Domaine de l’Etoile
Who does not know the legend of Paul and Virginie? It is a story like Romeo and Juliet.
In the early 1970s the bestseller by the French author Saint-Pierre was filmed on Mauritius as a television series. Some thirty years later the Domaine de l’Etoile, the original set of the series based on Mauritius’ legendary love story, opened its gates. The wooden cabin with its fantastic veranda was built specially for the filming. Mauritius offers not only beautiful beaches and sights but also impressive green nature, and the Domaine de l’Etoile is a large nature reserve in the mountainous landscape on the east coast of the island.
What has changed
The activity park that used to run here, with guided hikes, quad bikes, horse riding and archery organised by Ciel Nature, is gone. The Domaine de l’Etoile belongs to Alteo Property and presents itself as a venue for private and corporate events. It offers an indoor space of 250 square metres for seminars, product launches or celebrations, a covered terrace with panoramic views over the surrounding nature and a fully equipped professional kitchen for catering. The Domaine is about 10 minutes from Bel Air, 20 minutes from Centre de Flacq and around 40 minutes from the airport.
If you want to book the Domaine for an event, contact Alteo Property:
Alteo Property
Vivea Business Park, St Pierre, Mauritius
Phone: +230 402 9050
E-mail: property@alteo.mu
Website: property.alteo.mu
Nature and hiking nearby: La Vallée de Ferney
If you are looking for a walk in the forest or a safari instead, go to the nature reserve “La Vallée de Ferney” near Vieux Grand Port in the south-east of the island. The Ferney Conservation Park is one of the few remaining endemic forests of Mauritius. Expert guides lead you to the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon and the Mauritian echo parakeet. You can choose between hiking trails from 5 to 18 km or a 90-minute tour in a 4x4 vehicle through the valley. Bookings are compulsory, ideally 72 hours in advance.
La Vallée de Ferney
Phone: +230 660 1937
E-mail: lvdf@ferney.mu
Website: ferney.mu
Opening hours: daily, 8:30 am to 5 pm
Google Maps: La Vallée de Ferney
Close to Ferney is the restaurant “Ferney Falaise Rouge”, with a view over the bay of Grand Port, where the English and the French fought a battle in 1810. Its website says that the restaurant is temporarily closed; meanwhile you can have lunch or dinner at the Ferney Nature Lodge.