In the heart of the Domaine de Bel Air in Sainte-Suzanne, Payet & Rivière grows, processes, and adds value to sugarcane juice.
Our artisanal sugar shack is part of a family-owned Estate in northeastern Réunion. Here, sugarcane is not just a raw material—it is at the heart of a craft that we explore from planting through processing.
Through our sugar factory, we seek to reveal the diverse expressions of Réunion sugarcane, prioritizing an artisanal, local approach deeply rooted in our terroir.
A sugar mill in the heart of a sugarcane plantation
The Domaine de Bel Air is the starting point of our approach.
Located in Sainte-Suzanne, in the northeastern part of Réunion, this historic farm is now dedicated primarily to the cultivation of sugarcane and the processing of this raw material.
The proximity between the plantation and the sugar factory allows us to track the sugarcane from its source and work directly with its juice.
This integration of agriculture and processing is at the heart of our identity: we do not view sugarcane merely as a material intended to produce sugar or rum, but as a raw material rich in possibilities.
From Sugarcane to the Finished Product
It all begins in the fields.
The sugarcane grown on the Bel Air Estate is harvested and then processed to extract its juice. This juice is the raw material for our work at the sugar shack.
Extraction, filtration, concentration, and boiling allow the cane juice to gradually transform and reveal its unique characteristics.
These different stages give rise to sugar products with varied profiles, textures, and uses, while maintaining a connection to their raw material and origin.
Our sugar factory is thus both a place of processing and experimentation with sugarcane.
Galabé: A Testament to Our Expertise in Sugar Production
Among the creations from our factory, Galabé holds a special place.
Galabé is an unrefined, local sugar from Réunion made from sugarcane juice. It is one example of our work with sugarcan juice as a raw material and our commitment to finding new ways to showcase Réunion’s sugarcane.
We’ve chosen to bring this expertise to life through a variety of products: candy, syrup, caramel, and even gems.
A sugar shack that explores all the possibilities of sugarcane
Sugarcane offers far more than just one way to be processed.
At Payet & Rivière, we’ve chosen to explore different avenues to make the most of this raw material from our plantation.
Our sugar factory processes the sugarcane juice to create non-refined sugar products, while another path leads to the distillation and production of our Estate rums.
This synergy between the artisanal sugar factory and the distillery allows us to take a holistic approach to sugarcane, from the plantation to the finished product.
Visit our sugar refinery in Sainte-Suzanne
The Payet & Rivière sugar factory and distillery is located in the heart of the Domaine de Bel Air in Sainte-Suzanne.
Our tours offer a chance to explore our agricultural surroundings, the history of the estate, and the various stages of sugarcane processing.
Depending on the tour you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the plantation, the artisanal sugar factory, the production of Galabé, the distillery, and our various areas of expertise.
“Galabé & Rum” Tour
A one-hour tour to discover the world of Payet & Rivière, our work with sugarcane, and our sugar and distilled products. The tour concludes with a tasting of our products.
“Sugar Cane as Legacy” Tour
A two-hour tour to delve deeper into the history of the Domaine de Bel Air and its connection to sugarcane cultivation in Réunion.
