Excursion Sugar museum & chateau labourdonnais tour at Port Louis

Beau Plan Sugar Factory

The former Beau Plan sugar Factory, now known as L'Aventure du Sucre, houses one of the best museums in Mauritius. It not only tells the story of sugar in great detail but also covers the history of Mauritius, slavery, the rum trade and much, much more. In 1998, after 177 years of raw sugar production the Beau Plan Sugar estate (L'Aventure du Sucre) ceased its operations and the factory building was converted into a museum. It tells the fascinating story of the sugar industry in Mauritius.

The different stages of sugar production are exhibited and explained, from the early cultivation of the canes and the role of slavery in growing this vital crop, to the creation of the finished products and the eventual exportation to Western markets. Much of the original machines, pipes, vats, vessels are on display including two locomotives and a large wooden barge which was used to transport sugar from Mauritius to Madagascar (its last voyage being in the year 2000). It's hard to overstate the role that sugar played in the history, identity, development and economy of Mauritius since the first sugar canes were introduced from Java by Dutch settlers in the 1600's. French colonists arrived shortly after the Dutch abandoned the island in 1710, and by the time of the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800's, there were around 60,000 slaves working in the islands sugar industry.

Live Cane Cutting

Experience live cane cutting in the Domaine de Beau Plan where a local field worker will explain of the particularities of the plant in the fields. Did you know? A cane plant can yield up to 20 litres of juice from which may be extracted 2 kg of sugar. After the tour, visit of the museum then enjoy the sugarcane crushing and make your own tropical cocktail!

Chateau of Labourdonnais

An approx 20-minute drive takes you to Chateau of Labourdonnais. It was built in 1856 with the inspiration of neo-classical architecture and inhabited by the Wiehe family for over 150 years. Christian Wiehe was an influential figure of the nineteenth century Mauritius.  The Chateau of Labourdonnais is one of the rare colonial houses, which has been saved in Mauritius. The residence stretches out on two levels. The house was mainly built from teak wood and has a double colonnaded gallery. We invite you to come discover the art of living of the nineteenth century. Enjoy the rum and fruit paste produced by the Domaine before driving back to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: L'Aventure du Sucre Sugar Museum, Chateau Labourdonnais Colonial Mansion, Sugar Cane Harvesting

Note

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking of approximately 0.6 km or 0.3 miles with about 20 steps to negotiate at the sites and a few to get on/off the coach. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility but not those who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing suitable for warm and humid conditions. Flat, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended for this tour. Please bring sun protection (high-SPF sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), bottled water to stay hydrated, and local currency or credit cards for any purchases. A light rain jacket or compact umbrella may be useful for occasional tropical showers.