Lazare Picault Hotel

Mah? : a jewel in the ocean

by Muya

Among all the little green spots lost in the blue of the maps, Mahé is the largest. Maybe this is the reason why many tourists tend to skip it, considering the capital-island only as a transit lounge, the gateway to some more idyllic island of the archipelago. Of course, it's the most "crowded" one, 90% of the entire Seychelles population lives here (72 200 people, approximately). But for sure, Mahé deserves better then a mere "waiting for a transfer" to La Digue, Praslin or some other coralline island like Desroches. This little beauty on the water has got a lot to offer… Just get to know its inside !

"A bit of history"

When Lazare Picault first discovered Mahé in 1742, he called it the Abundance Island. Two years later, the island was given the name of the French Governor Mahé de la Bourdonnais, who had required this expedition. After being French for a while, the Seychelles fell under British rule, until the independence in1976.
The history of the Seychelles is full of delightful tales and legends about pirates scouring its sees and plundering ships on the route to India. They found in the archipelago safe hideouts for their loot, and today, inhabitants of Mahé still dream about finding the treasure of the famous pirate La Buse somewhere on the island…

"Paradisiac beaches and mountainous paradise"

More than 70 postcard beaches of inalterated beauty, surrounded by granite boulders, where most of the time you are all alone : just you, soft powdersand, and turquoise water... that's not too bad, huh ? Perfect place to admire the abundance of the submarine world around Mahé, its coral and its marvellous colorful fishes. In some spots, you can even admire giant turtles... sometimes a shark or an octupus if you're lucky.
But Mahé isn't restricted to wonderful beaches, the island is also very mountainous. The mount Morne Seychellois is an ideal place for hikers who like lush vegetation and exotic plants and trees. You can climb up to its highest peak, 907 m, there are trails starting at different points of the road. But you can also pass through the National Park by bus and enjoy a ride with the locals, always willing to explain to you what you see from the bus windows…

Seychelles - Paradise on earth

by MikeAtSea

The history of the Seychelles could have come straight out of a story book, a tale of intrepid explorers, fearsome pirates and brutral battles for the islands' bountiful treasures. The first serious exploration took place only 200 years ago, but early navigators, such as the Indonesians and Arabs, probably arrived before this time in search of fresh water and food. The visitors did not leave any physical evidence of their passing, unless it was they who introduced the cauarine tree and the coconut palm.
Vasco da Gama the Portuguese explorer sailed through the Amirantes group in 1503, en route from India, and might also have sighted the granitic islands.
The British made their first appearance on the Seychelles in 1609 when the ships Ascension and Good Hope arrived in Mahe during an expedition for the British East India Company. The French arrived next, in 1742 Lazare Picault landed on Mahe and named the islands after Mahe de Labourdonnais, the governor of Mauritius. 14 years later the islands were formally claimed in the name of the King of France.
At the end of the long revolutionary war Mauritius and the Seychelles were ceded to the Birtish crown and in 1903 Seychelles became a crown colony in its own right.
In March 1975 a new constitution was drawn up and a coalition government established ready for independence in June 1976, when James Mancham became President and Albert Rene Prime Minister.
Seychelles today has a population of about 80.000. Its people are descendent from the original French settlers, their African slaves, the liberated slaves rescued from slavers in the 19th century and some British settlers. The melting pot has been enriched by traders from India and China.
The main language on the islands is Creole, but most people speak English and some French. The Seychelles rich racial blend is reflected in its varied culture and food, hence making it not only a paradise to be visited, but also an exciting cultural destination.

Beau Vallon

by kyoub

This is the most popular beach on Mahe. It is the place to go for watersports. You can rent wind surfers and small cataramans here. You can also paraglide.
Water skiing and the water sausage ride( you sit astride an inflatable tube and are towed behind a speedboat) is available nearby.

Esplanade Fiennes

by globetrott

Esplanade Fiennes is a boulevard dating back to 1919 as a part of Francis rachel Street. It starts at the house of justice and takes you back towards the port, passing along various souvenir-stands and also some interesting colonial houses. In some of these souvenir-stands you will be able to buy a Coco-de-mer, including the certificate that you will need in order to be allowed to export it and also to take it to your own country.
Be careful about sea-shells and corals, most countries in the world will not allow you to import them !!!

The gardens

by kyoub

The Botanical gardens are on the south end of Victoria.
They are recommended for short shady walks among native trees and plants.
Some trees are identified, some are not.
Within the gardens is also a cafeteria, a pen of large turtles, an orchid garden, and a gift shop