Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
'Sweet water hole' sits at a set of major crossroads making it the unwitting tourism hub on
this side of the island. It's a lovely little place, if a bit melancholic, where fishermen un-
ravel their nets after a morning at sea and housewives walk around with baskets of vegies
balanced on their heads. The sea is a stunning shade of blue here, but Trou d'Eau Douce's
claim to fame is its easy access to the massively popular Île aux Cerfs, a favoured destina-
tion for day-tripping tourists. As a result, this seaside township makes a great base for ex-
ploring the east coast - especially for those on a tighter budget.
Sights & Activities
Two of the island's best golf courses are here - the Touessrok's fairway masterpiece on Île
aux Cerfs and the Ernie Els-designed dreamscape in the Anahita complex.
Natural Spring
OFFLINE MAP
SPRING
The actual
trou d'eau douce
for which the town is named can be found in a man-made
stone hole next to the national coast guard's office. To find the natural spring, follow the
fork in the main road away from the Gothic church as it slopes down the hill to the docks
- the well is on the right side. Locals visit the stash of fresh water when the government
supply gets corrupted after a strong storm.
Victoria 1840
OFFLINE MAP
( 480 0220;
www.maniglier.com
;
Victoria Rd; noon-3pm & 7-10pm Mon-Sat)
Worth a look, Victoria
1840 is an old sugar mill that has been lovingly refurbished to house some of the works of
Yvette Maniglier, a bewitching French painter who spent a year under the wing of Ma-
tisse. The juxtaposition of industrial brick and splashy modern art works surprisingly well
and is best appreciated while dining at the in-house restaurant, Le Café des Arts (
Click
ART GALLERY
Sleeping
There's more choice in and around Trou d'Eau Douce than anywhere else on the east
coast, and you'll find a decent range of budget and midrange accommodation. The area's
upmarket sleeps are, for the most part, a little way out of town and you'll need a taxi or
private vehicle to reach them.
