Discover Pamplemousses

Cultural history is a practical point of reference when choosing Pamplemousses as a travel destination. The focus is on the interactive L’Aventure du Sucre museum in a former sugar cane factory and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, which dates back to 1735. Together, these sites introduce different themes: from sugar as a product and commodity to the historical dedication of a church and graves with protected monument status.

Sugar Cane History in Pamplemousses

The L’Aventure du Sucre exhibition covers the history of Mauritius and the country’s close ties to sugar cane. It explores the importance of sugar in the past and present, as well as sugar production and harvesting, the various processing stages, and the global sugar trade. Its themes therefore span the journey from harvesting and processing to trade. The interactive museum is located in a former sugar cane factory; the building’s original use provides a fitting setting for the exhibition themes.

L’Aventure du Sucre has also hosted temporary exhibitions. Past examples included exhibitions on Mauritian photography and on food and hunger. The Le Fangourin restaurant is next to the museum. This means that in the same local area of interest, you will find both an introduction to the history of sugar and the island and another named venue.

The Church and Cemetery as Historical Landmarks

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi was built in 1735 in honour of the Governor of Isle de France, François Mahé de Labourdonnais, and the wealthy settlers of the time. An old cemetery is located near the St Francois D’Assises Church. Several graves there are classified as historic monuments. They include the grave of Buonavita, Napoleon’s chaplain, which also holds this status.

The church and cemetery represent different aspects of historical heritage: the church is associated with its year of construction and dedication, while the classification of several graves highlights the protected monument status of individual burial sites. Buonavita’s grave adds a specifically named historical figure to this context. Together with the sugar cane museum, these sites offer several distinct cultural themes in Pamplemousses, without requiring a particular order or a shared walking route.

Mauritius in a Wider Context

If you look beyond Pamplemousses to Mauritius as a whole, the Le Morne Cultural Landscape offers a separate historical context. It is located at the southwestern tip of Mauritius and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 10 July 2008. Le Morne illustrates the history of slavery in Mauritius and the pursuit of freedom in the 17th and 18th centuries. The mountain served as a fortress and refuge for escaped enslaved people; physical and oral evidence attests to this use.

Natural features can also be considered in the context of Mauritius as a wider travel destination. Bras d’Eau National Park covers 497.2 hectares and is planted mainly with mahogany, araucaria, tecoma, and eucalyptus. Mare Sarcelle is part of the park and is home to mangroves, native plant species, and several migratory bird species. On Mauritius, the Coq des Bois Trail also passes through the forest and ends at Mares Chevrettes. These examples complement Pamplemousses’ cultural themes with distinct landscape and nature experiences elsewhere in the wider destination.

Travel Planning Tips

For a country-wide culinary introduction, dhollpuri and roti are among Mauritians’ favourite dishes. As for getting around Mauritius, bus services operate in various regions and make it possible to travel to almost every part of the island. If you plan to travel by bus, check the latest routes and timetables. This will help you distinguish Pamplemousses’ local cultural themes from other points of interest across the island and plan your trip around the topics that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Trou Aux Biches, Pamplemousses, Balaclava, Pointe Aux Piments, Tombeau Bay, D'Epinay, Triolet, Long Mountain

For the main travel overview: Mauritius.