THE SUGAR ADVENTURE

From the outset, it's best to opt for the guided tour, which, at 10.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 2 p.m. on Fridays, under the guidance of fascinating guides, offers a synthetic and lively vision of the history of the Mauritian nation and the incredible "powers" of sugar cane.

Here you are in the biggest and best cultural center on the island: an imposing achievement worthy of the great European museums, bringing together a fascinating wealth of information on the history of Mauritius through that of 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 independent entities: the Fangourin restaurant, the Village Boutik and the factory converted into a museum.

L'Aventure du Sucre is a tribute to a Mauritian heritage that can still be seen in all the island's landscapes, and provides an insight into the sugar-making process, as well as the history of the various Mauritian settlements and their inescapable relationship with the sugar industry. Although the visit takes place in the heart of two huge 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, cooking and mixing machines... Everywhere, the explanations are dense and richly documented. Panels entitled " The Lesson" provide a summary of each section, making for a shorter but richer visit.

But the strength of the museum, beyond its exhaustive nature, lies in its superb scenography, which emphasizes interactivity and vision: QR codes linking to mini-videos, animated models, illuminated desks, 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 focused by playful aids. It's all admirably well-designed, and bound to awaken a desire for learning and discovery.

To enhance the visit, cane-cutting sessions are offered in the company of a former field worker on Wednesdays. You cut a stalk yourself, crush it and taste the fresh cane juice before making a cocktail with rum and sugar.

The tour ends with a tasting of the 12 sugars produced in Mauritius (unrefined brown sugars with a much stronger taste than our recolored brown sugars), which can be found alongside other sweet treats (local jams, honeys, etc.) in the Village Boutik, a space promoting culinary specialties and local craftsmen whose skills the museum supports and encourages - great souvenirs Made in Moris. Also worth a try: the Pavillon du Rhum, with its collection of rums created by New Grove, including some unique ones made from special sugars exclusively for Aventure du Sucre. Take home New Grove Emotion 1969, voted best rum in the world in 2021.

Alongside the permanent exhibition, l'Aventure du Sucre offers one or two temporary exhibitions each year, highlighting the island's artistic, cultural and environmental riches. Expo 2023-2024: Planet'R , dedicated to the 5Rs - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Give back to the Earth - or how to achieve a more positive impact lifestyle.