# Domaine les Pailles

> What has become of Domaine les Pailles, the former leisure park near Port Louis, and where to go instead for sugar and rum.

The Domaine les Pailles lies in the centre of Mauritius between the two cities of Quatre Bornes and Port Louis, at the foot of the Moka mountain range. For many years it was one of the best-known leisure parks of the island, with a guided tour through a sugar mill and a rum distillery, a spice garden, a little train, carriage rides and a jeep safari through the deer park.

![The Moka mountain range seen across the water from Balaclava](https://www.mauritius-guide.net/photos/commons/domaine-les-pailles-moka-range.jpg "Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mauritius_Moka-Range-from-Balaclava-Fort-01.jpg · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0")

## What has changed

The estate has changed hands. In 2015 the State Investment Corporation transferred land and several restaurant buildings of the Domaine to the investor Yihai, who planned a residential “smart city” there. The project stalled with only part of the promised investment made, and it is now the subject of court proceedings. Press reports describe the former leisure park as neglected and largely closed, and the management agreement for the stables ended on 30 November 2025.

The guided tour, the sugar mill, the train, the carriage rides and the jeep safari no longer run. A casino and a few restaurants are still open; if you plan to go there for a meal, check beforehand.

[Domaine les Pailles](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Domaine+les+Pailles%2C+Port+Louis%2C+Mauritius)

## Alternatives

If you are looking for a heritage estate with a sugar and rum story, try the Domaine de Labourdonnais in the north of the island. The Château de Labourdonnais has an underground museum about Mauritius’ sugar heritage, an animal park, gardens with historic orchards and rum tastings. The estate is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; last admission is at 3:45 pm.

**Domaine de Labourdonnais**\
Phone: +230 266 3007\
E-mail: [leisure@ddl.mu](mailto:leisure@ddl.mu)\
Website: [domainedelabourdonnais.com](https://domainedelabourdonnais.com/)\
Google Maps: [Domaine de Labourdonnais](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Domaine+de+Labourdonnais%2C+Mapou%2C+Mauritius)

To see how sugar is made, visit [L’Aventure du Sucre](https://www.mauritius-guide.net/laventure-du-sucre/) in Pamplemousses. For a working rum distillery with a tasting, go to the [Rhumerie de Chamarel](https://www.mauritius-guide.net/rhumerie-de-chamarel/).

Source: https://www.mauritius-guide.net/domaine-les-pailles/