The Bel Ombre's 100th anniversary

The Bel Ombre sugar estate celebrated its 100th anniversary by launching a book recounting its history, emotions and future.

Jean Pierre Lenoir was in-charge of crafting and writing this memoir.

Lenoir has lived in Bel Ombre for most of his life with his grandfather, who founded the company in 1910 and who was also the owner of the estate.

“When there is passion and when one has memories, it makes a book like this easy to write. You only have to pour your heart out on paper,” stated the author, during the official launch of the book titled ‘Bel Ombre entre mer et montagne’.

The event was held at Rogers House, Port Louis on Tuesday.

The book consists of around 300 pages covering various themes such as historic facts of the region and the Indian Ocean, the history of the development of the company and island and the people who shaped the south of the island. This is all accentuated with splendid black and white photos of that era.

Present on this occasion, Daniel Thomas, human resources manager of Bel Ombre sugar estate stated, “It’s been 35 years since I have been working here. This has allowed me to witness direct changes”

He added,” I have witnessed the sugar boom and its slump as well as migration to other opportunities.”

The estate had closed its doors in 1999. It now regroups at least five hotels and has a vast Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) project with special consideration for the environment “Bel Ombre foundation emphasises education, formation and helping small enterprises stay in line with developments in the region,” added Thomas.