouard Piat was its director.
The Crazy 80's
From the first year, growth was dazzling:
the reputation of the factory spread across the island and Historic Marine had 35 employees.
In 1984, our reputation crossed the oceans to extend to Europe.
More than 20 models were in the catalogue and the number of craftsmen rose to 70.
In 1986, Historic Marine structured itself to better meet the needs of the growing European market.
This is how the training workshop-school was born, from which 90% of our employees now come.
In 1987, the company had more than 100 employees, and was able to produce 1,200 ship models each year, with the same attention to detail and finishing.
The 90's - the world on the horizon
From the 1990s, driven by its expertise in the wood trades, Historic Marine diversified its services and created a complete range of “marine furniture”.
The influence is global and orders come from all over the world. Delivery of our products is guaranteed in all countries of the world.
The factory handcrafts wooden model boats for Mauritians and tourists, but also for museums, associations, enthusiasts and foreign collectors.
Many visitors flock to our doors to discover our workshop and our legendary models, including celebrities such as Johnny Halliday, the King of Sweden, the Duke and Duchess of York, Jacques Chirac, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, President François Mitterrand, Amitabh Bachchan, and football personalities, among others.
New millenium - new services
In 2007, Charles Edouard Piat passed the baton to his son Serge Piat, driven by the same passion for boats and wood.
The latter will give a second wind to the factory with the creation of its tailor-made service, known as My Boat Replica, which allows anyone, individual or professional, to order personalized replicas of the boats of their choice. A service that arouses a strong enthusiasm among boat owners but also renowned shipyards
such as Hanse (world No. 1), Tofinou, Fora Marine, Vanquish, among others.
In 2018, our custom service represents the majority of our production.
Historic Marine is today the international reference, acclaimed thanks to the accuracy, quality and unparalleled finish of its replicas.
2024 and onwards - The present and future
They say that ships are safest at the harbour – but thats not what ships were built for.
As the tides changed we’ve had to adapt, adjust our sails to the prevailing wind and plot a new course.
One of these bold moves was moving to our new location in The Vale, Grand Baie.
The move was very emotional for all of us, with most of our staff having been with us from the beginning in 1982.
It had been their home away from home for over 4 decades.
The new location brings a more central location with a more efficient layout,
closer to the heart of tourism in Grand Baie it allows more people to visit while still keeping the charm and history we are so well known for.
Our Archives
We’ve immortalised some of our best memories through photos over the years.
This small video shows a compilation of some of our most precious, treasured moments.
A New Chapter Begins
Historic Marine Limited, which operated the Historic Marine workshop and showroom in Mauritius, closed its doors on 24 April 2026. While this marked the end of an extraordinary chapter, it did not mark the end of the passion, craftsmanship, and dedication that have defined our work for decades.
Determined to preserve this unique heritage and expertise, our team of master craftsmen has come together under a new company. Since 10 June 2026, H.M Ship Models Limited has proudly brought together the very same skilled artisans who have been creating exceptional ship models since 1982.
Today, we continue to design and build handcrafted historical and custom-made ship models for collectors and enthusiasts around the world. We warmly invite you to visit our exhibition at Adamas in Floréal, where more than fifty of our finest models are on display. Online orders also remain available, allowing us to resume serving customers worldwide.
Together, let us preserve this remarkable legacy with precision, passion, and excellence—and set sail toward new horizons.