On the occasion of World Heritage Day 2026, the statue Paul & Virginie statue in the Jardin des Pamplemousses, one of the most photographed works in Mauritius, has been restored to its former glory thanks to the support of SummerTimes, a responsible player in the Mauritian tourism industry.
As part of its GreenTimes initiative, the company has decided to contribute to this restoration. A symbolically powerful choice for SummerTimes, whose head office is on avenue Bernardin de Saint-Pierre in Quatre-Bornes. Conducted under the supervision of researcher and scientist Dr. Jean Claude Autrey, and in partnership with the Rotary Club of Port Louis, the restoration aims to maintain the integrity of the site and ensure its transmission to future generations.
Inspired by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre’s famous novel, the statue embodies a literary imagination deeply rooted in Mauritian collective memory. Located at the heart of a garden that is home to over 800 plant species, it is much more than just a tourist landmark: it is a meeting place for local history and visitors from all over the world.
For Laura Hitié, Managing Director of SummerTimes, this project is above all a question of coherence: preserving what makes Mauritius unique also means preserving what visitors come here for. It’s a vision that sees tourism as a player in the enhancement of our heritage, rather than a mere beneficiary. Through GreenTimes, SummerTimes intends to continue in this vein, with other projects focusing on the environment, education and health. Proof that economic commitment and the common good can, together, make a difference.
