Articles

Plantation House, La Digue

Island :  La Digue         

Type of Attraction :  National Monument
Address :                L'Union Estate, La Digue
Tel :       +248 4 23 42 40
Fax :      +248 4 23 40 05

This attraction forms part of L’Union Estate and is yet another architectural gem among the few plantation houses left in Seychelles. Said to be one of the oldest, the Plantation House is the focal point of L’Union Estate, which originally belonged to the wealthy Hossen family, who came to Seychelles from Mauritius in the 19th century.

It is built in French colonial style, with the ground floor made of timber boarding laid on floor joists. The house has a thatched roof, supported by ridge-poles and rafters probably of capucin or takamaka hard wood, which were commonly used in the early years of the 20th century. The flights of steps on all four sides are an essential feature of a plantation house of this period.

The house was used several years ago for the shooting of the film Goodbye Emmanuelle and is one of the cherished historical souvenirs of Seychelles’ Creole heritage.

Text credit: “National Monuments of Seychelles” by National Heritage.