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Ste. Anne, the largest island of the Ste. Anne Marine National Park, lies 4km
off the east coast of Mahé and in close proximity to its neighbours,
Cerf Island, Round Island and Moyenne Island. Ste. Anne is home to Seychelles'
newest 6-star resort, Sainte Anne Resort Seychelles, a 78 suite/4 presidential
villa property by Beachcomber that opened there in November 2002.
Ste. Anne was the first island to be settled by the early French settlers and
later was home to a commercial whaling station and World War II gun battery.
History and Culture
Ste. Anne was discovered in 1742 by the famous explorer Lazare Picault and
from 1770 onwards the island was inhabited by navigators and French immigrants
from Ile de France. Here, these early colonists grew rice, cassava, coffee,
corn and vegetables before moving to more convenient abodes on Mahé.
In 1811 the British took over the island, selling it off to private individuals,
one of whom was a corsair, Jean François Hodoul. Over the years the island
has been the base for various enterprises, including a whaling station for British
and American whalers, a supply base for warships and tankers during World War
II and a youth training camp for young Seychellois during 1985.
With the Beachcomber hotel group opening their flagship 6-star resort on Ste.
Anne in November 2002, the island finds itself at the very forefront of Seychelles’
tourism products for the discerning traveller.
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