History of Seychelles

History of Seychelles

Discover the heritage and history of Seychelles with our travel tips.

Oh arrr me hearties! If you wish to experience some true pirate history then there is no place like the Seychelles beaches. The islands’ coves were once ideal havens for smugglers and they were the only inhabitants when Europeans discovered them. The French settled in Seychelles in 1770, but then control went to the British during the Napoleonic Wars. 

During this time the population stood at around 7,000 and important crop-producing estates were established. Slaves from Africa and Arab nations were brought to the islands. The whites (known as the Gran’bla or big whites), originating from France, dominated over plantations even after the British prohibited slavery in 1853.

Seychelles gained its independence in 1976, except for a few islands retained under British Indian Ocean Territory, including the US military base of Diego Garcia.

With the country considered one of the least crowded in the world, it is no wonder that Seychelles holidays are exceedingly popular with honeymooners and leisure travelers.