Anse Etoile: Church and Pilgrimage Tradition on Mahé

Anse Etoile can be understood through its location, religious traditions, and an educational project at the North East Point wetland. The district includes the final four-kilometre stretch of Mahé’s eastern coastline. For travellers who want to explore local history and religious practice as well as the landscape, these topics offer distinct, tangible points of interest.

Church and Pilgrimage Tradition

The new church in Anse Etoile was consecrated by Bishop Maradan on 29 April 1962. Pilgrims come to Anse Etoile to pray to Our Lady of Health; this devotion was introduced by the Indian community. The consecration date provides a precise historical reference point, while the pilgrimage practice reflects a religious tradition. For travellers interested in local religious history, this combination of a dated event and a living devotion offers a tangible point of interest.

An Educational Project at the Wetland

In April 2025, Anse Etoile Primary School opened an outdoor learning area at the North East Point wetland. At the opening, information panels were unveiled to serve as learning tools for people exploring the area. As a second, more recent theme, the project complements the area’s religious history with an educational perspective on the wetland.

Anse Etoile within the Wider Seychelles Destination

The following examples relate to the wider Seychelles destination, not to Anse Etoile itself. They supplement local orientation with other nature and culture topics that may be relevant to a trip within the Seychelles.

The Seychelles’ marine parks can be reached by boat. Port-Launay is also accessible on foot; Ste. Anne Marine Park comprises six islands. On Curieuse, a raised boardwalk runs through the swamp, providing access to the mangrove habitat even at high tide. The mangrove swamp borders Baie Laraie. Alongside this landscape, Curieuse also has a historical dimension: for almost a hundred years, the island was used as a quarantine site for people with leprosy.

On Praslin, the 19.5-hectare Vallée de Mai is one of the world’s smallest natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Praslin National Park has several short paths; Glacis Noire is the only official trail. Thus, different nature-related attractions can be found on the same island: the special status of Vallée de Mai and the trails in the national park.

On La Digue, the Veuve Special Reserve covers 21 hectares and forms part of a 200-hectare plateau on the island’s western side. Reserve staff answer questions and help visitors find the birds. This example adds a practical form of on-site guidance to the region’s nature-related attractions.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: La Gogue, De Quincy, Anse Boileau, Cascade, Plaisance, Au Cap, Mont Buxton, Glacis.

Go to the main travel overview: Seychelles.