THE SUGAR ADVENTURE

From the outset, we opt for the guided tour which, at 10.30am and 2pm Monday to Thursday and 2pm on Fridays, under the guidance of fascinating guides, offers an even more vivid vision of the history of the Mauritian nation and the incredible "powers" of sugar cane.

Here you are in the island's biggest and best cultural center: an imposing achievement, worthy of the great European museums, bringing together fascinating information on the history of Mauritius through its sugar production, inseparable from the island's development since successive colonizations. Housed in the former Beau Plan sugar factory, the site covers 6,000^m2 and comprises three autonomous entities: the factory transformed into a discovery trail, the Village Boutik and the Le Fangourin restaurant (open continuously from 9 a.m. and also offering space for a coffee or a drink).

A tribute to a Mauritian heritage that can be seen in all the island's landscapes, l'Aventure du Sucre is an ideal place to visit at the start of your stay, as it provides an insight into the production process for sugar and its co-products (energy, rums, biofertilizers), as well as immersing you in the history of the various Mauritian settlements and gaining a better understanding of the local people and their unfailing relationship with sugar cane. Although the visit takes place in the heart of two immense halls, it is divided into a multitude of spaces arranged around particular focal points. You'll pass by an old factory chimney, giant grinding mills, huge cooking appliances... Everywhere, the explanations are dense and richly documented.

The strength of the site also lies in its superb interactive and visual scenography: animated models, multimedia screens, a 25 m-long comic strip... Everything is designed to arouse the visitor's curiosity, including that of the youngest visitors, whose attention is also focused by a treasure hunt booklet. It's all beautifully designed to encourage learning and discovery.

To enhance the visit, cane-cutting sessions are offered in the company of a former field worker on Wednesdays. You can cut a stalk yourself, grind it and taste fresh cane juice before taking part in a mixology workshop with homemade cocktails.

The visit ends at the Village Boutik with a tasting workshop of 11 Mauritian sugars (unrefined brown sugars with a much stronger taste than our recolored brown sugars). You'll also be able to taste homemade jams, honeys and sweets. Don't miss the second tasting workshop, featuring some fifteen 5-star rums from New Grove, a perfect immersion in the world of rum. Some rums, infused with special sugars, are exclusive to l'Aventure du Sucre. Take home New Grove Emotion 1969, voted best rum in the world in 2021. The Village Boutik has been awarded the Made in Moris label, a guarantee of the authenticity of its products, and promotes Mauritian artisans by offering beautiful local souvenirs.

Alongside the permanent exhibition, l'Aventure du Sucre offers a series of temporary exhibitions each year, highlighting the island's artistic, cultural and environmental riches. Exhibition 2024: Planet'R dedicated to the 5Rs - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Give back to the Earth - or how to achieve a positive impact lifestyle.