Villa Vie’s story began in 1982, in the north of Mauritius, when Françoise Maujean founded the family agency, initially specialising in holiday rentals.

In 2011, her daughter, Sophie Hardy, joined the family business. The idea was not to change what Villa Vie stood for, but to build on it. As the Mauritian property market evolved, the agency gradually expanded its activities, including the development of property sales to international buyers from 2016, while preserving the personal approach established by Françoise from the beginning.  

More than four decades later, Villa Vie, the 2026 Luxury Lifestyle Awards winner for Best Luxury Independent Real Estate Agency in Mauritius, has grown, but its family spirit and the values behind the agency have remained the same: transparency, kindness, professionalism and strong ethics.

Growing With Mauritius

Villa Vie has had the chance to grow alongside Mauritius.

Over the decades, the island has evolved considerably. Its residential offering has developed, its property market has become more international, and more people now consider Mauritius not only as a holiday destination, but also as a place to invest, own a second home or settle.

Villa Vie has seen the way clients experience Mauritius change too. A first stay on the island can become a longer rental, a second home or, eventually, a permanent move. From holiday rentals in its early years to long-term rentals and property sales today, the agency has naturally evolved alongside these changing needs, sometimes accompanying the same clients through several chapters of their life in Mauritius.

Through these changes, Villa Vie has remained a Mauritian family agency: deeply rooted in the island while accustomed to accompanying an increasingly international clientele.

Much of the agency’s reputation has grown naturally through word of mouth, the trust of its clients and the importance given to long-term relationships.

Knowing the North

The north of Mauritius is where Villa Vie was born and remains the region the agency knows best.

Over more than four decades, Grand Baie and its surroundings have developed into some of the island’s most sought-after places to live. Villa Vie has witnessed this transformation firsthand, from the evolution of established neighbourhoods to the emergence of new residential areas and developments.

Each area has its own character. Some clients want to be close to restaurants, shops, schools and activities. Others prefer a quieter environment, more space or proximity to the sea. Understanding these differences is an important part of finding the right property.

Knowing a region for this long also brings perspective. Lifestyles change, neighbourhoods evolve, and new opportunities emerge. This experience allows the team to look beyond the property itself and consider its surroundings and whether it genuinely corresponds to the client’s expectations.

Villa Vie carefully selects the properties it represents, from villas and apartments to penthouses, beachfront homes, land and new developments. The objective is not simply to build the largest possible portfolio, but to know the properties well and feel comfortable recommending them to the right clients.

Listening Comes First

A property search starts with understanding the client.

What brings them to Mauritius? How do they want to live? What matters to their family? Are they looking for a home, a second residence or an investment?

Taking the time to answer these questions often makes the property search much clearer.

Villa Vie accompanies clients beyond the property visit, with personalised advice, assistance throughout the process and introductions to trusted professionals when required.

The objective is not to push a decision, but to give clients the information and guidance they need to make the right one.

A Family Agency, A Team

While Villa Vie’s story began with Françoise and continued with Sophie, it has also grown through the people who have joined the agency over the years.

Today, the all-women Villa Vie team brings together different areas of experience and knowledge, with the same commitment to listening, transparency and personalised service.

The agency continues to evolve, adopting new tools and strengthening its digital and international presence while remaining close to its clients and to the Mauritian market it knows so well.

Relationships That Last

Perhaps the nicest part of more than 40 years in real estate is seeing clients return.

Some have known Villa Vie since its early years. Others arrive through recommendations, sometimes from one generation to another. Some first discovered the agency through a rental before returning years later with a new property project.

Françoise Maujean often puts it simply:

“Our clients’ loyalty is our greatest achievement.”

Today, Sophie Hardy and the Villa Vie team continue to develop the agency while preserving the family spirit that has been there from the beginning.

Over time, Villa Vie remains focused on what matters most: knowing its market, carefully selecting its properties, listening to its clients, and accompanying each one with honesty and care.

Visit http://www.villa-vie.com/ for more on the award-winning agency.