Bassin Merven, A Mysterious Lake At Solitude

The Bassin Merven, also referred to as “La Digue Solitude,” is one of the most contentious and enigmatic locations in Mauritius due to its abundance of rumors and tales. Located in the longest inland village, Triolet, let’s explore this stunning natural lake together with some historical details and tragedies that have happened there.

Back Into The History Of Solitude

In the 1770s, the regions surrounding Bassin Merven were essentially covered in trees. At that time, the popular sites were Balaclava, Pamplemousses, and Pointe aux Piments, because of their powder mills, fortifications, wheat mills, and other facilities. Thomas Enouf, Nicol, Choreau, and Lamartiniere were some of the first concessionaires. The place’s name of “Solitude” was unknown.

When more sugar mills were built in the areas in the 1820s, agriculture was booming. With the construction of L’Unité, a sugar mill built on the current location of the Solitude roundabout, sugarcane production became a mainstay in the area. Thomas Enouf was the first proprietor. The Merven family purchased the L’Unité Estates toward the end of the 1850s.

Victor Merven, decided to demolish L’Unité in the end of 1850s, to establish a sugar mill named, L’Agrément, just next to Bassin Merven. This is how the lake got its name. A few years later, L’Agrément was sold to Ceylon Company, which then established, Solitude, a new sugar factory.

Near the end of Ruisseau Piram, was Solitude’s first sugar mill. The original proprietor was Pierre Victor Lanougarède. Due to a labor shortage brought on by the malaria outbreak at the time, he subsequently sold the estates to Pieter Wiehe. Then, Le Court de Billot family took over Solitude from end of the 1890s to the 1920s, several years later. The sugar mill was moved to its current location. Solitude was purchased by the Harel Frères in 1925, and it remained in business until 1986. The location continued to be an industrial sector even after Solitude closed. For a clearer detail of the sugar mills’ locations, see the map below:

Bassin Piram Or Bassin Merven?

On older maps of Mauritius, particularly from the 18th and 19th century, Bassin Merven was named as Piram. The natural lake’s water source was originally known as Piram, then flows to Citron River. The river from the lake to Citron River is known as Ruisseau Piram. When Solitude sugar mill was established, they enlarged the ruisseau which is located behind the industrial zone. The inhabitants know it as Bassin Piram. The name Bassin Merven was simply derived because the Merven family owned the property during that time. However, the original name of the lake is Piram itself. It is only in the 19th century, the locals differentiate the lake into two parts, Bassin Merven (Or Solitude), and Bassin Piram. An old map dated 1780 illustrates it, as follows:

As shown above, “Source du Ruisseau Piram”, was the original name of Bassin Merven. But, as the Merven family owned the property, the name changed to Bassin Merven. Because a few sugar mills were existed in the regions, laborers from both African and Indian origins used to stay in camps nearby. There was a camp near Bassin Merven itself. The water from the lake was primarily used for irrigations. In the past, the inhabitants used to lift water from wells. One of the wells still exists today, next to the Kalimaye at Triolet Bypass.

When Mysteries Meet Superstitions

Numerous mysteries have been attributed to the Bassin Merven for a number of years. People have created superstitions and folklore as a result of the disasters that occurred there.

Some of the tragedies that have happened at the lake are:

• In the 1950s, a bus had an accident, and ended in the lake. There were a few victims.
• In the 1980s, a couple died in the lake after a car accident. It is believed the car is still in the lake.
• In 2003, a woman from Port-Louis committed suicide in the lake. Her body was floating at the shore.
• In 2026, a black 4×4 ended in the lake. Fortunately, the driver successfully came out from the vehicle, swam to the shore. His vehicle was extracted the day after by the Coast Guard and Special Mobile Force.

Many suicide instances and accidents had been reported there. The lake itself was the topic of many stories and folklore because of those tragic events. For examples, people saw mermaid at night on the rock crying. A white woman carrying a lamp has even been spotted by some. It is true that large eels live in the lake, which is famous for fishing. However, there has been a myth about an enormous eel that once visited the shore and attacked people. There are other rumors that gold coins and firearms were found in the lake.

The Final Words…

In the early 2000s, the government decided to enlarge the main road, and secure the bridge with stronger barriers. The excess water was poured to the other side, to flow to the Ruisseau Piram. The main road is dangerous to drive at night, because of poor visibility due to no streetlights. This is why accidents occur, and the site remains a prone area for accidents. The Solitude Bridge is the longest in the North of Mauritius. Mysterious or not, Solitude will always be a significant place to Mauritians.