Le Château de Labourdonnais : a return to the roots.
Published on April 24, 2019
At the heart of a splendid estate, in the north of Mauritius, where spread out in perfect harmony, endemic plants and diversity of fruit trees, the castle Labourdonnais parade. Property of 540 hectares, the estate was founded in 1774. Built in 1856 by Christian Wiehe, the castle housed his family for more than 150 years. Contrary to what its name might suggest, it was not Mahé de Labourdonnais’ home and the estate was named before its acquisition by Christian Wiehe. In 1960, the factory was disassembled and reassembled piece by piece in … Zimbabwe. There remains the large fireplace that stands in the middle of the field. Beautiful colonial building of neo-classical style, it was perfectly renovated in 2006 by international craftsmen specializing in the renovation of historic monuments, to respect the traditional techniques and style of the time. The castle opened its doors to visitors in 2010. The gardens were created in the years 1850 to 1860 with the help of a gardener from Nantes and a horticulturist from Reunion, and perfectly maintained until today.
The Château de Labourdonnais is today a cultural site of great renown and a jewel of the Mauritian heritage. You will discover through the history of the Wiehe family, the art of living of the nineteenth century in Mauritius. At the turn of a magnificent alley of Intendances leading to the Castle, the visitors are invited to discover a magical place full of history where mix with taste, Italian neo-classissism, Victorian style, and the french touch.
After the visit of the building, enjoy the fruit juice tasting of the orchards and arranged rums offered with the visit and stroll through the gardens to discover the ancient trees and giant tortoises.
If time permits, you can finish your excursion with a lunch at La Table du Château.
La Table du Château is a contemporary and refined restaurant in the heart of the Domaine de Labourdonnais. The chef Fabio de Poli proposes a gastronomic and creative menu inspired by the fruits and vegetables of the estate. The idyllic setting, the breathtaking view of the castle, the tasty and inventive cuisine, the attentive and discreet service at the same time, everything is there to spend a pleasant moment romantic, or more numerous with family or friends.
The visits of the Domain are open from 9h to 17h every day. The Table du Château is open Monday to Saturday from 9h to 22h and Sunday from 9h to 17h.