Au Cap: Plantation History, Craftsmanship and Coast

Au Cap brings together plantation history, craftsmanship and the coast as distinct travel interests. Domaine de Val des Près represents traditional Seychellois ways of life and colonial history. The Takamaka Rum Distillery and the beaches on the east side add further highlights. When planning your trip, consider whether historic architecture, local handicrafts or coastal character matters most to you.

Plantation history at Domaine de Val des Près

Domaine de Val des Près is centred around the Maison de Planteur, the plantation owner's house. The estate includes a traditional kitchen, servants' quarters and other buildings from the colonial period of the 18th and 19th centuries. The plantation house was built around 1870. The estate illustrates traditional Seychellois life in the early history of the Seychelles. For travellers interested in architecture and everyday history, the relationship between the buildings is revealing: the plantation house does not stand alone, but forms part of an estate that also includes a kitchen and servants' quarters.

A covered walkway behind the plantation house leads to the traditional kitchen. There, a wood-burning stove and other objects evoke culinary traditions of the past. These details give the estate a tangible connection to food. Domaine de Val des Près is also home to the traditional Pomme Cannelle restaurant. The kitchen and restaurant offer different perspectives: the kitchen recalls earlier cooking traditions, while the restaurant provides another gastronomic dimension to the estate.

Craftsmanship and other historic sites

Craftsmanship is also part of the Domaine. The twelve craft kiosks feature architectural elements designed and built to complement the appearance of the main plantation house. Local artisans work there, making and selling jewellery, textiles, woodwork and model boats. The kiosks' design is thus connected to the items made and sold there.

Another historic site in Au Cap is La Plaine St. André. It dates back to 1792 and was formerly known as the Eco-Musée. The plantation house at the Domaine, by contrast, was built around 1870. These dates refer to different historic sites and periods: 1792 relates to La Plaine St. André, while around 1870 is when the house was built. The comparison helps ensure that Au Cap's history is not reduced to a single construction date.

Distillery and coast

The Takamaka Rum Distillery in La Plaine St. André offers a different highlight. Aldabra giant tortoises Taka and Maka live on the grounds. The site also has a rum souvenir shop, a food truck and cocktails at the Rum Shack; there are ruins there, too. The rum, tortoises and ruins set this theme apart from the Domaine's history of the house and its craftsmanship.

In an assessment from April 2023, Turtle Bay and Au Cap Beach are described as Au Cap's two best beaches. The beaches on Au Cap's east side are considered shallow, sheltered and warm. Au Cap Beach is opposite La Plaine St. André. This location can help you orient yourself between the beach and La Plaine St. André.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Pointe Au Sel, Baie Sainte Anne, Anse Royale, Mont Fleuri, Grand Anse Mahe, Anse Etoile, Port Glaud, Anse aux Pins.

For the main travel overview: Seychelles.