Each month, we invite you to explore one of the museum’s iconic spaces. Today, discover sugar cane from a new perspective — not only as one of Mauritius’ emblematic crops, but as a plant that shapes landscapes, drives scientific research, and has accompanied the island’s history for more than four centuries.
A Plant at the Heart of Mauritian History
Since the 17th century, sugar cane has been deeply intertwined with Mauritian identity. Yet behind the vast fields that define the island’s scenery lies a fascinating human and scientific adventure, carried forward by generations of passionate botanists, agronomists, and engineers.
In this immersive space, visitors discover how science and observation enabled sugar cane to adapt to the Mauritian climate and become one of the island’s greatest resources.
A Journey of Exploration and Discovery
The experience begins with an unexpected encounter: botanist Philibert Commerson and Jeanne Barret, the extraordinary woman who became the first female circumnavigator after disguising herself as a valet to join Bougainville’s expedition.
Through a captivating audio narrative, their voices guide visitors through Mauritius in 1768. Over nearly five years, their observations, collections, and research helped expand botanical knowledge of the island and reveal the exceptional richness of its flora.
At the Heart of Agricultural Expertise
The visit continues with an immersive film that takes visitors through the major stages of sugar cane cultivation: land preparation, planting, growth, and harvesting. It is a true tribute to Mauritian agricultural expertise and to the women and men who have cultivated this iconic plant for generations.
Then comes the time for experimentation. Around an interactive and educational table, everyone becomes an apprentice agronomist.
Visitors explore Mauritius’ volcanic soils, discovering their textures, colours, and unique characteristics, while learning how these elements influence crop selection and land preparation.
Using real cane cuttings, they compare different sugar cane varieties and discover their specific traits: disease resistance, water requirements, yield, and adaptability to climatic conditions. It is a fascinating immersion into a long-term scientific process, where developing a new variety can sometimes require up to fifteen years of research.
Behind the Scenes of Research
One of the most impressive moments of the exhibition is undoubtedly the discovery of life-size reconstructed pollination cages. Here, visitors learn how researchers “cross” sugar cane varieties to naturally create new plants that are more resilient and better suited to environmental challenges.
These little-known spaces are where the sugar cane of the future is born.
To extend the experience, an interactive game invites both children and adults to test their knowledge and precision through planting activities.
A Valuable Ally for the Environment
Beyond its economic and historical importance, sugar cane also plays a vital role in maintaining the island’s environmental balance.
Its deep roots stabilize the soil and help prevent erosion. Its natural regrowth, which can last up to seven years without replanting, helps preserve the microflora of agricultural land. Its abundant leaves also contribute to local climate cooling through the plant’s natural transpiration process.
The exhibition also highlights a lesser-known aspect of sugar cane cultivation: biological pest control. In Mauritius, several animals and insects naturally protect crops from pests, reducing the need for pesticides.
The common myna feeds on harmful insects, mongooses hunt rats, ladybirds eliminate aphids, and scoliid wasps parasitize larvae living in the soil. It is a fascinating demonstration of the delicate balance between agriculture and biodiversity.
A Living Heritage Looking Toward the Future
This space reveals the full richness of sugar cane: a plant that tells the story of Mauritius, the evolution of science, agricultural expertise, and the environmental challenges of tomorrow.
Far more than a crop, sugar cane emerges here as a true living heritage, deeply rooted in Mauritian identity.
Ready to discover the scientific secrets behind the plant that shapes the landscapes of Mauritius?
👉 Visit us Monday to Saturday (including public holidays), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at L’Aventure du Sucre.
