Domaine de Val des Pres, Historical craft village in Au Cap, Seychelles.
Domaine de Val des Pres is a craft village with five main areas, including a colonial-era plantation house and twelve workshops scattered across the grounds. In the workshops, visitors can watch artisans making souvenirs, furniture, and other items by hand.
The plantation house was built around 1870 and belonged to the Bailey family until 1972, when it passed to the government. Since then, it has served as a place for preserving local craftsmanship.
Artisans work daily in their workshops, demonstrating how traditional items are made using materials found locally. The techniques practiced here reflect the Creole craftsmanship heritage of the islands.
The site is walkable, but the grounds are spread out and can be demanding in hot weather. Wear comfortable shoes and arrive early in the day to experience the artisans at work.
One section of the site features structures made entirely from coconut products, where artisans craft items using only different parts of coconut palms. This shows how creatively local materials can be repurposed.
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