La Corbeille has been totally revamped but don’t worry! Only its appearance has changed; all the products of the shop are still 100% natural and come from the orchards of the domain. The only difference is the authentic Mauritian touch they have added to the atmosphere of the shop…

And this is just what Labourdonnais is all about: authenticity… Hence, it is no surprise to see that this showcase just reflects the image and atmosphere of the whole domain. With its wooden shelves, its gardeners’ baskets used as lampshades or as fruit containers, the shop exudes a local air. The decoration actually adds to the impression of freshness of the vegetables, fruits and flowers that contribute to make the shop even more attractive.

Of course, a huge place is given to products made with Labourdonnais “raw materials” in its own factory: jams, juices, sorbets or honey are given first importance on the shelves. But they also aim at providing the customers with any type of product that will add a little “plus” to their table – from “gateau coco” (coconut cakes) and ‘mud cake’ to bottles of wine, without forgetting the ‘cassoulet’ of baked beans and meat.

<B>Exotic bouquets & birthday cakes</B>

Since its re-opening in September, La Corbeille has launched two main novelties. The shop now makes bouquets with flowers of the domain with an exotic touch. “Bunches can cost from Rs 200 to Rs 300 depending on the size and flowers chosen. We like to add an exotic touch with tiny pineapples for instance,” comments the marketing and property manager of Labourdonnais, Annabelle Wiehé. La Corbeille has also started making cakes on order for children’s birthdays, and decorates them to the birthday girl or boy’s taste!

But Labourdonnais has not stopped there. The jewel in the crown is undeniably the newly built La Terrasse on the side of the shop. As La Corbeille has had regular customers for twenty years, it is much more a place where people enjoy spending time shopping for natural products than one where they have to do a chore. So La Corbeille now has a café where customers can enjoy a juice, a coffee or lunch.

“We often see mothers living around whose children are in one of the schools nearby who come and have a cup of coffee after their shopping or while waiting for their children to finish school… Others like to take their children along for lunch when they finish at 12,” Annabelle relates. It seems indeed that La Terrasse has come up to people’s expectations, as the company is about to expand it by adding some chairs and tables. “As we have realised that people enjoy spending some time here, we will also add new choices to the quiches, pasta salads and pancakes on our menu,” specifies Annabelle.

What attracts people at La Corbeille may actually be its ‘human’ size. The shop only sells natural and local vegetables, fruits or flowers and there is quite a limited amount in the shop – depending on the season and the harvests. This brings it closer to people. The great environment around with the greenhouse, orchards and tree nursery – where people can come and buy plants for their garden – adds to the pleasant atmosphere. The more so as they can walk or ride a bicycle to explore the place before sampling the crystallized fruit, juice or sorbet at La Terrasse…

<B>Major ongoing projects</B>

■ Labourdonnais wants to diversify “while keeping its authenticity and local touch”. With this in mind, the marketing and property manager is very happy to launch the rental of spaces for small and medium enterprises. There are already some offices on the domain but the company intends to finish work on 19 houses - formerly inhabited by employees of the sugar estate – by February 2007. The main house (Château Wiehé), built in 1858, and the chapel are also being renovated for further development.