MAURITIUS GLASS GALLERY (Pont Fer, Phoenix; % 696 3360; e mgg[at]intnet.mu; ( 08.00–17.00 Mon–Sat; admission free) The workshop at Pont Fer produces handmade glass ornaments from recycled glass and aims to promote environmental awareness. Glass-blowing demonstrations take place throughout the day except 12.00–13.00 and there is a shop selling the products.
BOTANICAL GARDENS (Curepipe; ( 06.00–18.00 daily; admission free) The botanical gardens in Curepipe are a miniature Pamplemousses. There is a small lake in which nandia palms can be seen growing. It is a pleasant place in which to recover from the cacophony of Curepipe.
DOMAINE DES AUBINEAUX (Curepipe; % 676 3089; f 626 1535; e lesaintaubin[at] intnet.mu; ( 08.30–16.30 Mon–Fri, 08.30–13.30 Sat; admission adult/child Rs350/175) An attractive colonial house built in 1872 as the home of the owners of the Bois Chéri Tea Estate. Visitors can take a guided tour of the interior, which contains much of the original furniture and family photographs. The guide will explain the history of the family and the estate, as well as significant events in the island’s past. There is a small gift shop, selling locally made soap, rum and tea. Domaine des Aubineaux can be visited as part of the Route du Thé, which also includes a visit to the Bois Chéri Tea Factory and lunch at Le Saint Aubin
DOMAINE LES PAILLES (Les Guibies, Pailles; % 286 4225; f 286 4226; e domaine.sales[at]intnet.mu; domainelespailles.net; ( 09.00–17.30 daily; guided tour of the domaine adult/child Rs190/95, guided tour plus horse-carriage ride adult/child Rs270/135) Just 3km from Port Louis, this place offers a great day out. The domaine gives visitors an insight into the island’s past, with its recreation of an 18th-century ox-driven sugar mill, a working rum distillery from 1758 and other exhibits, such as aloe weaving and coffee grinding. There is also a spice garden and a tropical forest. It has four fantastic restaurants, as well as a shop, swimming pool and the island’s biggest casino. The vast reserve can be explored on horseback or in a 4x4, whilst shorter journeys are made by horse-drawn carriage or the estate’s train.
DOMAINE DE L’ETOILE (Royal Rd, Moka; % 729 1050; e resa.cieletnature[at]drbc-group.com; cieletnature.com; ( 09.30–16.30 daily) The estate lies on the Grande Rivière Sud-est. The forests, which are home to deer and many species of bird, can be explored on foot (Rs670), horseback (1½hrs with lunch adult/child Rs2,660/1,865), quad bike (2½hrs with lunch Rs2,530 per person on a double quad) or mountain bike (Rs670). Archery is also available (Rs670), using animal-shaped targets dotted around the forest. The estate has some beautiful scenery, including views of the coast from its hilltops. There is a good restaurant serving Mauritian cuisine and some of the packages include lunch there. Wear full-length trousers and bring mosquito repellent and suncream. Reservation recommended for all activities.
DOMAINE DES 7 VALLEES (Line Barracks, Mare aux Vacoas; % 631 3336; f 631 3198; e dchasseur[at]intnet.mu; domainedes7vallees.com; ( 09.00–17.00 daily). A 4,000ha estate known for its deer and wild boar hunting. Also offers quad biking, mountain biking, 4x4 tours, hiking, horseriding and archery. Reservation recommended.
EUREKA (Moka; % 433 8477; f 433 4951; e eurekamr[at]intnet.mu; maisoneureka.com; ( 09.00–17.00 Mon–Sat, 09.00–15.30 Sun; admission adult/child Rs250/125 (house & garden) A Creole mansion, built in 1830, which is now open to the public and also offers accommodation in cottages in its grounds. It is set in pleasant gardens overlooked by the Moka mountain range and crossed by the Moka River. The house is decorated in colonial style with antique furniture, some of which was produced by the French East India Company. Every detail is designed to take you back to that era. For an additional fee you can follow a trail through the grounds to a waterfall for a swim. A typical Creole lunch can be provided. See also Where to stay and Where to eat, page 186.
MUSEUM OF INDIAN IMMIGRATION (Le Réduit; % 433 1277; ( 09.00–16.00 Mon–Fri; admission free) Holds records relating to the indentured labour scheme and Indian immigration. They can help visitors trace ancestors who came to Mauritius as indentured labourers.
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