The Seychelles… an Ode to Beauty

We set off to explore La Digue, the smallest island on our itinerary.

In this fragrant land caressed by the sun, we stayed at La Digue Island Lodge, and we must admit that this island was our favourite! Such richness, such wonderful displays of colour, fragrance and sunsets… a waking dream that inspires you to become a poet! It is a peaceful little island which we explored together, discovering sumptuous beaches and superb walking trails along the way. We visited L’Union Estate and its vanilla plantations, encountered giant tortoises and discovered the sublime, unmissable Anse Source d’Argent.

We discovered a succession of little coves, one after another – a feast for the eyes! This island has incredible charm, and its residents live in complete peace and serenity.

The following day, we decided to explore the south-east of the island. After a walk and a tour of the island in one of the hotel’s taxis, we discovered the heights at ‘Belle Vue’, a magical moment when time seemed to stand still. The taxi then dropped us off at Grand Anse.

This large, almost deserted and unspoilt beach, fringed by coconut palms and takamaka trees, was one of my favourites. After enjoying a wonderful buffet lunch at the small local restaurant – truly excellent and very good value for money – we followed a little path through the lush vegetation and arrived at Petite Anse, which is almost the same size as Grand Anse and every bit as beautiful. We continued along the path among coconut palms and wild sugar cane. Hearing the sound of the waves, we knew we were not far away… and then we reached Anse Cocos. This beach is truly heavenly. Beneath our feet, the sand was wonderfully soft, like flour scattered across this land overflowing with marvels. The play of light, the intensity of the colours and those famous granite boulders rising from the turquoise water were extraordinarily beautiful. Never had such an enchanting sight appeared before our eyes, dazzled and captivated by all the splendour this world can hold. This unspoilt natural setting is a true hymn to beauty. We immersed ourselves in the divine ocean and left with our heads spinning with delight.

Praslin is an unusual island, overflowing with charm and mystery.

Our accommodation, Villas de Mer, offers complimentary transfers to Anse Lazio and Côte d'Or, as well as excursions. We chose an excursion to Fond Ferdinand Nature Park with a Creole guide, where we discovered the famous coco de mer palms and the park’s lush vegetation during a walk that also offered views from the heights.

We relaxed beneath the coconut palms – or sheltered from the pouring rain – at Anse Volbert and Anse Lazio, two superb beaches with turquoise waters in the north of the island. On our final day, we went to discover the Black Pearl Gallery and saw how a tiny lustrous pearl begins its life before gradually becoming a voluptuous black treasure…

For the final part of our stay, we chose a small guest house called Villa Caballero, near Anse Royale on Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles. We received a wonderful welcome, and the owners were extremely attentive. Thanks to them, our stay was marvellous.

We joined a ‘tour’ with Creole Travel Services. Accompanied by a local guide, we explored the capital, Victoria, and discovered its many charms. We passed the ‘Big Ben’ clock tower before visiting the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a true architectural gem.

During our free time, we wandered through narrow streets lined with colourful houses and filled with spicy aromas, until we came across a little treasure: the convent and the small Church of St Joseph. We then strolled around together wherever the mood took us and stepped inside the intriguing Hindu temple nestled in the very heart of the city.

Victoria is a dazzling capital with plenty to see. We wandered through the city’s market, alive with countless colours and fragrances. Spices of every kind are sold here, while wonderfully scented fruits seem to beckon you to taste them in the shade of the old stone buildings.

Sadly, it was time to leave the city’s gentle warmth and continue our tour by coach. The excursion took us into the mountains, where we passed vast tea plantations before ending our lovely day at Baie Lazare with a magnificent buffet prepared especially for us. Peace and serenity reigned, as this is a private beach. On the other days, we used the local buses to explore the island and discover its various beaches and little villages.

In the Seychelles, you forget everything… tiredness, stress and the worries of everyday life all fade away, leaving only what truly matters in this earthly existence. We would like to thank everyone we met for their warm welcome and kindness towards us. We will never forget this wonderful journey to paradise and, as Charles Baudelaire wrote in his poem ‘Invitation to the Voyage’: ‘The world falls asleep in a warm glow’…