Chateau de Labourdonnais

Château de Labourdonnais is a colonial estate, a former sugar cane plantation, in the northwest of Mauritius, considered one of the island's major cultural and architectural attractions. Built in 1859, this grand neoclassical building served as the residence of one of Mauritius' most influential families, the Labourdonnais. In 2010, the estate was completely restored and turned into a museum. 

Inside the chateau you can familiarize yourself with the carefully restored interiors, where the original furniture and household items of the XIX century have been preserved. You will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the colonial era and learn more about the life of the aristocracy of that time.

Here you can stroll through the picturesque gardens and enjoy stunning ocean views, as well as taste local fruits and drinks produced in the local distillery. There is also a restaurant for visitors to enjoy local cuisine made from produce grown on the estate.

Cost to visit Chateau de Labourdonnais

The estate is open to the public from 9am and 5pm, the cost of a visit with juice and rum tasting may vary depending on the season, on average a visit for two people costs 500 - 600 Mauritian rupees (11 - 13€). Additionally, you can purchase an excursion to the museum and a local farm.

History of Chateau de Labourdonnais

The history of this estate dates back to a concession agreement for the cultivation of a plot of land in 1774, granted to two orphaned sisters. The owners of this estate were once engaged in sugar production, like almost everyone else in Mauritius. The Labourdone estate changed hands several times, its territory increased and in 1854 it was bought by Christian Villiers. 

Christian Viye was an enlightened agriculturist, a member of the Legislative Council and the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture. It was he who began to plant orchards, which eventually became his main passion. 

In 1856, Vieille began construction of a magnificent palace - the Château, which was completed in 1859 - a two-storey building with mezzanine is decorated with a colonnade that protects the interior from the sun and creates a refreshing flow of air. The interiors are decorated in Victorian style and the furniture for the estate was custom made in Britain and France.

The restoration of the palace, completed in 2010, returned it to its original splendor. The work lasted four years and involved some of the world's best restorers.

Chateau de Labourdonnaye Orchard

Today you can stroll through an industrial-sized orchard of mangoes, guavas, papayas, lychees, mandarins, oranges, kumquats, bergamot, pomelos and other exotic plants. The local factory produces natural juices, jams and jams, sherbets and marmalades from the harvested fruits, which can be purchased in the store. Production is completely natural, without the use of any modern chemistry - dyes and flavorings.

Chateau de Labourdonnay distillery

On the territory there is a small distillery, where you can observe all the stages of rum production from sugar cane. Two types of rum are produced here - “Roumere” and “La Bourdonnais”. And in the local bar you will be offered a tasting of various infusions made with different fruits and spices. Tinctures taste and aroma are very similar to liqueur with bright exotic notes. The drinks you like, including rum, can be purchased in the estate store - a perfect souvenir or a gift for friends.

Chateau de Labourdonnais Restaurant

In the estate's restaurant, the chef will serve you dishes made from the fruits and vegetables of the garden, as well as dishes based on old recipes of the Villiers family - they were found in the local archive. To complete your visit to the estate, we recommend a visit to the tea room, where you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with local marmalades and jams in the fresh air.

Château de Labordonnais Museum

Here you can learn about the history of the family that owned the chateau, their contribution to the development of the island and agricultural industries such as rum production and fruit growing.

The restored interiors of the chateau will tell you how the families who owned the estate lived. The rooms display original furniture, tableware, textiles and décor of the time. Museum exhibits include historical artifacts related to agriculture, plantations and local culture, as well as documents, photographs and paintings illustrating life in Mauritius during the colonial period. 

The museum also hosts exhibitions on the art and history of Mauritius.

Chateau de Labourdonnais Farmhouse

There is also a small livestock farm on the estate, which is part of its optional tour program. This is an ideal place for families with children to get to know the animals in their natural environment. The farm is home to different species of birds and animals such as chickens, goats, cows and rabbits. Visitors can not only observe the animals, but also learn more about how they live and how the farm helps to maintain the ecological farming of the Chateau grounds.

The farm helps to preserve the traditional farming methods that were an important part of life on the estate in the past.

Reviews of Château de Labourdonnais

Overall, reviews of Château de Labordonnais are very positive, with tourists often commenting on the following points:

• Beautiful architecture and interior, historical value: Tourists admire the beautifully restored colonial building and its atmosphere. Many note that the interiors give a clear picture of life in the 19th century, and the interior details have been restored with great attention to detail.
• Beautiful and well-maintained gardens: Guests often mention the beauty of the surrounding gardens and fruit plantations. A walk around the estate leaves a pleasant impression thanks to the lush vegetation and exotic trees.
• Rum Tasting: One of the highlights of the visit is tasting the local rum. Tourists praise the variety of flavors and the unique experience of learning about the rum production process. They also note that it is possible to purchase rum and other products from the on-site store.
• Gastronomic experience: Some guests mention the restaurant and café on the castle grounds. They note that the food, prepared with local products and according to ancient recipes, is of high quality and interesting flavor.
• Quiet and relaxing atmosphere: Many tourists write that Château de Labourdonnais is a quiet place that is ideal for a relaxing vacation away from the hustle and bustle of population centers. They appreciate the silence, the beauty of nature and the opportunity to leisurely enjoy the surroundings.

Negative reviews are extremely rare and mainly concern things like high entrance ticket prices and waiting times at the restaurant in high season.