L’aventure du sucre (The Sugar Adventure) Mauritius

The sugar adventure recalls the history of sugar in Mauritius. Sugar has been a major money earner for the island for two centuries and is thus considered as a vital part of the Mauritian cultural heritage. With the diversification of the economy, sugar has lost its place as basic pillar of the economy (sugar is mostly produced for self sufficiency now) but to capture its importance on the island throughout all these serving years, the Beau Plan Sugar Estate, which was a former sugar factory, has been turned into a sugar museum.

The museum is set in modern styles over a space of 5,000 m². It takes the visitor back into time as from when the island was first discovered, the early cultivation of sugarcane, the role of the slaves in growing this vital plant on the island, the commercial exchange of sugar throughout the world, the different faces of sugar in history and the different technologies used for its manufacture. The machineries (vats, pipes) used in sugar production all looking gigantic and well kept can be seen inside the museum; there is also a barge (vessel where sugar is manually stacked for transport) that was used to transport sugar from the island to Madagascar. Interestingly, two locomotives that were used to carry sugar from place to place are also exposed: the “Mon Loisir” locomotive is displayed inside the museum while the “Sir William” train welcomes people on the outside of the museum.

In order for the visitor to learn the maximum about the sugar industry in Mauritius, information boards are placed on the walls, photos are displayed and there are also video sessions about the history of sugar on the island. As for the kids, two mascots, a mynah bird and a mongoose (believed to be the first animal colonisers of the island), relate the stories entertainingly. There is also a quiz session in which the locomotive whistles when someone gets the correct answer!

In the gardens of the premises there is a restaurant in a beautiful setting called Le Fangourin. It proposes delightful Creole cuisine ranging from seafood to venison to light meals and salads; the restaurant also proposes meals for weddings and parties as per the clients’ tastes. There is also an auditorium for seminars and business meetings with air conditioning and all types of multimedia tools needed. L’aventure du Sucre regularly holds expositions such as the “feeding mankind” exhibition where materials related to foodstuff from France were exposed. Before leaving the area, there is a definite must to swing by the wonderful boutique where souvenirs like rums, books, marmalade, fruit pastes and packed sugar gifts can be bought!