Attractions in Seychelles

Tired of the hustle-bustle of the city lives, humans have a tendency to conjure an ideal getaway – remote islands, crowd-free white sand beaches, azure waters, and verdant peaks. But for those who truly wish to give shape to their dreams, a holiday to Seychelles is something they must be heading for. And to top these beautiful environs, there are myriad places to visit in Seychelles that will ensure a wondrous holiday in this dreamy destination.

ADELAIDE STUDIO
Donald Adelaide has been a professional artist for some 20 years. He comes from Baie Lazare, in southern Mahé, where the sea view and coastlines inspire his paintings. His experience and skills were developed under the guidance of Michael Adams. He works with watercolours and sells both original and print paintings.

ANDREW GEE ARTIST & DESIGNER
Andrew Gee is a successful watercolour artist. Visitors are welcome to his studio to view his original watercolour paintings, silk paintings, textiles and handmade cards. Andrew trained at St. Martin’s School of Art in London then ran his own Fashion Company for many years. In 1993 he came to Seychelles as a fashion and textile instructor at the School of Art & Design. He has a keen interest in culture and heritage and uses his watercolour paintings to record a personal view of the beautiful and changing face of Seychelles.

ARIDE ISLAND NATURE RESERVE
Aride Island, one of the finest jewels in the Indian Ocean, is also one of the world’s most important Nature Reserves. Blessed with a wealth of natural treasures Aride has remained a wild and beautiful paradise. The island was bought as a Nature Reserve in 1973 by Christopher Cadbury, and today is managed by the Island Conservation Society. Aride is home to one million breeding seabirds of ten species, endemic birds such as Magpie Robins, Fodies, Brush Warblers and Blue Pigeon, Endemic Plants like wrights Gardenia and Turtle beaches and rich marine life. No vessels other than those of the reserve are allowed to land on Aride Island. As such visitors will have to disembark from their vessel and board the islands’ boat for transfer onto the island.

BICENTENNIAL MONUMENT
They are plain and simple, three pairs of extended white wings in masonry, standing on the roundabout at the 5th of June and Liberation Avenues. Conspicuous as they are, they invariably leave visitors guessing at the significance of such a graceful piece of geometry. This is the Bicentennial monument, referred to in Creole as the Moniman trwa lezel (three–winged monument). It was erected in 1978 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the town of Victoria, which was founded as L’Établissement du Roi in 1778 by the Frenchman Charles Routier de Romainville. The monument was created by the late Italian artist Lorenzo Appiani, who lived in Seychelles. The three wings represent the origins of the Seychellois people, who can best be described as a happy blend of the ethnic groups of three continents: Africa, Europe, and Asia. The wings may also symbolize the first discoverers of the islands. Birds, of course. (Text taken from the book “Discovering The National Monuments of Seychelles”, and is used by permission from The National Heritage.)

CAMARTS GALLERY
CAMARTS is a gallery and souvenir shop only offering framing and selling original and limited giclee reproductions.

CARREFOUR DES ARTS
Carrefour des Arts, residing in the heart of the Seychelles capital Victoria, features the best of local art and craftwork, with themes drawing extensively on Seychellois traditions, folklore and environment. From illustrations to fabric art, Carrefour des Arts plays host to an array of exciting artistic styles, serving as an outlet for Seychellois creativity while providing visitors with an ideal venue to secure a vivid memento of their island experience. Carrefour des Arts also houses a cafeteria for refreshments and retail outlets for CDs, DVDs, videos and audio tapes produced by Seychellois musicians. An on-site box office sells tickets for local performing arts events and productions. Carrefour des Arts is operated by the National Arts Council of Seychelles for the promotion and direct benefit of local artists.

CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
This imposing Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Catholic Diocese in Seychelles. Constructed on the site where Father Leon of Avanchers built the first vault in March 1851 that was devoted to the Virgin of the immaculate conception, the Cathedral is one of the first churches in Seychelles. The first and only Seychellois Bishop, Felix Paul, who passed away on the 21st November 2001, is buried inside the cathedral in a tomb built in the flooring. The tomb is not visible but its location is marked by a special plaque. The Cathedral has undergone numerous renovations over the years. In 1993-94 it was completely renovated, except for the external walls. The last renovation was completed In 1995 when Seychellois sculptor, Egbert Marday fashioned the tabernacle and the carved doors.

COLBERT NOURRICE STUDIO – GALLERY
Colbert Nourrice is one of the most promising and aspiring young artists currently on the contemporary art scene in Seychelles. A recipient of the third Award in the 5th Biennale of Contemporary Art in 1996, he has received much admiration and media attention for his symbolic paintings based on the cycle of human lives in daily living. Colbert has developed a narrative style of painting using signs, symbols and motifs framed to form a striking tapestry of linear images reminiscent of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

COUSIN ISLAND SPECIAL RESERVE
Cousin Island Special Reserve is a superb example of eco-tourism. As you step off the boat onto Cousin, you know you are about to have a magical encounter with nature. One of the best protected sites for nesting Hawksbill turtles and the highest density of lizards per hectare in the world. Visited by 300,000 nesting seabirds each year and home to five endemic land birds. Cousin boasts the best protected and most diverse fish population of any reserve in the granitic islands. Cousin Island Special Reserve is managed by Nature Seychelles, a local non-profit organisation and the BirdLife partner in Seychelles.

CURIEUSE MARINE NATIONAL PARK
Hues of red and green colour Curieuse Island, the result of the bare red earth of the hillsides intermingling with the unique green flora of an island peppered with coco-de-mer trees, one of the iconic symbols of Seychelles. Most visitors disembark at Baie Laraie to the sight of multitudes of giant hump head parrotfish and giant tortoises lazing near the rangers’ headquarters. The trail from Baie Laraie to Anse José passes through thick mangrove forest and is one of the most breathtaking sites on the island. On the way can be found the ruins of the leper colony, now well blended into the landscape. The Doctor’s House at Anse José, a wonder of Creole colonial architecture, has since been turned into a fascinating museum on whose beach sea turtles still arrive to lay their eggs. A dive at Coral Garden or Pointe Rouge is a MUST as is a snorkelling trip to St. Pierre.

DAUBAN MAUSOLEUM
The Dauban Mausoleum is built in a serene and secluded spot of Silhouette amid luxuriant vegetation of mainly coconut trees. This imposing architecture, a special landmark of the island ranks high among the work of its kind in Seychelles. One of its most distinct features is a set of six proportionally massive columns which are aligned on the façade and on part of the lateral sides. Besides its appealing structure, the mausoleum gives an insight into a series of social and economic aspects highlighting both the status of the Dauban family and the level of economic prosperity of the island at that time. Text credit: National Heritage.

DOMAINE DE VAL DES PRÈS (CRAFT VILLAGE)
Domaine de Val des Près (Craft Village) forms part of the Patrimwann. Experience traditional Creole culture showcased at Domaine de Val des Près. Or, make your own history by getting married, Creole-style on this beautiful property. Domaine de Val des Près consists of five attractions highlighting Creole architecture, arts and craft, and gastronomy: the ‘Gran Kaz’ Plantation House built around 1870; ‘La Kaz Rosa’ a typical 20th century working class home, 12 craft workshops that host local crafts; and finally; the ‘Maison de Coco, a house built of coconut products in which you will find gifts made from all things coconut.

EUSTACHE SARDE’S HOUSE
Predominantly a timber constructed house, it is no doubt one of the real remaining example of its kind in Seychelles. Dating from the early 20th Century, it was constructed with almost geometrical precision and refinement. The house once stood on large masonry pillars, but now rests on a habitable concrete basement. It has façade verandah, with ornamental wooden balusters mansards on its roof providing adequate and habitable attic space. The design has been conceived in such way as to allow natural ventilation. Text credit: National Heritage.

ILE COCOS MARINE NATIONAL PARK
This is the Marine National Park that catches peoples’ attention and makes them long for a holiday in Seychelles. It features on many of the promotional brochures. Ile Cocos Marine National Park is set around 3 small islets in shallow turquoise sea fringed by large expanses of coral reefs that provide the most breathtaking snorkeling experience. Visits to the island can be organized with ground operators and taxi boats on Praslin and La Digue.

ANSE L’AMOUR
Anse l’amour on the west coast of Mahé lies just under half a km from Port Launay. This tiny cove offers commands excellent views of the beach at Port Launay, and also the island of Conception. A unique combination of rock formations and palm trees lend it a character all its own.