Pamplemousses offers two clearly distinct historical perspectives: L’Aventure du Sucre tells the story of sugar cane and its global trade; the church and old cemetery represent a different, more personal historical thread. The interactive museum is housed in a former sugar cane factory in Pamplemousses.
Sugar Cane History at the Museum
The exhibition explores the history of Mauritius and the country’s close ties to sugar cane. It covers the importance of sugar in the past and present, sugar production and harvesting, the individual processing stages, and the global sugar trade. This makes it possible to view the subject from several perspectives: as the history of a product, as a series of specific processing stages, and as part of international trade.
The museum has also hosted temporary exhibitions, including examples on Mauritian photographic art and on food and hunger. If you specifically want to see one of these changing exhibitions, check the current programme in advance. You should also check the current opening hours before planning a museum visit.
Church and Old Cemetery
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi offers a different historical focus. It was built in 1735 in honour of the governor of Isle de France, François Mahé de Labourdonnais, and the wealthy settlers of the time. Its dedication adds a specific historical figure and era to the museum’s economic and trade history perspective.
An old cemetery lies near the church. Several of its graves are classified as historical monuments, including the grave of Buonavita, Napoleon’s chaplain. The church and cemetery therefore also differ in their historical associations: the church is notable for its construction date and dedication, while the cemetery is associated with individual graves and their monument status.
The Le Fangourin restaurant is next to L’Aventure du Sucre. If you plan to stop there for a meal, check its current opening hours in advance.
More Places to Explore in Mauritius
For a broader look at cultural history in Mauritius, consider the cultural landscape of Le Morne on the island’s southwestern tip. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 10 July 2008 and illustrates the history of slavery in Mauritius and the pursuit of freedom during the 17th and 18th centuries. The mountain served as a fortress and refuge for escaped enslaved people during the Maroon resistance; physical and oral evidence documents this use. Le Morne therefore has a different focus from the sugar cane and trade history of Pamplemousses: resistance and the pursuit of freedom are at its heart.
Vieux Grand Port is also among Mauritius’s historical landmarks and is considered the site of the island’s first human settlement. These varied themes give your travel plans a broader historical context without reducing each story to a single place.
If you would like to combine cultural themes with nature, Mauritius is also home to Bras d’Eau National Park. It covers 497.2 hectares and is mostly planted with mahogany, araucarias, Tecoma and eucalyptus. Mare Sarcelle is part of the park and is home to mangroves, native plant species and several migratory bird species. The Coq des Bois Trail runs through the forest and ends at Mares Chevrettes—another nature destination alongside the cultural sites.
For getting around Mauritius as a whole, keep in mind that Port Louis is the island’s only port. Bus services operate in various regions and provide travel to almost all destinations; check current routes and timetables before planning your journeys. The local cuisine offers another island-wide point of interest: dhollpuri and roti are among Mauritians’ favourite dishes, adding a culinary perspective to the cultural and natural themes.
Discover more destinations: Trou Aux Biches, Pamplemousses, Balaclava, Pointe Aux Piments, Tombeau Bay, D'Epinay, Triolet, Long Mountain
For the main travel overview: Mauritius.
