What to expect
Domaine de Val des Prés (the Craft Village) is part of Patrimwann, the Creole cultural heritage of the Seychelles. Here you can experience traditional Creole culture as it is presented at the Domaine. You can even write your own story by getting married in Creole style in these lovely grounds.
Domaine de Val des Prés has five attractions, which highlight Creole architecture, crafts and food:
- the "Gran Kaz", a plantation house built around 1870,
- "La Kaz Rosa", a typical 20th-century labourer's house,
- 12 craft workshops housing local handicrafts,
- the "Maison de Coco", a house built from coconut products, where you can find souvenirs made entirely from parts of the coconut palm,
- the Vye Marmit restaurant, serving Creole dishes.
The workshops sell batik clothing, jewellery, items made from coconut shells, model ships and paintings by local artists, among other things. The Gran Kaz at the centre is a museum and, for many visitors, the most interesting part of the site. In the restaurant, old kitchen utensils recall the days when everything was cooked in the cast-iron "marmit".
History
The site lies on the land of the former St Roch Estate. The idea of a craft village as a cultural and tourist centre goes back to 1977. Construction began in 1985, funded by the USA, and took almost four years. Today the place is managed by the Seychelles Heritage Foundation. It underwent a thorough renovation between 2017 and 2018.
Getting there
By car
From Victoria, take Bois de Rose Avenue south, then the Providence Highway, pass the airport and carry straight on to the East Coast Road. Domaine de Val des Prés is in Au Cap, just past the Maison Marengo restaurant on the right-hand side of the road. The journey takes about 25 minutes, and the distance from Victoria is around 16 km.
You can park at the roadside opposite Maison Marengo. Parking is not allowed inside the Craft Village grounds.
By bus
So far, the following routes have stopped nearby: Route 2 Les Canelles, Route 5 Baie Lazare via Takamaka, Route 6 Baie Lazare via Les Canelles and Route 9 Port Launay via Les Canelles. Route numbers and timetables change, so check with the bus operator beforehand. All buses on Mahé leave from the bus station in Victoria.
For payment, recent sources report a cashless system using a bus card. Fares are also quoted differently. You can find current prices, visitor passes and timetables at the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation.
Opening times and admission
| Area | Hours (Monday to Friday) |
|---|---|
| Village | 08.00 to 16.00 |
| Crafts shops | 09.00 to 17.00 |
| Gallery on site | Tuesday to Friday 09.00 to 16.30, Saturday 09.00 to 13.00 |
| Restaurant Vye Marmit | 11.00 to 23.00 (not currently confirmed) |
Sources contradict each other on opening times. Some visitor websites give 09.00 to 13.00 on Saturday and Sunday, while others say it is closed on Sunday. Individual workshops are also not always staffed. It is therefore best to plan your visit for a weekday morning. One visitor reports finding the restaurant closed at lunchtime.
Entry to the village is free (as of November 2026). The dish prices previously quoted for the Vye Marmit restaurant, SCR 45 to SCR 190, have not been recently confirmed and are likely to be higher by now. Ask for the menu on site.
Duration, best time and tips
The village is easy to explore on foot, though the paths are spread out. Sun protection and water are sensible on hot days. Many taxi drivers and island tours stop here, so expect tour groups, especially around lunchtime.
When shopping, it is worth looking into several huts. Visitors report very uneven quality and sometimes high prices. Ask whether an item was made on site. Where craftspeople are at work, you can watch the making process first hand.
The Seychelles Heritage Foundation holds events at the Domaine. These include a bazaar with Creole food, usually on the last Saturday of the month, and the Bal Lasemenn dance evening. According to the organiser, courses in traditional cooking and crafts require booking 48 hours in advance, and cost from SCR 700 for half a day and SCR 1500 for a full day (as of November 2026). You should have dates and prices confirmed beforehand. The Foundation's office can be reached on +248 422 52 40.
The beaches of Anse Royale and Anse Forbans are close by. You will find more places to visit on the overview page for Mahé.
