The Domaine de Labourdonnais is a historic destination in Mauritius. It has multiple activities revolving around its exceptional natural and cultural heritage. It has become a diversified business comprising four core activities: Leisure, Sports & Wellness, Agriculture & Processing and Real Estate.
Domaine de Labourdonnais is famous for its Château, a real jewel of the Mauritian heritage. Built in 1856, the Château de Labourdonnais was inhabited by a Mauritian family for over 150 years. In 2006 Château de Labourdonnais underwent major restoration works to be restored to its former glory. Today, Domaine de Labourdonnais has become one of the most attractive cultural places to visit in Mauritius. The whole estate, especially the Château, reflects the 19th-century art of living in Mauritius.
Château de Labourdonnais
The path leading up to the Château is lined on both sides by Intendance trees (Ficus Retusa). Not only is the Domaine de Labourdonnais more than a simple tourist attraction but it has become a highly coveted place to live and work in the North of Mauritius.
The visit to the Château ends at the tasting bar, where visitors can taste the 100% Mauritian products manufactured at Les Vergers de Labourdonnais and La Distillerie de Labourdonnais. After tasting the in-house rum, the visitors can then bring home in a souvenir bottle. Visitors can also enjoy the experience aboard the Labourdonnais Express, a little train that travels through the estate.
Visitors can also stock up on Domaine de Labourdonnais products, available at La Corbeille, a delicatessen offering a large selection of local, artisanal and organic products.
Domaine de Labourdonnais also offers Château’s gardens or restaurant for weddings, corporate events and other receptions. The Ernest Wiehe conference room is ideal for professional events like conventions, exhibitions, seminars or training courses. Old houses have also been renovated into offices, available for rent to all kinds of businesses.
St Francois Beach is one of the best beaches in Rodrigues, and also the longest. It is located off the east coast of Rodrigues Island.
Stretching over 700 meters of soft white sand and peaceful waters, the beach is empty most of the time and visited only by a handful of people mainly on Sundays.
St Francois beach is also one of the main starting points for hiking to Trou D’Argent. There are a couple of restaurants serving delicious local dishes, a few budget guesthouses, and a 4-star resort close by. The octopus curry is a classic Rodriguan dish.
Traditional Net Fishing
Auberge St Francois is a budget guesthouse located right across St Francois Beach. Some rooms can accommodate up to 6 people and are equipped with a private bathroom, kettle, and mini-fridge. Cheaper rooms have a fan while others have air-conditioning and a private balcony. There are only two restaurants nearby but you can order breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the guesthouse.
This is an enchanting botanical garden, located in the center of Rodrigues island. The garden is filled with Rodriguan flora with endemic fruit trees, aromatic and medicinal plants and flowers, which are unique in the world.
The small botanical garden appeals to all five senses: you’ll see vivid colors, hear the local birds singing, smell the sweet fragrances of exotic flowers, get in touch with nature (literally), and even taste some of the natural spices growing in the garden.
Jardin des 5 Sens
The guided tour takes about an hour, which is interactive and educational. You will learn about the legends, medicinal virtues and culinary benefits of plants that grow up in the Rodriguan fertile soil.
Anse Mourouk is another white sandy beach in Mourouk village in Rodrigues. The ocean is mostly shallow and the sea bottom is flat making it one of the best kitesurfing spots on the island. This is also where the Rodrigues International Kite Surf Festival is held annually. This Kite Festival is an event created and organized by the Rodrigues Kitesurf Association with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the sponsors.
Kite Surf Festival
Balanced by a constant wind almost all year round, the kitesurf spot, Anse Mourouk’ is ideally located on a shallow turquoise lagoon for the practice of this sliding sport in complete safety in exceptional sailing conditions.
During this competition, Rodrigues will be vibrating to the rhythm of its kitesurf festival. Many experienced kitesurfing enthusiasts as well as experienced amateurs from the islands of the region and other parts of the world will perform for five days challenging each other in impressive aerial figures out of the waves.
There are many kitesurfing schools on the island which shows the popularity of kitesurfing in the region.
Pointe Cotton Beach is a popular beach in Rodrigues with sharp corals in the water. It will be good to wear water shoes for a more enjoyable swim. The beach, which is almost always deserted, is among the most beautiful beaches in the island.
The shallow lagoon that encircles the island is bordered by a protecting coral reef; 18 small islets lie within it. While Mont Limon and Mont Lubin, two volcanic peaks, stand guard over the island.
You can also take a walk along the right side of the beach to explore the large coral outcrop. The landscape there is completely different with strong wind and huge waves crashing against the cliffs. Rock formations of coral origin and shady casuarina groves surrounding the beach serve not only as a spectacular background, but also as reliable protection from strong winds.
Cotton Dive Centre
The area of the island where the beach is located is replete with resorts and restaurants for every taste and budget.
The coastal shallow water guarantees a safe family vacation with the kids. Active leisure enthusiasts can go swimming, parasailing, banana boating and water skiing. A pristine turquoise lagoon with coral reefs is for scuba diving fans.
About an hour’s walk from Pointe Coton on the East Coast takes you to the cove of Trou d’Argent, a charming little sandy beach sheltered by two magnificent cliffs.
Cotton Bay Resort
Cotton Bay Hotel is the nearest hotel. It is only 200 meters from the beach. It is a three star hotel. Tekoma Boutik Hotel Rodrigues is a 4-star hotel which is 1.3 kiliometres from the beach.
The Underwater Sea Walk is one of the most unique attractions that one must experience when visiting Mauritius. It is a good experience for all the non divers.
The underwater walk is a safe and fascinating walk on the ocean bed (about 3-4m depth), where you can witness firsthand the marine life of Mauritius, the beautiful fauna, corals, and a wide variety of fish, all in their natural habitat. The Walk does not require any knowledge of swimming or diving and you are not even required to remove your glasses.
Underwater Sea Walk
A helmet with a transparent visor is placed on your head. This equipment weighs 45 kg. You should be strong enough to carry this weight on your shoulders. A special apparatus allows normal breathing under the water. This trip is not recommended for pregnant women. Life Guards assist in taking you underwater and accompany you throughout the walk to guarantee your maximum safety. Total time of the excursion is approx. one hour (walk itself takes about 12-15 minutes).
The operating hours of the sea walk are between 9:00 and 14:30. You should have your own swimming costume and a towel.
If you want to get a close view of the natural surroundings of this volcanic island, then you can set off to the gorgeous eastern beaches of the island, notably Anse Ali, Pointe Cotton, Fumier,Saint Francois and Trou d’Argent, which is in fact best done by walking.
Trou-dArgent
Trou d’Argent has recently been ranked among the 30 best preserved beaches in the world. This sandy beach is not accessible through four wheeler so be ready for long walks if you really want to enjoy the peaceful environment that this place has to offer. You can get there with moderate effort by walking along the coastline and preserved narrow creek-like coves. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and offers a calm, relaxing environment. It encloses three coves. The best time to visit this place is between February to April or September to December.
Pointe Coton beach
Pointe Coton beach is famous for its rock formations of coral origin. Along the beach there are shady casuarina groves which serve not only as a spectacular background, but also as reliable protection from strong winds. The beach got its name from the beach where it is located. The popular hiking trail starts from here. The hikers leave from the bus stop for a hike of at least 2 hours along a 6-kilometre trail. The resort area of the island where the beach is located is replete with resorts and restaurants for every taste and budget. The coastal shallow water guarantees a safe swimming, parasailing, banana boating and water skiing.
Saint Francois
Saint Francois beach is a scenic viewpoint in Rodrigues. It is situated near Solange et Robert, and close to Solange & Robert guest house. The beach is lined with casuarina trees. Auberge St Francois and Tekoma Boutik Hotel are two of the hotels near St Francois beach.
