IDENTITY CARD
Formalities Valid passport.
Area code : + 230.
Time difference 3h in winter, +2h in summer.
Currency Rupee (MUR).
1 euro = 36 MUR (March 2017).
Best season With temperatures ranging from 20 to 35 degrees, all seasons are pleasant. However, it is best to avoid the cyclone season (January-March).
Group size : With an extensive range of top-of-the-range hotels and event venues with large capacities, the island can host events for 20 to 500 people.
GETTING THERE
Corsair offers up to four flights a week between Paris Orly (South terminal) and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, located 50 km from Mauritius's capital Port Louis, and no more than an hour's drive from most resorts. Service to the island is offered by Boeing 747-400 aircraft, comprising Horizon economy class - with good seat spacing and king-size entertainment screens - and Grand Large class. Until now, with its 126° reclining seats, this cabin has been the flagship of the airline's offer, combined with 'plus' services such as priority check-in and access to the Corsair lounge in Paris and the VIP lounge in Mauritius. From July, however, passengers will be able to take advantage of the new Business class launched by Corsair in February. This will be rolled out across the entire fleet, in addition to the two existing classes. Equipped with bed-seats, the Business cabin will offer a chic and elegant atmosphere, original culinary experiences, an enhanced entertainment offer and an iPad pro.
Tel: 39 17 - Internet: corsair.fr
TO FIND OUT MORE
Mauritius Tourist Board (MTPA)
5e Rue St Louis. 11302 Port Louis. Mauritius
Tel: +230 2031900 - Email: mtpa@intnet.mu
Internet: www.tourism-mauritius.mu
In France: 122, avenue des Champs Elysées. 75008 Paris
Tel: 01 53 43 53 37 - Email: Ilemaurice.france@aviareps.com
HOTELS
BELLE MARE
The Residence
The chic atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties, a lush garden overlooking a fine sandy beach, comfortable deckchairs surrounded by attentive staff: being placed under house arrest at this luxury resort is certainly a delicious punishment. The 135 rooms and 28 suites, housed in colonial-style buildings of dazzling white contrasting with the infinite blue of the ocean, are in tune with the interior design created by Hirsch & Bedner, an agency accredited by the major luxury brands, using noble materials. The result is a discreet elegance with a hint of tropical softness. Since 2015, the Residence has catered for corporate events, with a fully-equipped conference room for 30 to 90 people. For smaller groups, the hotel can also convert two of its beautiful suites into exclusive meeting rooms. Two restaurants, one of which, the Plantation, can be privatised for lunches and dinners for up to 200 guests, a huge swimming pool, a spa and a yacht club offering a wide choice of activities: glass-bottom boat trips, snorkelling, water-skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, etc.
Coastal Road. Belle Mare. Tel: +230 401 88 88
Email : info-mauritius@theresidence.com
Internet : cenizaro.com/en/theresidence/mauritius
LE MORNE
Lux* Le Morne
Like a link between two divine islands. The reception pavilion at Lux* Le Morne is inspired by traditional Balinese architecture. But the shadow of Morne Brabant reminds the disorientated traveller that this is Mauritius, at the foot of a hill so beautiful that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As ambassadors of local hospitality, the Lux* brand offers 50 reasons to discover the resort, all of which are excellent and range from homemade ice creams to cool down with in the afternoon, to aperitivos organised on the beach at sunset, from treasure hunts organised in the resort to little touches such as a London-style phone box that allows guests to call free of charge "anywhere in the world, except the office", as the hotel puts it. Because everything here is dedicated to relaxation, and we could list a thousand and one other good reasons for a pleasant stay: 85 junior suites and 64 spacious rooms with balcony or terrace, two swimming pools, a spa, friendly service, three restaurants, one of which, serving Thai cuisine, is considered to be the best in Africa, and of course all the nautical pleasures: windsurfing, pedalos, kayaking, dinghy sailing, snorkelling, water-skiing. Meeting room for 30 people.
Tel: +230 401 4000 or 0970 405 707 (free call from France).
Email : reservation@luxresorts.com
Internet : www.luxresorts.com
Dinarobin / Paradise
The Beachcomber group has the privilege of offering two beautiful resorts at the foot of Le Morne, the Dinarobin and the Paradis, both with a team dedicated to incentive groups. Probably because the mountains are closer and more present here, the Dinarobin's décor is inspired by the colour black, with decorative pools in dark tones, enhanced by the green of the coconut palms planted on small islets. Around these are the hotel's communal areas, whose architecture is inspired by traditional huts. Further on, avenues of royal palms lead to the small houses that house the 175 suites and villas. The Dinarobin shares an 18-hole golf course with its neighbour, Le Paradis. Offering 280 rooms and suites, this hotel has a 180-person conference room available to its guests and those of the Dinarobin.
Tel.: +230 401 4900 - France Email : dinarobin@beachcomber.com
Internet : www.beachcomber-hotels.com
RESTAURANTS AND INCENTIVE VENUES
The Sugar Adventure
Like the famous Pamplemousses tropical garden not far away, l'Aventure du sucre is one of the must-see excursions on an incentive holiday in Mauritius. This former sugar factory, now a museum, traces the history of the island and explains the various stages in the transformation of sugar cane into bagasse, molasses, refined sugars and distilled spirits. Between a guided tour, a sugar cane cutting activity, rum tasting and, why not, a meeting in the conference room, groups can devote a whole day to the museum, punctuated by a gala dinner under the tents set in the shade of the flamboyant trees. The venue can accommodate 1,000 people buffet-style and 500 seated. For smaller groups, the Fangourin restaurant offers a locally inspired menu.
Beau Plan, Pamplemousses. - Tel: +230 243 7900
Email: aventure.sucre@intnet.mu
Internet : www.aventuredusucre.com
Le Chamarel
Recently renovated, this open-air thatched cottage-style restaurant offers Mauritian cuisine with a fusion flavour: venison bresaola, heart of palm salad, duck curry, Grand Port sea bass a la plancha and, of course, for dessert, baba au rhum from the Chamarel distillery. But even more than the quality of the food, it's the view over the whole south-western part of the island, from Morne to the Tamarin turret, that makes this place such a popular stop-off. Private hire for up to 250 people.
Crete - Tel: +230 483 4421
Internet: le-chamarel.restaurant.mu
The Étoile estate
On quad bikes or horseback, on foot or suspended from a zip line, this beautiful natural park offers a multitude of ways to discover the lush nature that covers its green hills. The estate also organises treasure hunts, tug-of-war and other challenges, so groups can spend a day in the great outdoors between fun activities and work sessions, as the restaurant is equipped with a video projector. The day can be rounded off with dinner and dancing. Up to 200 participants for team-building activities and 500 or even 1,000 for meals.
Tel: +230 5423 1055 - Email: nalini@terrocean.mu
Internet : terrocean.mu
The Eureka house and the Aubineaux estate
Rescued from cyclones as well as the march of history, these charming residences illustrate the life of the rich colonists through their rooms filled with furniture from the East India Company and family souvenirs. To extend the passage of time, these august houses have set up private restaurants for groups under their canopies, serving typical Mauritian cuisine. Domaine des Aubineaux marks the start of the Tea Route, and can be followed by a visit to the Bois Chéri factory.
Domaine des Aubineaux
Route Royal - Forest Side - Tel: + 230 676 3089
Email: sales@saintaubin.mu - Internet: www.saintaubin.mu
Eureka House
Moka - Tel: +230 433 8477
Internet: maison-eureka.restaurant.mu
PRACTICAL GUIDES
Mauritius, Géoguide, Gallimard; Mauritius-Rodrigues, Le petit Futé; Mauritius and Rodrigues, Guide du Routard, Hachette; Mauritius and Rodrigues, Guide Evasion, Hachette.
Grand Bassin: the mythical resurgence of the Indian Ganges in the centre of Mauritius
Travellers may not immediately realise it when consulting a map of Mauritius, but a sacred link connects the natural lake of Grand Bassin, in the mountainous part of the island, to the river Ganges, on the other side of the Indian Ocean. This subterranean and mythical union explains why Grand Bassin, also known as 'Ganga Talao', is a popular place of worship for Hindu devotees, who come to worship in front of the colourful statues representing the entire Indian pantheon and in the many temples. The lake attracts large crowds in February or March, depending on the year, when Mauritians of Indian origin - some 500,000 souls - converge on Grand Bassin to celebrate the Maha Shivaratree, the festival of the god Shiva, some travelling dozens of kilometres on foot and taking with them offerings and colourful altars.
