The Château de Labourdonnais, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius, was built on a property that was originally an old concession obtained in 1777 by two young orphans, Mary Louise and Henriette Tréouart de Longpré. In 1814, Jean Baptiste Germain acquired a portion of the estate and built the first sugar mill. The site was bought in 1821 by Jacques de Chasteigner Du Mée, who expanded the estate till his death in 1847 – increasing it from 186 acres to 1,400 acres - and named it after Labourdonnais. The estate then became the property of two sisters: Ladies Bourgault and Aubin.
In 1854, Christian Wiehe, married to a daughter of Mrs. Bourgault, purchased the domain. An enlightened agriculturalist, this distinguished personality of Mauritian life further developped the estate and sat as a member of the Legislative Council and Chamber of Agriculture. He became an influential man due to his business acumen. In 1856, he decided to start building the château which would be completed in 1859.
In 1854, Christian Wiehe, married to a daughter of Mrs. Bourgault, purchased the domain. An enlightened agriculturalist, this distinguished personality of Mauritian life further developped the estate and sat as a member of the Legislative Council and Chamber of Agriculture. He became an influential man due to his business acumen. In 1856, he decided to start building the château which would be completed in 1859.