A covered path behind the plantation house at Domaine de Val des Près leads to the traditional kitchen—a tangible introduction to Au Cap’s history. A wood-fired oven and objects there recall culinary traditions of the past. Here, colonial-era architecture meets a detail of everyday life that extends the character of the estate beyond its main building.

Maison de Planteur: a house and everyday life

Domaine de Val des Près is centred on the Maison de Planteur, the plantation owner’s house. The ensemble includes a traditional kitchen, servants’ quarters and other facilities from the colonial period of the 18th and 19th centuries. The estate illustrates traditional Seychellois life in the early history of Seychelles. The plantation house was built around 1870. This date places the house within the broader colonial-era context conveyed by the other facilities. The estate can therefore be viewed not just as a single historic house, but as a combination of different spaces.

The covered path behind the house leads to the kitchen, with its wood-fired oven and objects that recall culinary traditions of the past. The path and its features offer a different perspective from the architecture of the plantation house: they draw attention to everyday living spaces. Visitors interested in architecture and cultural history will find two connected perspectives on the estate here.

Crafts in architecture that fits

The twelve craft kiosks were designed and built with architectural elements that complement the appearance of the main plantation house. At the same time, they are home to local artisans who make and sell jewellery, textiles, woodwork and model boats. Here, design and craftsmanship go hand in hand: the kiosks echo the estate’s architecture while providing space for a range of crafts. This makes them a discovery in their own right, alongside the history of the plantation house.

Food is also part of the picture at the Domaine. The estate is home to the traditional Pomme Cannelle restaurant. An interactive activity is also associated with Domaine Val de Pres in Au Cap.

A different focus at the Takamaka Rum Distillery

The Takamaka Rum Distillery in La Plaine St. André offers a different focus. Taka and Maka, Aldabra giant tortoises, live on its grounds; ruins are also located there. The distillery includes a rum gift shop, a food truck and cocktails at the Rum Shack. Au Cap therefore brings together different themes: plantation architecture and crafts at Domaine de Val des Près, and rum, tortoises and ruins at the distillery. These two places give visitors a clear sense of what to explore, while telling different stories.

Coastline and beach character

The coast is also part of Au Cap’s appeal. Au Cap Beach lies opposite La Plaine St. André. The beaches on the eastern side of Au Cap are considered shallow, sheltered and warm. An editorial assessment from April 2023 names Turtle Bay and Au Cap Beach as the two best beaches in Au Cap. This assessment is therefore tied to the time it was published; the description of the beaches and the location of Au Cap Beach offer further, independent points of reference.

When choosing a destination, you can weigh up the different highlights: the colonial-era ensemble, crafts, the rum distillery or the coast. Au Cap brings these themes together without any one of them defining the entire description of the place.

Discover more destinations: Pointe Au Sel, Cascade, Beau Vallon, Plaisance, Baie Lazare, Anse Etoile, English River, Mont Fleuri.

For the broader travel overview: Seychelles.