What to expect
Grann Kaz is a traditional homestead in good condition on the Domaine de Val des Prés. Here you can still feel the simplicity and charm of Creole life at the beginning of the 20th century.
Together with the buildings around it, the house forms a harmonious ensemble of original architectural features.
Grann Kaz has a large living room, a dining room, three bedrooms and a veranda that runs all the way round. The handsome house is sparsely furnished with just a few pieces. Since 2023 a gallery in the house has also shown paintings and crafts by local artists, and everything on display is for sale.
The surrounding buildings make up a craft village, where artists in 12 workshops sell traditional handicrafts and a restaurant serves the fiery delights of Creole cooking. For visitors and locals alike, the place offers a nostalgic glimpse of Creole life in times gone by. The grounds also include Kaz Rosa, a typical 20th-century workers' house, and the Maison de Coco, a house built from coconut products, with gifts all based on the coconut. You can read more about the workshops and shops on the page about the Craft Village.
The Seychelles Heritage Foundation names Pomme Cannelle as the domaine's restaurant. It is best to check in advance whether it is open at the time of your visit.
History of the house
The plantation house was built of wood around 1870 and belonged to the Bailey family, who sold it to the government in 1972. Plans for a craft village as a tourist and cultural centre go back to 1977. Building began in 1985, financed by the United States, and the village opened on 24 October 1988.
Today the domaine is a national heritage site, looked after by the Seychelles Heritage Foundation. The site was extensively renovated in 2017 and 2018.
Getting there
By car
The Domaine de Val des Prés is in Au Cap, about 16 km from Victoria.
From Victoria, take Bois de Rose Avenue south, then the Providence Highway, pass the airport and carry straight on to the East Coast Road. In Au Cap the Domaine de Val des Prés is directly after the Maison Marengo restaurant, on the right-hand side of the road. The drive takes about 25 minutes.
You can park at the roadside opposite Maison Marengo. Parking is not allowed within the Craft Village grounds.
By bus
Karl lists these routes from Victoria:
- Route 2: Les Canelles
- Route 5: Baie Lazare via Takamaka
- Route 6: Baie Lazare via Les Canelles
- Route 9: Port Launay via Les Canelles
The timetables of the state bus company SPTC were changed several times in 2026, most recently in the summer. Check route numbers and departure times in the current timetable at sptc.sc before you travel. Buses run less often at weekends. Tell the driver that you want to get off at the Domaine de Val des Prés.
Opening hours and admission
| Days | Usual hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 9:00 to 16:00, some workshops are listed until 17:00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | usually listed only in the morning until 13:00 |
Duration, best time and tips
As a rule of thumb, allow one to two hours for the house, the workshops and a walk around the grounds. If you want to eat at the restaurant or browse the shops at leisure, plan for more time. The best time to come is in the morning, when it is cooler and the artists are at work in their workshops.
Nearby is Anse Royale, which combines well with a visit. You will find more places to visit in the south and east on the page about Mahé.
