DOMAINE DE SAINT AUBIN

A few kilometers north of Souillac, stands this beautiful traditional ^19th-century residence, a fine example of the architectural aesthetics of the colonial era. The original home of the owners of the sugar plantation, it was built in 1819 near the factory, using wood salvaged from old boats. The staircase leading to the first floor was built around a ship's mast, and the attic is framed by an old hull. In 1970, due to the noise pollution generated by an increasingly imposing sugar factory (successive extensions), the owners decided to dismantle the house and have it rebuilt a few hundred meters away, on the site it occupies today. Inhabited successively by the plantation's various administrators, the house then became part of the national heritage and, in the 1990s, was extensively renovated and transformed into a table d'hôtes.

Today, in its salons and under its varangue, it welcomes lovers of traditional, authentic Creole cuisine, using mainly produce from the estate. The park, meanwhile, is home to several curiosities to be visited before or after lunch: anthurium greenhouses, a mini-farm for children, a botanical trail and a Maison de la Vanille showing the production process of the famous pod.

On the same property, Rhumerie de Saint-Aubin was a pioneer in the production of agricultural rum in Mauritius. In its quest for sustainable quality, it has succeeded in reconciling tradition, the human dimension and environmental protection to produce authentic agricultural rums that have won numerous international awards. La Maison du Rhum offers tastings of white rum, vanilla rum and spiced rum. Depending on the time of day, you can also watch the crushing of the cane, with explanations of how the stills and fermentation vats work, all of which are summarized in a short film.

Another activity, more exclusive this time and only available to couples or very small groups, is the Atelier du Rhum , which offers a more immersive immersion in the world of rum. Guided by an expert, you'll learn about the different stages of production, taste the fangourin, sample several ranges of rums, and make your own bottle of rhum arrangé made with the estate's fruit to take home.