L'Aventure du Sucre

The Beau Plan sugar factory worked from 1797 until it closed in 1999, and the mill was then converted into a museum that uses the surviving machinery in place: the crushing rollers, boilers, centrifuges and evaporators stand where they operated, with walkways through them and explanation of each stage. The exhibition around the machinery covers the wider story, which is the island's story, from the introduction of cane by the Dutch through slavery, abolition, the indenture system that brought half a million labourers from India, and the industry's decline under changing sugar prices. A tasting room at the end offers fifteen unrefined sugars and several rums. It is generally considered the best-presented museum in Mauritius.

What you actually see

• The factory machinery - the mill equipment left in place and explained.
• The historical exhibition - slavery, indenture and the sugar economy.
• The tasting room - unrefined sugars and rums at the end of the route.
• The old mill building - the industrial structure itself.

When to go

Year round; it is largely indoors. Allow two hours or more for the full route. It opens daily and is busiest with tour groups in the middle of the day, so early is better.

Honest expectations

The visit is long and text-heavy, and children tire of it. Entry is among the more expensive museum tickets on the island. The machinery is static, not running. The shop and tasting are prominent at the end.

Nearby

Pamplemousses botanical garden is next door; Chateau de Labourdonnais lies north.