Mauritius holidays aren’t just about luxurious hotels, beautiful beaches, island cuisine and Creole architecture. Of course the island does feature all of those things along with hidden coves, deserted bays, off-the beaten track gems and pretty day trip locations like Domaine & Verger Labourdonnais.
Comprising of an exotic tropical fruit orchard, Labourdonnais is situated over 50 hectares on a private property featuring a Mauritian colonial house, a chapel and 2 tall basalt rock chimneys. If you are staying in a Beachcomber Hotel like Le Victoria, Trou aux Biches, Le Cannonier or Royal Palm you will find the orchards an easy day trip option. The orchards are located in the village of Mapou just a few kilometers from Grand Bay. What's more, entrance is free!
The orchards are also accessible from hotels like the Grand Mauritian, Oberoi, Maritim and Paul & Virginie.
You’ll find greenhouses filled with a wide variety beautiful tropical flowers like brightly coloured orchids, bougainvillea and hibiscus. A little further down, one will also find a unique vegetable patch – but fruit is perhaps the real star.
The best way to explore this sumptuous orchard is on two wheels! So take a bicycle (available onsite) and let your senses be your guide. Follow the trail of the distinctive citrus fruits and tropical guavas as their aromas permeate the air. Hmm!
Don’t miss the chance to taste the tropical fruits first hand fresh from the gardens. You probably wouldn’t have tasted the juicy flesh of paw paws or the unusual taste of jackfruits or even the sweet bananas that are indigenous to this region.
Other fruits include the different varieties of guavas ( known locally as goyaves de chine and goyaves de france) along with grapefruits, custard apples, passion fruit and pineapples. And take a break to refresh yourself with freshly squeezed juices and home-made sorbets.
Some of these items make perfect gifts to bring home and you can purchase these from the shop after your visit. Things like pâtes de fruits (preserved fruits) and jams are neatly packed in gift boxes and ought to be well received by friends and relatives.
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