The Ragoonauths first wanted to bring back a bit of Madagascar in their suitcases? and this finally led them to open a shop. Of course, their minds are full of memories and flavours of the Big Island but they also wanted Mauritians to know more about Malagasy culture. This is how the Maison de Madagascar was born five months ago in Curepipe!

?Mauritians don?t know a lot about this great country. They only see some of its handicraft in markets but Madagascar is so much more?? Marie-Noëlle definitely feels a bit of nostalgia when she remembers her life there for twelve years. She insists on the ?good quality?of her products, which differ from the usual ones in terms of variety.

The items sold at the Maison de Madagascar are very diverse: spices (cinnamon, cloves, pepper, vanilla), chocolate, coffee, but also home decorations and baskets can be found on Marie-Noëlle?s shelves. The idea is to make the Mauritian public aware of what Madagascar can do. ?Because this country is full of resources? The real problem is that they can?t manage to make them known all over the world? Or even in the region!?

Sales went up considerably in December during the festive period. As a result, Marie-Noëlle has to restock her shelves? But this is for a good reason, isn?t it? ?Coffee has been of particular interest to customers,? she points out. And this was not the only ?successful item?.

Their strength, according to Marie-Noëlle, is that they can meet the demands of all categories of people. ?My shop is for everyone. Of course, there are high-class articles such as solitaire sets all in marble or semi-precious stones. Some pictures are entirely hand-made with those stones; the finesse and precision ? not to mention the natural colours ? make them really unusual presents!? All this of course demands much work and valuable materials so the prices are quite high.

But there are also items ?just as nice ? which you can find for practically nothing like hair- slides or kitchen utensils made in ?zebu horn? or even the hand-made wooden boxes.

At the Maison de Madagascar, you are certain to find that special and original present you have been looking for? And if you feel a bit tired, just take a seat at the shop?s cafe and taste the wonderful coffee from Madagascar! You?ll certainly be perked up!