Anse aux Pins – History and Creole Heritage

Anse aux Pins has a clear focus on history and Creole heritage. This includes the former La Plaine plantation house, the early building phases of St Michael Church, as well as traditional houses and smaller Kaz Kreol. Oral storytelling traditions and visual art also play a role at Lenstiti Kreol. If architectural history and Creole traditions are particularly important to you when choosing a hotel destination, these topics offer a specific point of interest.

History and Architectural Heritage

The former La Plaine plantation house is located in Anse aux Pins. The early history of St Michael Church includes two successive building phases: in 1853, the first church was a temporary beach shelter made of Latanier leaves, with a cross, and named by Father Leon des Avanchers. In 1862, a storm destroyed the first chapel; a second chapel was subsequently built from coral. The temporary beach shelter and the later coral building can therefore be viewed as distinct stages in local church history.

Traditional houses and smaller Kaz Kreol are other forms of architectural heritage in Anse aux Pins. The view of the area’s history thus includes the former plantation house and church history, as well as traditional house styles. Those interested in architecture can consider these topics alongside the chronology of the early church.

Storytelling Traditions and Travel Information

At Lenstiti Kreol, Penda Choppy occasionally accompanied visitors to books, paintings and old lithographs, and explained traditional Sirandanes—riddles from the islands of the Indian Ocean. Here, visual art and oral traditions come together as distinct cultural topics. If you value this kind of guided experience, check in advance whether it will be available during your visit.

Anse aux Pins is associated with a hotel and a golf course. The area’s history and architectural heritage provide a different focus from these two travel-related features: they give the destination a cultural profile that can be understood through specific building styles and traditions.

More Topics in the Wider Seychelles Destination

The wider Seychelles destination offers other distinct nature and culture topics. Moyenne Island in Ste. Anne Marine National Park is home to the remains of early settlers’ houses, pirate graves and a small thatched chapel; the park comprises six islands. Curieuse offers a different focus: a mangrove swamp borders Baie Laraie. A raised walkway runs through the swamp and provides access to the mangrove habitat even at high tide. Curieuse was used as a quarantine site for people with leprosy for almost a hundred years.

The protected areas on La Digue and Praslin also differ in their described features. The Veuve Special Reserve on La Digue covers 21 hectares and is part of a 200-hectare plateau on the western side of the island. At 19.5 hectares, Vallée de Mai on Praslin is among the world’s smallest natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These examples add further landscape and cultural heritage topics to the picture of the Seychelles; the local history of Anse aux Pins remains a distinct focus.

Discover more destinations: Saint Louis, Roche Caïman, Baie Lazare, Les Mamelles, Cascade, Grand Anse Mahe, Baie Sainte Anne, Anse Royale

Go to the wider travel overview: Seychelles.