Domaine de Val des Près
A craft village set around an old plantation house at Au Cap on Mahé, where local artisans sell their work. A relaxed stop for genuine souvenirs, a little history and a Creole lunch.
A plantation and its craft village
Domaine de Val des Prés, usually just called the Craft Village, gathers a dozen small wooden workshops around a handsome old plantation house at Au Cap on the east coast of Mahé. It is part heritage site, part market for real local craft, and an easy, unhurried place to spend an hour or two.
The huts carry work by Seychellois makers, woodwork, model boats, jewellery, prints, coconut and coral crafts, soaps and spices, which makes this one of the better places on the island to find a souvenir with actual provenance rather than an imported trinket.
History, craft and a Creole table
At the heart of the village the plantation house gives a glimpse of how the island’s landed families once lived, useful context for the crafts sold around it. Wandering between the shaded workshops shows you a slower, more human side of Mahé than the beaches alone.
There is a Creole restaurant on site too, so a visit works well as a mid-day stop. Browse the craft huts, look through the old house, then sit down to a plate of island food before carrying on down the east coast.
Know before you go
| Where | Au Cap, on the east-coast road of Mahé |
| What it is | A craft village around a restored plantation house |
| Good for | Local souvenirs, heritage, a Creole lunch |
| The huts | Woodwork, model boats, jewellery, prints, soaps, spices |
| On site | The plantation house and a Creole restaurant |
| Best time | Late morning, browse then stay for lunch |
What visitors say
★ 4.3 · 595 Google reviews★★★★I recently visited the Domaine de Val des Prés Craft Village, commonly known as the Craft Village in Seychelles, and it was an interesting cultural stop. This heritage site was established to preserve and showcase tradit…
Arjun Rampal Escovar · via Google
★★★★★This was a great stop!! Very historic home was so interesting. And the local crafts were wonderful. I got several Christmas presents!! Everyone was so friendly!!
Diane Roesler Van Buskirk · via Google
★★★★★Craft Village is a charming spot to experience Seychellois culture. The relaxed setting makes it pleasant to walk around, with a nice selection of local handicrafts and souvenirs. Don’t miss the perfumery — the coco de m…
Julija Gvozdenovic · via Google
★★★★★A beautifully set of colonial buildings in a vast area of green land depicting history. There are numerous huts displaying local and regional craft but most of the items of clothing and souvenirs are imported from Far Ea…
Mas · via Google
The Craft Village sits on the east-coast road, an easy stop between the beaches and the rum distillery nearby. Stay on Mahé to weave it into a relaxed day of heritage, craft and coast.
Tours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby La Plaine St André · Takamaka Rum Distillery · Anse Royale
Go late morning and stay for lunch. Browsing the workshops takes an easy hour, and buying straight from the makers means your souvenir actually comes from these islands.
