History of Sainte Anne : A living Museum – August 2015

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SPECIAL ISSUE

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• IN THIS SPECIAL ISSUE • PAGES 2-5 | From discovery to colonial rule • PAGE 6 | Whale oil production • PAGE 7 | Island’s fortifications• PAGES 8 & 9 | National Youth Service • PAGES 10 & 11 | Marine Park • PAGE 12 | A petrol depot • PAGE 13 | Building the resort• PAGE 14 | Idyllic surroundings • PAGE 15 | History in the making

The green foliage wrapping the steep hills of Sainte Anne island, has always shrouded features of a unique history which is only revealed today by the

relics scattered over the island. From the first settlers in the seventeenth century to present days, the island has offered itself to a multitude of activities. Actually it was there that the first settlers set up their camps when reaching the shores of Seychelles. With its strategic position in front of Victoria harbour, its good anchorage far from the dangerous reefs and shoals, Sainte Anne island has always witnessed important events in the history of Seychelles.

Over the years, the island has been the site of important plantations, a slave transit area, a whale oil production unit, a world war fuel station, a national defence rampart, a petroleum depot, a youth training centre, a scientific laboratory, a headquarter for marine life monitoring and an internationally recognized resort destination. This is indeed a remarkable history book which is still unfolding its golden pages.

From the skies or from land on Mahé, the island reveals none of its valuable secrets. The visitors must toil their way amongst the thick vegetation to discover the inestimable relics of yesteryears.

Today, while still contributing to the national economy as it has always done, this hidden museum offers a trip down memory lane with an exceptional insight in the history of the country.

The continuous thirst for historical roots is even more evident in our age of marvellous digital innovations. The compilation of this remarkable historical journey is a long-cherished wish of the resort’s management and staff. It will hopefully serve to initiate the thousands of local and foreign visitors to the exciting life that has existed and continues to exist on the island over the centuries.

It will also serve as a reference for all future generations of students in their research. The publication will be available in printed and digital versions in various languages so as to make it accessible to as many readers as possible. It will be distributed both locally and internationally, to ensure the best coverage with versions in Creole, French, German and Italian. This will contribute to widen the scope of discovery and appreciation of the wonderful history of this island.

As it stands majestically in the bay of Victoria harbour, Sainte Anne island still continues to be on the threshold of historical events and will surely continue its exciting journey through ages to come.

A remarkable history

History of Sainte AnneA living museum


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SPECIAL ISSUEHistory of Sainte AnneA living museum

The first settlersSainte Anne was the first island of

Seychelles to be inhabited and it has special significance in the history of the country. Historical records mention that

in 1742 while he was exploring the Indian Ocean, Lazare Picault discovered the Sainte Anne island. Picault was a young officer with the French East India Company and his enterprising spirit coupled with his passion for navigation earned him respect and admiration. So much so, that in 1742 he was requested by the Governor General of Ile de France and Bourbon, Bertrand Francois Mahé de Labourdonnais to seek out the shortest route from Ile de France to India. Picault made another voyage to Seychelles in 1744 where he arrived on the 30th of May in the same ship, ‘Elizabeth’.

Twelve years later, on 26th July, 1756, on Sainte Anne Day, the island was named when Captain Corneille Nicholas Morphey on board the fregate ‘Cerf’, came to take formal possession of Seychelles in the name of Louis XV of France. Morphey was born on the 6th January of 1724 of a French mother and an Irish father. In 1756, at thirty-two years old, he had already undertaken many expeditions for the Compagnie Francaise des Indes.

Morphey was entrusted with a most important mission by the then Governor of Mauritius, René Magon de la Villebague to take possession of the Seychelles. Although the islands, including Sainte Anne, had been discovered by Lazare Picault in 1742, no official claim had yet been made on them. This was at the time of Imperial rivalries when powerful nations like England and France wanted to conquer new territories in order to expand their empires.

At the beginning of August 1770, a ship named ‘Télémaque’ left Mauritius and set sail for Seychelles with on board, 28 men and women led by Francois Charles Brayer Du Barré.

Du Barré arrived in Mauritius in 1770, after serving as administrator of the Royal Military School of Rouen, France. Upon his arrival, he began the construction of three ships, Le Duc de Praslin, Le Télémaque and the Comte de St. Florentin. Inspired by the exciting reports that he had heard from the Marion Dufresne Expedition of 1768 to the Seychelles, he was eager to experience such adventurous explorations of the uninhabited islands and also to exploit the abundance of timber, tortoises and fish that were reported to exist there. Early in August of that same year, he was granted official approval from Governor Desroches and Intendant Pierre Poivre with explicit instructions to create a settlement in an ideal location somewhere in the Seychelles.

So, it was on the 27th August of 1770, that Brayer du Barré arrived on Sainte Anne onboard the Télémaque, accompanied by 15 white men, 7 slaves, 5 Indians and an African woman under the authority of Marie Jean Charles Launay.

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SPECIAL ISSUE History of Sainte AnneA living museum

During the sixty-nine years that Seychelles was under French occupation, many individuals came to the islands for various purposes. Some found themselves

on the shores of Sainte Anne island on official appointments, some, came as immigrants in search of new territories while others found themselves here purely by accident. Perhaps, history has not always been sensitive to their presence here. Still, historians have written about at least some of them and their noble contribution is treasured.

The first attempts at colonising Seychelles were a disaster as there was an acute shortage of many basic items. The arguments and disputes amongst the colonists, contributed to this situation as they did little since their arrival. In 1775, Pierre Hangard, a former soldier of the French East Indies company, took over Sainte Anne island with the agreement of Pierre Poivre, Intendant of Ile de France and Bourbon (Reunion). Hangard started a comprehensive agricultural development programme on island.

He cultivated a variety of food crops, raised sheep, goats and poultry. He also sold tortoises and turtles to visiting ships’ crews in the late 1790’s. During these years of hardship, most of the original settlers left the island and moved to Mahé. Sainte Anne island later became a government property until the British Administration sold it.

During these years, Sainte Anne may also have served as a slave transit area, where men and women were taken from Africa would spend some time before

being sold as slaves. In 1811, Dr Charles Telfair, a surgeon in the British army came to the island and further developed agriculture by cultivating cotton, which was then the country’s most important source of revenue.

Between 1793 and 1813, the French and British battled for control of the country. French bases were blockaded in 1794 and they capitulated. Under the Treaty of Paris of 1814, Seychelles, together with Mauritius, were ceded to Britain.

On 31 August 1903, the archipelago became a crown colony, no longer subordinate to Mauritius. In 1948, the first elections were held, filling four seats on the Legislative Council. A new constitution written in 1966 was promulgated in 1967. Seychelles achieved independence at 12:05 am on 29th June 1976.

Under colonial rule


In 1817, Dr Telfair sold the island of Sainte Anne to the famous corsair Jean-Francois Hodoul who later, himself, sold it to Charles Savy, who moved there with his family. Savy made a living

by supplying ships with agricultural products and soon found a more lucrative business. By the year 1832, the English and American whalers regularly docked on Seychelles coast, which led the Americans to establish a transhipment base on Sainte Anne island.

With the arrival of these new visitors, the Savy family undertook the sale of alcohol to different crews landing on the island, until one day, thirty sailors of the whalers ‘Zephyr’ and ‘Harpooner’ broke into their home, terrorizing women and children. A son of Charles Savy became famous because he was 2m 85 tall and was dubbed the ‘Giant Seychellois’. He died prematurely and his unmarked tomb is in the Bel Air cemetery in Mahé.

The Savy family sold the island to the Lemarchand family in1880. The Lemarchand built a huge colonial house on the island but at the beginning of World War II the British Government bought the island from them and turned it into a military base.

After the war in 1955, Benjamin Jubb, took possession of the island on lease from the government for a period of 50 years. When he died in 1956, he left his estate to his widow and his three children.

A few years later, Phyllis Rayfield, one of the daughters of Benjamin Jubb, settled on the island with her husband. During their stay, they opened a restaurant, known as ‘Beyond the Reef’ or even ‘Bluey’s’.

More recently, Willem and Beatrice Camille, who worked for the Rayfield family, dwelt on Ste Anne for 38 years. The couple left the island in 1998.

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The dwellers


Jean François HodoulDr Telfair sold Sainte Anne island in

1817 to one of the famous French corsair Jean François Hodoul, who arrived in Seychelles in

1791 on his ship ‘Les Deux Soeurs’. He stayed for one year before returning to Ile de France (Mauritius). In 1794 he returned to Seychelles where, on the 9th June 1794, he married a fifteen-year old Reunionaise girl named Marie Corantine Olivette Jorre de St. Jorre. After that, he roved the Indian Ocean attacking British vessels and confiscating their cargoes apparently with official sanction from Ile de France. By the time the British had taken official possession of the Seychelles in 1814, the Corsair had settled down at Chateau Mamelles with his wife and children. He owned a few properties on which he cultivated cacao plantations and he had many boats.

Whatever imputations of moral turpitude that his reputation must have evoked among his fellow citizens, Hodoul must have impressed them with his resoluteness and steadfastness of purpose. To build a careenage in the inner harbour of Mahé at that time must certainly have been a

grandiose scheme and a daunting task. But Hodoul had the earnest desire to achieve his ambitious project – he had brawny robust slaves and boats. So, for many months, the clusters of outcrops of rocks that Captain Corneille Nicholas Morphey must have noticed and steered clear of on the 1st November of 1756 when he brought the Stone of Possession to Mahé, were filled in with rocks and debris. These were dumped, stuffed and crammed into the spaces to form a square of solid ground, a perfect careenage and an islet. And it was there that Hodoul’s boats and many others were brought for careening purposes. During those days sailing vessels navigated by wind.

When Jean François Hodoul passed away on 16th January, 1835, his eldest son Barthelemy took over the control of the ‘Marine Establishment’.

Today in the harbour of Victoria, is ‘Ile Hodoul’, a small islet named in his honour. Legend has it that Hodoul’s treasure is buried on Silhouette Island, northwest of Mahé.

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Whale oil production

After the transhipment base for whaling ships of the 1800s had long stopped its operations, the whaling industry returned to Sainte Anne island in a different shape: the production of

sperm whale oil.

In June 1913, the Norwegian owners of the St-Abbs Whaling Company opened a land plant on the site of the old American station, on the South West tip of the island. The installation consisted of two factories, one for oil and the other for the production of whale guano. Around 2000 barrels of oil were being produced. The sperm whales, were generally caught near Bird and Denis Islands, and towed to a whaling station on Saint Anne.

The company employed Norwegian and Seychellois workers and in 1915 exported their valuable product. After a few false starts, Sainte Anne island developed as a whaling station to catch local whales now no longer present. Grim reminders of those times lay around the island in the form of vast tanks for storing the whale oil and outsize cauldrons in which the unfortunate mammals were boiled. One of the impressive bubbler boilers can still be seen on the island and is considered today as one of the most important relics of the open museum island.

This industry in Seychelles came largely to a close by 1916 due to declining prices for sperm whale oil as well as a result of congestion due to the onset of World War I. The British authorities tried to attract interest of other companies to pursue this production, but high productions costs and the remoteness of the whale-catching seas prevented any continuation of the business.

In 1979, Seychelles independent government made a complete turnaround on this industry by opposing any whaling activity in line with its policy for the protection of species. Seychelles, which was represented at the International Whaling Commission, took the bold step in championing the creation of Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Japan was displeased at Seychelles’ opposition to whaling in the nation’s waters and exerted political pressure while offering an aid package to the nation. However Seychelles maintained its opposition and stood firm by its decision.

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The Second World War gave Sainte Anne yet another crucial national mission, that by ensuring the best frontline

defence of the country. The island was fortified with coastal canons and anti-submarine metal nets over and above the armed sentry.

"The canons were models BL 6-inches MK7 from Vickers, a British manufacturer of military equipment", Jacques Laurens told us. He is an arms specialist who has worked for a French company. Jacques Laurens, who is a regular guest at the resort, quickly became interested in the history of the canons. "Both BL 6-inches MK7 were very active in the military base of Saint Anne Island from 1939 to 1945. They provided coastal defence to protect the Victoria Harbour and the oil refuelling site for the English ships and allies. They were finally decommissioned following a shooting incident," Laurens stated.

After the war, the canons were left abandoned during decades under thick creepers and shrubs. It was only recently that Norbert Couvreur, the General Manager of the resort and some members of his team located the engines. Today, the canons are some of the most admired pieces of historical relics on the island. Locals and visitors make it a must to climb up mountains to find the precious WW11 weapons.

The BL 6 INCH MK7 provided the main coast defence throughout the British Empire, from the early 1900s until the abolition of coast artillery in the 1950s

Joseph Simeon, now 90, was one of the many Seychellois workers who helped to install the canons on the hills of Sainte Anne island. He clearly recalls the works on the foundation and the difficulties encountered at that time. "First, we had to build the roads to move the building materials and the canons across the island and over the mountains. A ship would arrive with its full load of cement, irons bars and other construction materials as well as war equipment. We had to carry all these all the way down from the jetty to the mountain to install the canon", Simeon says. "The canons arrived dismantled in pieces which had to be put together on site as it was so heavy. Once on top of the mountain, we had to prepare the foundation for the canon. This was as high as a house. Then we assembled the canon on top of this cement foundation. We also brought up cement on our shoulders to construct what we called ‘Torchlight’ under the canon, a device used to light up the horizon to check on the enemies". When we finished the job, the canons were operated by the Punjabi army, who were known as ‘Sipay’ at the time. There were about twelve soldiers took over the responsibility of the canons and were always on the lookout for any threats from the ‘enemies’.

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Island’s fortifications


National Youth ServiceIn 1982, the Seychellois government under the leadership of

President France Albert René, decided to build a village on Sainte Anne for the National Youth Services (NYS). The camp on the island was built by NYS students themselves, a job which was considered

part of their curriculum. The first village was officially opened in 1983 by President Albert René himself. This first camp was known as Ste Anne I and situated on the west coast of the island where the present the resort of ‘Sainte Anne Island’ would be built later.

The construction of the Sainte Anne NYS village benefited much from the experience acquired at Port Launay and Cap Ternay sites. More than 300 students were deployed on the construction site. The existing old buildings near the jetty were refurbished and served as offices or houses for the supervisors and responsible officers.

Students arrived by boat from Mahé and spent one week on the island. They were housed in ‘clusters’ which included their rooms, the classroom, the dining room and workshop for practical work. Agriculture, science, languages and political sociology were some of the subjects taught to students during their two-year stay in the village.

In 1984, a second NYS village was built on the east coast of Sainte Anne island. The two villages were finally closed in 1992.

Today, the ruins of many NYS houses and other facilities are still visible on the hiking trail leading to Anse Manon. The ruins have become part of the history of the island. The sites are regularly visited by tourists and locals. It is now part of the valuable heritage which inspires many memories to those who have lived there at a time in their lives.

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Peter James Rosélie was a student at the National Youth Service on Sainte Anne island. Going down memory lane, he talks about his NYS life with nostalgia and still believes in the values he received there.

Peter, tell us about your arrival at the Sainte Anne NYS camp?

After spending four months at Cap Ternay Village, I went to Sainte Anne camp. We went there to work on the construction of the new village. We stayed and slept in huge tents not far from the old whaling oil furnace. During that time, we had no choice than to get enrolled in the National Youth Service (NYS) as there was no other educational system available for youths of our age.

How was the break with the family and friends at that age?

To be frank, we could not be bothered as we were so young. The very first moments I reached the village, it was like joining my new family. In fact as soon as we boarded the bus the new family build-up really started. Actually, I met the same friends who were all my school mates.

What was the educational program like?

Quite ok I must say. NYS was the survival world. If you wanted to learn, we needed our own self to push through. The weakness of the system was that there were no supervision and mentoring, we were on our own with our studies after class. But we grouped together to make studying fun.

What were the main activities?

We had many activities in sports and leisure. We also had an initiation to various cultural activities. We needed to cook our own food, wash our own clothes and many daily duties. We also did some hiking, surveying and mapping the island. This heavy schedule kept us busy all the time. But the atmosphere was fantastic with a great spirit of ‘camaraderie’.

How were the tutors? How was the discipline?

Discipline was the main rule in the camp and that has really moulded me to become a self-disciplinarian. We did not need supervision to be disciplined. Our tutor was over-disciplined and so whenever he was on leave, we were considered the worst cluster. But there was fun too. I can remember the times when I was designated to be the cook of my cluster. The student who was called to do that job was so bad at it that the supervisor asked me to take over. So, I was the cook preparing food for all my fellow students. But every Thursday I would have used all the ingredients allocated to us for the week and I had to borrow from other clusters. I succeeded in persuading the supervisor to hand over the store keys to me and from then on I was a powerful figure in my cluster! These moments of fellowship are still vivid in my mind and I cherish them very much.

How did this period at the NYS shape your future life?

NYS made me who I am today. I can survive the odds and I am self-disciplined. I can tackle any job on my own without supervision. NYS turned me into a leader, an effective leader I would say. I have the ability to leading both on the frontline and at the back of the house.

Have you kept some friends dearly since your student’s time?

Absolutely! I was actively involved into setting up the NYS Seychelles Association. We wanted to regroup everyone who went through the NYS. We meet on a monthly basis for an activity. We even participated in the Victoria Carnival.

Peter James Rosélie«We needed to cook our own food, wash our clothes…»

National Youth Service

History will recall that the National Youth Service was actually an experiment in socialist education which was either staunchly supported or vehemently criticized.

The National Youth Service (NYS) was meant to be the most significant expression of the then national leaders to transform Seychelles from a society divided by class, race and gender and heavily dependent on multinational capital to one where the principles and practice of socialist self-determination permeate all spheres of daily life.

NYS participation was a requirement for getting a government job or for entering higher education at the Polytechnic School for vocational training. The NYS villages were located on Sainte Anne island and at Port Launay and Cap Ternay on Mahé. The village was made up of houses or dormitories which were known as ‘clusters’ where the students lived. The village was divided in two sections, with male-only clusters separated from female-only clusters. There were nine boys’ clusters and similarly there were nine girls’ clusters with each cluster housing approximately 40 students. Education and other activities were mixed and students wore special brown and beige uniforms with red scarves. In addition to academic training, the students received practical instruction in gardening, cooking, housekeeping, and livestock rearing. One of the aims of the program as enunciated by the authorities was to reduce youth unemployment. Initially, the students were expected to grow their own vegetables and cook their own meals.

In 1991, the NYS program was reduced from two years to one year. The total enrolment in that year was 1,394, with roughly equal numbers of boys and girls. The programme ceased in November 1998.

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Marine ParkThe Sainte Anne Marine National

Park is an important part of the natural and cultural heritage of Seychelles. The island of Sainte

Anne has always been in the forefront of the supervision of the marine park.

Sainte Anne and its neighbouring islands were declared marine parks in 1973. It was one of the first protected marine zones in the Indian Ocean. This park covers an area of 14.53 km2. It houses more than 150 species of fish and today it is a sanctuary for sea turtles. Fishing, collecting coral and the motorized sports are strictly prohibited within the perimeter. It is with that focus in mind that the government decided to create the marine park in the gorgeous waters of Sainte Anne in 1973. Today these waters are the habitat of fascinating marine wildlife composed of corals and hundreds of species of fish. It is a real marvel for scuba divers.

Sainte Anne Marine National Park lies about 5 km from Victoria, the capital city of the Seychelles, and encompasses six small islands: Sainte Anne, Cerf, Cachée, Round, Moyenne and Long. Fishing and water-skiing are forbidden in the marine park. Today it is known as one of the prime tourist locations in the Indian Ocean for scuba-diving, glass-bottom boat excursions and snorkelling among the coral reefs. It also has one of the largest areas of ‘sea grass meadows’ in the Seychelles. Bottlenose Dolphins also frequent the park.

In 1993, the headquarters for the Rangers of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park was inaugurated. The complex had several new offices, but mostly, it was the old buildings of the National Youth Service which were renovated. This new entity was mainly used to train local Park Rangers. The training was done in collaboration with the US Peace Corps, the International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP) and Durrell Institute of Conservation. The objective was to train at least thirty Park Rangers each year.

It was in 1997 that the island became the headquarters of the ‘Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU)’ of the Programme of the Seas Southern Africa. This project, sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was established to coordinate all actions related to environmental protection.

In 1998, Royal Geographical Society installed its Headquarters on the island of Sainte Anne for its project: ‘Shoals of Capricorn Program.’ For over two years, the island accommodated the laboratories and offices for some 200 visiting scientists from 21 countries who came in groups of 20 to 30 at a time. The ‘Shoals of Capricorn Program’ was a marine science research and education

programme to investigate the remote Mascerene Plateau in the western Indian Ocean, and develop knowledge and skills for the management and protection of its resources.

The overall aim of the Shoals of Capricorn Programme was to conduct an investigative, multi-disciplinary study of the marine environment of the Mascarene Plateau, ensuring that the research was of value to the host nations. Equally important, were education and training, to ensure that skills and knowledge were passed on to assist the long term continuity of research and marine management in the region. Over 300 Seychellois from both government and non-government sectors, were trained in scientific, practical and marine safety skills, and were afterwards in a much stronger position to support marine research in the region.

Today, Sainte Anne island, is still heavily involved in the upkeep of the marine park in very close collaboration with the authorities.

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Marine ParkLindsay Chong Seng graduated

from the Aberystwyth University College of Wales with a biology degree and has a joint honours

degree in zoology and botany. He worked for 10 years as a Conservation Officer in the Seychelles where he was in charge of all the National Parks and Nature Reserves. He then changed his focus to tourism and worked as Manager of Culture and Environment and spent some time as the Director of Tourism Services. Lindsay’s speciality is biology and he is one of the leading experts on the natural history of the Seychelles. Lindsay Chong Seng relates the first days when the project of the marine park was being contemplated.

"In 1970 John Procter was seconded to Seychelles by the British Ministry of Overseas Development (ODM) to advise on nature conservation and the establishment of national parks and reserves. Following Procter’s report, the Seychelles government published a White Paper in 1971 was set out by the government of Seychelles policy on conservation matters. Subsequently in 1973, keen to make Seychelles the conservation showpiece of the world, the Seychelles Government decided to decree the area of Sainte Anne as a national marine park."

Lindsay Chong Seng remembers clearly the time when the decision was implemented. "Many boundary buoys were placed in the park. There was a quite a tug-of-war between the fishermen and the authorities at the beginning. We had to constantly and actively promote the ‘rapprochement’ with the neighbouring community. Permits were allocated with quota for fishing and over the years, we managed to get our message through and it remains one of our best achievements to date. Now, in hindsight, I can say I am so happy and proud that this wonderful idea of creating the marine park is still anchored in the community despite some few cases of poaching. I believe that the project of the marine park makes sense after so many years and it is refreshing to realise that it was the first one in this region of the world and that it still exists."

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Lindsay Chong Seng «Sainte Anne marine park was the first one in this region of the world...»


At the outbreak of World War II, the British government bought the island of Sainte Anne from the Lemarchand family and turned it

into a military base. The island was used as an oil supply base for the British and allies’ ships. During the North-East wind season, the east coast of the island was used for refuelling, while in the South West wind season, the west coast of the island was privileged.

Joseph Simeon clearly remembers when he was working at the base. "Sainte Anne had a small jetty at the time and it was equipped with a petrol pump. Seaplanes would land near the shore for refuelling. There could have been three to four planes in a day which came for refuelling. The petrol came in a container of about four 6-litre metal cans and one plane would take about 200 of those cans at a time. We mainly refuelled the Catalina type aircraft."

The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. The Catalina was later improved to become an amphibious aircraft. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. The Catalina was served in every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other nations.

During World War II, PBYs were used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, convoy escorts, search and rescue missions - especially air-sea rescue - and cargo transport. The PBY was the most numerous aircraft of its kind and the last active military PBYs were not retired from service until the 1980s. In 2014, nearly 80 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as a water bomber or air tanker in aerial fire fighting operations all over the world.

The aircraft was the most extensively used as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft in both the Atlantic and Pacific war theatres of World War II, and were also present in the Indian Ocean, flying from the Seychelles and from Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon.

In the 80s, The Seychelles Petroleum Company used the two existing tanks for the storage of petroleum products but these were later emptied and finally dismantled when the construction of the resort started at the beginning of the 21st century.

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A petrol depot


After having significantly helped the country in the defence, environment, social, procurement sectors, Sainte

Anne was to embark on another major mission at the turn of the century. The island was called upon to contribute to the tourism industry, the leading economic activity in Seychelles. The island was set to host one of the most beautiful and popular resort of the country when the Beachcomber Group decided to build and operate a hotel in Seychelles.

In March 2000, Herbert Couacaud, the then CEO of the group led a site visit on the island accompanied by his colleagues Cello Masson, the architects Mico Giraud and Denis Lenferna, Patrick Harel of the engineering company Sigma. One year later, construction works started under the supervision of a team from Beachcomber. Dominique Hardy who monitored the project from start to finish still has some clear memories of this job.

“We first arrived on the island with Mathieu Rivet together with the decorators Patricia Espitalier-Noël and Sébastien Rogers. In September, the first two rooms were ready for showcasing to tour operators and travel agents. We later received the support of Sylvain Mussard in our daily assignments. I must say that Patrick Harel of Sigma helped us a lot with his contacts at various levels in Seychelles. We also worked closely with local architect Harry Tirant and structural engineer Felix Morel. The construction itself was a huge challenge as we had to import all raw materials transported from Mauritius and some other countries to Mahé and then by barges to the island. We also had to abide to very strict construction regulations as regards the environment. I must say that the authorities at the Planning, Environment, Planning and Habitat were of great support as they were competent in their approach and always ready to assist under any circumstances. It was a fantastic experience for me. I appreciated the expertise of the builders Laxmanbhai & Co (Seychelles). I had to shuttle between Mauritius and Seychelles each week. When the first employees landed on the resort in September 2002, I felt very emotional and I then realized that what we were building would henceforth be a lively and productive site contributing to the country’s wealth. The resort was at last alive! The hotel finally opened to the guests on November 1, 2002 with Kris Seeboo as the first General Manager.”

Building the resort

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Denise Bouzin was one of these first few employees that arrived on the nearly completed construction site

in September 2002. She was recruited as a laundry maid but soon found that with the opening of such a resort, the daily work was far more than the initial job description. "When I first set foot on the island, the pathways were not yet finished, the landscaping was just

taking shape. It was a real construction site! I started to get used to this environment. With my colleagues, we washed all the amenities and we made sure that all the rooms were ready to welcome the first guests. I also experienced the joy of working with colleagues from different countries. We had to undergo a comprehensive training program but we did everything with a smile despite the hard conditions. Today, I am still working at the resort, feeling proud that we are contributing to the national economy."


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Guests are accommodated in 87 private villas, 29 of which have private pools. All are set on a 220-hectare private island. The island is located in idyllic

surroundings, in the middle of the unique marine park and close to Mahé, the main island, within a 10-minute boat ride. Over 1.5 km of sandy beautiful beaches on three sites are available with at least two of them protected from prevailing winds all year round. The resort offers a sanctuary of natural flora and fauna and a stunning underwater world which is ideal for snorkelling. One of the marvellous attractions is the traditional nestling ground for sea turtles. Trekking paths have been designed to explore and discover the various facets of the island which include historical relics and botanical endemic species with the strict respect of the natural surroundings. Guests have a choice of four restaurants with each offering a different setting and atmosphere with local cuisine made from a variety of home-grown products and fresh seafood.

The resort is a showcase for intricate detailing, especially in all the wooden trims in the villas - no matter whether it is the high end Royal Villa or the economy Garden Villa. These details include skylights, intricately slatted doors and expansive wooden floors. Almost all the villas have their personal 4-way horizon pool, a master piece in precise construction enabling the water to cascade over all four sides simultaneously and evenly. A large pool area with waterfalls and ponds in elaborate marble combinations show expert workmanship to advantage. Another impressive display of timberwork can also been seen at the Robinson Crusoe Restaurant, which has been skilfully built to appear as if roughly constructed, where in reality it is a complex arrangement which blends into its surrounds

Idyllic surroundings


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSEYCHELLES HERITAGE FUND

Maxwell JulieAselma PilateTony Mathiot

SAINTE ANNE ISLANDNorbert Couvreur

Govinden AnasamyCharles SimeonDebra EsparonDenise Bouzin

SOURCESSeychelles National ArchivesMinistry of Tourism & Culture

Seychelles NationJoseph Simeon

Lindsay Chong SengDominique Hardy

The task to update the history of the island was long overdue. We are pleased that in this year 2015, we were able to realize this project which was being considered

for some time. The island of Sainte Anne has this unique characteristic to be a wonderful place due to the generosity of its flora & fauna and also because of its very eventful history.

The updating of the historical course of this island had become necessary with the growing interest among customers and hotel employees, business partners, the many local visitors amongst whom are many students from all levels.

It is in this pedagogical perspective that the project of this special publication of Sainte Anne Insight was materialized. We believe it is our social responsibility to offer such a document to the community. It will stand as a testimony a time long after the departure of present members of management and employees of the resort.

It is also important to encourage every foreign visitor who stays at the hotel to be aware of this exciting and surprising historical journey. After the visit of the island, any visitor will obtain a reference document that will be carried in the luggage to better showcase this island and the destination in many parts of the world. This document will be published in French, German and Italian to ensure this wider readership.

Simultaneously, we keep relating the present history of the island with the regular publication of Sainte Anne Insight. This account of contemporary life at the hotel and on the island is yet historical evidence that will remain for decades as a photography of our present time.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed in one way or another to this publication and in particular the Seychelles Heritage Foundation (SHF). This organisation has actively assisted us since the start and we are proud to have partnered with the SHF for this project.

Norbert Couvreur General Manager,

Sainte Anne Island

I N S I G H TN E W S L E T T E R O F S a i N T E a N N E R E S O R T & S p a - J U L Y 2 0 1 4

INSIGHT un an déjà

Norbert Couvreur General Manager

Mes chers collègues,

Déjà un an depuis que nous avons eu la première édition d’INSIGHT en main ! Nous sommes tous fiers aujourd’hui

de cette réalisation et nous l’avons adoptée comme un outil essentiel pour nous connaître, nous découvrir et nous ouvrir aux autres.

Au fil des douze derniers mois, nous avons raconté de très belles histoires ; nous avons partagé nos joies, nos réalisations, nos initiatives et nos réussites avec tous nos collègues, nos amis et partenaires tant aux Seychelles qu’à l’étranger.

Nous avons aussi pris un plaisir immense à écouter nos clients racontant leur belle expérience de séjours chez nous. Cela est gratifiant pour nos efforts et encourageant pour travailler toujours plus assidûment à remplir notre mission.

Dans ce même élan, nous nous sommes davantage rapprochés de notre communauté avec un sens aigu de notre responsabilité sociale. Nous ne pouvons qu’être fiers de ces réalisations qui ont été largement rapportées et commentées dans INSIGHT.

Aujourd’hui, INSIGHT fait partie intégrante de notre vie à Sainte Anne Resort. Notre journal a même conquis nos parents et nos amis aux Seychelles et à travers le monde.

Un an après, nous avons aussi relooké notre présentation pour la rendre encore plus vivante et attrayante. C’est une façon pour nous d’évoluer vers une plus grande qualité du contenu et du graphisme.

Je vous suis reconnaissant d’avoir participé, d’une façon ou d’une autre, à cette belle œuvre et je suis persuadé que vous continuerez à apporter votre soutien à ce témoin de notre histoire commune.

«J’ai totalement coupé pendant dix jours aux Seychelles. Plongée, plage, soleil, c’était indispensable parce que cela faisait trois ans que j’étais sur

le pont en vue des Jeux olympiques ; que je n’ai jamais relâché la pression.» Le triple médaillé en biathlon aux derniers Jeux olympiques d'hiver à Sotchi ne pouvait pas mieux décrire aux journalistes français son récent séjour à Sainte Anne Resort. Pour lui, cette escapade loin des compétitions était tout simplement fastueuse et lui a permis de reprendre toutes ses forces avant d’entamer une nouvelle saison.

Martin Fourcade se promenait dans l’hôtel avec bonheur, profitant au maximum du soleil et de la mer. Grand et élancé, son talent extraordinaire n’a d’égal que sa gentillesse envers tout le personnel. Sobre et réservé, il a surtout voulu décompresser, oubliant pour quelques jours toute cette concentration qui permet aux seuls très grands champions de réussir. Il a aussi voulu s’éloigner des sollicitations ou autres réceptions qui suivent de tels exploits. INSIGHT a quand même voulu le rencontrer pour quelques minutes sans trop le déranger dans son farniente et, comme tout champion exceptionnel, il a bienveillamment accepté de revenir sur son parcours.

«C’est la première fois que j’ai le temps pour réfléchir à ces victoires et je le fais durant ces vacances à Sainte Anne Resort ! C’est beaucoup de fierté et de bonheur pour moi, ces victoires. C’est l’aboutissement d’un travail énorme effectué depuis que je suis gosse. Je revis ici ces émotions qu’on ne connaît qu’une fois dans sa vie et le cadre s’y prête bien.»

Martin revoit ainsi sa région des Pyrénées-Orientales en France où il a débuté dans le

biathlon quand il n’était qu’un enfant. Ce sport lui prend 11 mois de l’année dans plusieurs pays du monde.

« C’est beaucoup de rigueur. On n’arrive pas au sommet sans des efforts intenses et des sacrifices. Il faut toujours être a son meilleur niveau dans ce sport. En biathlon, on doit gérer l’effort et la précision. On passe de 180 à 130 pulsations par minute en quelques secondes après la course pour effectuer les épreuves de tir. »

Le champion olympique se dit heureux d’avoir choisi l’hôtel pour venir se ressourcer avant une autre saison. «J’ai passé de superbes vacances ici. C’est un lieu paradisiaque. Je ne connaissais pas le pays que j’ai découvert avec bonheur. Autant les Seychelles est un pays fantastique, autant Sainte Anne Resort est un site exceptionnellement préservé et reposant. J’en garderai un excellent souvenir.»

Martin Fourcade est reparti avec beaucoup d’objectifs de victoires en tête aux Championnats du monde et dans d’autres compétitions. A l’hôtel, on suivra ses nouveaux exploits…

Visite d’un champion exceptionnel

Martin Fourcade

Lors de séjour aux Seychelles, Martin Fourcade a été invité par le ministre du Tourisme et de la Culture, Alain St Ange. Une rencontre fort sympathique durant laquelle le Ministre a tenu à féliciter le champion et à lui témoigner l’amitié et l’admiration du peuple seychellois. Martin Fourcade a aussi été invité par le Seychelles Tourism Board à visiter Praslin et la Digue. Il a été émerveillé par la richesse à la fois culturelle et naturelle de ces îles.

PALMARÈSMartin Fourcade a déjà un palmarès impressionnant. Il s’agit incontestablement d’un des cinq palmarès les plus brillants de l’histoire du biathlon moderne masculin.

de Leader de la Coupe du Monde

• IN THIS ISSUE • PAGE 2 | Community | Sainte Anne Resort in Carnival mood• PAGE 3 | News | Travay Fleksib :

Proze in vinn en realite dan Sainte Anne Resort • PAGE 4 & 5 |People | Rewarding hard work | Sport extravaganza

• PAGE 6 & 7 | Partenaire d’une louable initiative• PAGE 8 | Guests | Annie Marquestaut : « C’est un peu ma maison ici ! »

• PAGE 9 | Exposure | Showcasing at ATM in Dubai • PAGE 10 | Green Corner | Un sympathique visiteur de la Scandinavie

• PAGE 11 | Airline News | Air Seychelles launches Paris flights • PAGE 12 |We're in the News

I N S I G H TN E W S L E T T E R O F S A I N T E A N N E I S L A N D - A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Pool refurbishmentWorks have been performed on all the pools and ponds, namely the main swimming pool, reception and restaurant ponds, the SPA pool along with a few dozen villa pools. David Gappy, Maintenance Manager at Sainte Anne Island who has supervised the project, gave some details to INSIGHT. «We have replaced all the electrical panels, the pool lighting devices. We also made sure to replace the damaged tiles and grouts and upgraded the entire chemical dosing systems.»

This upgrading of the pools and ponds now allows the resort to save water and helps protect the environment by reducing the amount of chemicals required to maintain them. «Some of the alterations in the new installations will also prevent damage to critical electrical and mechanical parts that have in the past been aff ected during days of heavy rains. We also expect the facilities to be in a better state for our guests who will no doubt be the fi rst to feel and appreciate the benefi ts of these works. It goes without saying that our pool maintenance team will soon be presented with a much easier set of tools and equipment to maintain these facilities better than before,» David Gappy added.

Boiler tanks and piping upgradeOver the years, many of the steel pipes of the resort’s domestic cold & hot water distribution network had reached their lifetime. This has prompted Management to also replace the two hot water storage tanks with new steel equipments.

David Gappy: «On this project, some of the

maintenance staff also volunteered and supported the System Building team as they worked all through the night on two diff erent occasions to move the heavy tanks in and out of the plant room. This special moment of close collaboration will no doubt be etched in the memory of all who took part in this delicate operation and, as we say in Creole – “travay ti la!” Here too, the huge investment now off ers a more comfortable stay to guests as they get the cleanest water the island can provide.»

Villa air conditioning & sensorWear and tear have, over the years, had the better of some of the villa air conditioning equipment’s fan coil, a crucial component to allow our guests to have a cool night sleep. «It must be noted that these are also some of

the big energy consumers in the resort and a source of energy wastage if they are not properly monitored or left on while rooms are unoccupied. It was therefore a great initiative to choose eco-friendly thermostats to fi t in this project. Some of the benefi ts will include air conditioning sensors in rooms and this system will also wait for doors to close before the air conditioner starts operating, thus preventing energy waste.»

The resort expects to make considerable savings in the coming months with these newly introduced technologies. Sainte Anne Island keeps pace with its policy to improve its eco-friendly operations while providing maximum comfort and top quality facilities to its guests. This is the continuous challenge that the resort imposes upon itself at all times.

Product upgrade

• IN THIS ISSUE • PAGE 2 | COMMUNITY | Formation professionnelle • PAGE 3 | NEWS | Sainte Anne Island features

in SBC TV «Knock-Out» • PAGE 4 & 5 |PEOPLE | «New responsibilities are thrilling»| Celebrating Seychelles • PAGE 6 & 7 |

GUESTS | Never change a winning destination! | Dream destination report • PAGE 8 | EVENT | World Cup frenzy • PAGE 9 |

EXPOSURE | Les Escapades Seychelloises 2014 • PAGE 10 | GREEN CORNER | Setting-up a botanical nursery with Roland Nolin

• PAGE 11 | AIR NEWS| Air Seychelles returns to Paris • PAGE 12 |We're in the News

Important works have been carried out during these past weeks to upgrade and maintain strategic facilities at the resort. These refurbishment jobs have mobilized team members of the Maintenance Department. Precious support was also received from contracted companies such as System Building and Watertech as well as the Beachcomber technical team.

I N S I G H TN E W S L E T T E R O F S A I N T E A N N E I S L A N D - O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4

The setting up of an audiovisual room at Anse-aux-Pins Primary School brought smiles on the faces of the hundreds of pupils and their teachers

on Thursday 17th August last. This initiative of Sainte Anne Island is in line with its policy to support youth development and education in Seychelles. It also forms part of the overall sustainable program of Beachcomber Hotels to empower young people in their education.

The bright idea was initially shared by the resort’s Financial Controller, Kevin Vadamootoo, with his colleagues and the implementation was soon ongoing. Immediately, the resort’s team members started working closely with the management of Anse-aux-Pins Primary School to set up this audiovisual facility, which will also serve as a recreational area for some 500 pupils attending the school.

The new audiovisual room is housed in a converted classroom and the project involved cleaning and painting, the supply of curtains, carpet fl ooring and furniture, the installation of a new 50” LED TV set as well as an audio system equipped with DVD/CD player and educational games. These new tools will contribute to the pupils’ individual development and will allow teamwork on small projects with video footage on fundamental civic values. The Headmistress, Kathleen Samson, expressed her gratitude to Sainte Anne Island. «The resort has always shown great interest in the development of our pupils. I can still recall the time when our teachers had to use only chalk and talk but now new technologies contribute in a better way to support the curriculum,» she said. «It gives a new dimension to our pedagogical methods, which blend practical work and leisure. This is an investment in a good cause and it will surely

benefit our pupils. This facility will impact positively on their behaviour and will empower them to be active learners.»

«We have a staunch belief in the promotion of the warmest relations with our community neighbours. It is a policy deeply embedded in our quest for upgrading competence, developing talents amongst young Seychellois and off ering aid to the most vulnerable. We shall pursue our actions in all the ways we can in the future for the ultimate benefi t of our social partners,» added the resort’s General Manager, Norbert Couvreur.

A ceremony was organized on 17th August to celebrate the opening of this new facility at the school. Mrs Mac Suzy Mondon, Minister for Education, Dr Rolph Payet, Minister for Environment and Energy, Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, members of the National Assembly and offi cials from the District Administration joined the school staff and pupils for the occasion. The pupils put up a nice show with songs to express their joy and off ered some gifts to the guests. Minister Mac Suzy Mondon said that project is very encouraging and is a vivid example of what private and public sector partnership can achieve.

Kevin Vadamootoo, Financial Controller of Sainte Anne Resort, told the guests that he was very happy to see this project completed. «We are very close to this school as our staff residence is not far away. Many of our children are pupils here and it is most fi tting to be able to be an active partner of this school. We are proud that this humble contribution will help our young friends in their studies.»

For the teachers, the setting up of this audiovisual room is most welcome. Sheila Volcère, the school librarian, was enthusiastic about it. «We were yearning for such a facility. We wanted to organize activities but we did not have the required tools.»

As part of Sainte Anne Island’s long-term commitment to supporting youth development

and educational projects in Seychelles, some pupils from Anse-aux-Pins Primary School also received their fi rst introduction to golf by an international coach in February this year. Moreover, the resort welcomes groups of schoolchildren and students on a regular basis for study visits to discover the island’s fauna and fl ora.

• IN THIS ISSUE • PAGE 2 | COMMUNITY | SBC at Sainte Anne Island • PAGE 3 | NEWS | Green cleaning • PAGE 4 & 5

|PEOPLE | A life-changing job| Nos amis de la Réunion • PAGE 6 & 7 | GUESTS | Ils avaient promis de revenir ! | Popular destination

• PAGE 8 | Beachcomber Aventure • PAGE 9 | EXPOSURE | Touring South Africa • PAGE 10 | GREEN CORNER | Research on insects

started on Ste Anne • PAGE 11 | AIR NEWS| New Airbus for Air Seychelles • PAGE 12 |We're in the News

benefit our pupils. This facility will impact positively on their behaviour and will empower

«We have a staunch belief in the promotion of the warmest relations with our community neighbours. It is a policy deeply embedded in our quest for

The setting up of an audiovisual room benefit our pupils. This facility will impact benefit our pupils. This facility will impact

Investment in a good cause

upgrading competence, developing talents amongst young Seychellois and off ering aid to the most vulnerable. We shall pursue our actions in all the ways we can in the future for the ultimate benefi t of our social

» added the resort’s General

A ceremony was organized on August to celebrate the opening of

this new facility at the school. Mrs Mac Suzy Mondon, Minister for Education, Dr Rolph Payet, Minister for Environment and Energy, Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, members of the National Assembly and offi cials from the District Administration joined the school staff and pupils for the

upgrading competence, developing talents amongst young Seychellois and off ering aid to the most vulnerable. We shall pursue our actions

I N S I G H TN E W S L E T T E R O F S A I N T E A N N E I S L A N D - D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

• IN THIS ISSUE • PAGE 2 | COMMUNITY | Training : New partnership with Belgium • PAGE 3 | NEWS | Oman Minister’s

visit • PAGE 4 & 5 |PEOPLE | Marcel Antat: water is my business| Raoul René Payet: the quiet strength • PAGE 6 & 7 |

GUESTS | Bishop of Dover visits the resort | Meeting Stéphane de Groodt, actor and writer • PAGE 8 | Festival Kreol at the

resort• PAGE 9 | EXPOSURE | Visiting the Italian market • PAGE 10 | GREEN CORNER | Light Up Sainte Anne Island • PAGE 11

| AIR NEWS| Improved connectivity between Seychelles and Mauritius • PAGE 12 |We're in the News

Huge success for the «Beachcomber Aventure»The French Sales Challenge has been

a large success since its official launching at the IFTM Top Resa Tourism Trade fair in Paris in October

last. Travel agents from France have been fighting to get into TV host Denis Brogniart’s challenge at Sainte Anne Island in the Seychelles. “The participation has exceeded by far our initial expectations. We believe that this will constitute a major boost to our efforts to increase the resort’s market share in France but it will also help the destination to regain some lost ground on this market,” Norbert Couvreur, the resort’s General Manager, stated to INSIGHT. “This will project the resort and Seychelles in the medias’ limelight for days in France. Many journalists have already expressed their interest in the coverage of this

event. Denis Brogniart himself is a very popular figure in France with his widely followed adventure programme Koh Lanta. Denis will be hosting the challenge event in Seychelles using Sainte Anne Island as his base.”

During the launching on the Seychelles stand at Top Resa, Denis Brogniart and Thierry Graff, the Executive Producer of the TV Programme Koh Lanta, Survivor of France, were present together with representatives of the Seychelles tourism authorities.

When addressing the French press and the tourism industry professionals present at the Seychelles Stand in Paris, Norbert Couvreur stated that he was very happy with this initiative of the Beachcomber Hotels. He thanked Denis Brogniart for accepting to put his name to the challenge that has been motivating travel agents of France to sell Seychelles. “This is a challenge limited to tourism professionals coming to Seychelles and these twelve winners who travel to Seychelles will become true ambassadors of the country. These four nights of adventure will be an experience of a lifetime. As this event will take place in Seychelles, the visibility it will bring to Seychelles cannot be overstated.”

The participants had until the 14th of December to enrol in this Challenge, which will see 10 top sellers of Sainte Anne Island in France and two other selected agents from the draw fly to Seychelles early next year with Denis Brogniart for a four-night stay combining adventure and art of living. This Seychelles challenge episode is being sponsored by Beachcomber Hotels, Sainte Anne Island, PROMOAGV and the Seychelles Tourism Board.

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER’S DESK

Dear colleagues,

As New Year is approaching, I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt greetings for the season

and express my appreciation to you all for the accomplishments and achievements during this year. I thank one and all for your support and dedication.

I am the more so happy that I can deliver this message of good wishes to you in the now much established ‘Sainte Anne Insight’, our much appreciated newsletter.

2014 has seen the resort consolidating its main mission of excellence in service for its thousands of guests. The recognition and awards of TripAdvisor and Holiday Check are but glimpses of the amount of effort we put in our daily work. We shall not fail to pursue in this laudable direction to offer our guests a continued improved product.

We must also thank the collective efforts of our industry partners and we remain committed to working with them in 2015 for even more profitable joint actions.

We have also hosted friends from the community at all levels of the Seychellois society and we have contributed to share our values to our neighbours with passion and friendship. We are part of this nation-wide family and we cherish our role to always support the authorities and our fellow citizens when needed.

Sainte Anne Island has kept pace with its policy to promote environmental values though its development and enhancement projects. We have continued to act responsibly on our lovely island through our decisions and actions.

During this festive season, let me wish all of you a very wonderful and prosperous year ahead and may we all work together to bring more success to our resort.

Norbert Couvreur

Thank you for your dedication

I N S I G H TN E W S L E T T E R O F S A I N T E A N N E I S L A N D - F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

• IN THIS ISSUE • PAGE 2 | COMMUNITY | Relief for the less fortunate • PAGE 3 | NEWS | Getting active on Twitter

• PAGE 4 & 5 |PEOPLE | Ready for «Beachcomber Aventure» • PAGE 6 | GUESTS | Christophe Brida, un citoyen

du monde • PAGE 7 | DÉCOUVERTE | Les canons de l’île Sainte Anne • PAGE 8 | Prime time celebrations • PAGE 9 | EXPOSURE

| Visit to Ethihad Stadium • PAGE 10 | GREEN CORNER | The turtle patrol • PAGE 11 | AIRLINE NEWS| Welcoming a new

aircraft • PAGE 12 |We're in the News

Scintillating 2015!

The New Year has already started in a wonderful spirit at the resort as all our team members contemplate a year of

achievement and excellence. The drive and the desire to meet and go beyond our guests’ expectations are always very present in all moves. This year at Sainte Anne Island is a turning point in its history with renewed enthusiasm and vigour.

To start this challenging but thrilling twelve months, our team members were all busy to greet and treat the numerous guests who came for memorable moments during the festive period. Each team member performed brilliantly during these demanding times and did so with the usual smile, which characterizes the spirit of the resort. From arrival to departure, our guests were overwhelmed by the grace and care they were shown everywhere. Upon arrival at the counter at the Mahe Gateway, on the boat shuttle to the island, on landing at the jetty, on check-in, in the restaurants, in their villas, on the beach, during their spa treatment, on the tennis court, on their hiking trips around the island, all the guests experienced this good and warm feeling of being among loving persons.

2015 is also a year of change in the way the resort will henceforth operate. It will shift to a mode, which makes this welcome and service even more personal and efficient. Our team members are committed to work in line with these new standards, which will make Sainte Anne Island more attractive than ever. We are geared towards change and are looking forward to have the expected results rather sooner than later.

Our luxury barefoot concept has already taken off marvellously meeting the requirements of most demanding guests. We will consolidate this way of living by increasing our daily work ethics and attitude. We are already reshuffling the responsibilities of our management

team and will soon do so at other levels as we keep pace with a more demanding environment in the hospitality industry.

Some great events await us in this New Year. Soon we shall host the most attractive Beachcomber Aventure, a most anticipated gathering, which will conclude months of sales challenges on the French market. This drive to conceive original marketing events will surely continue in the coming months for our resort and our country to improve its market share on our main as well as on emerging markets. Our close collaboration with the tourism authorities is yet another policy that we cherish and that we will favour during this year.

We are convinced that our concerted efforts to support and develop our industry will bear fruits for the benefits of the whole Seychelles nation. All staff members at Sainte Anne Island stand firm for the growth and sustainability of the main bread earner of our country.

It will also be scintillating when we shall host some major social events for our fellow citizens in our nearby and national community. In 2015, we expect and wish to trigger actions that will continue to serve the cause of education and our natural surroundings.

These are thrilling times for Sainte Anne Island!

I N S I G H T

EDITION SPÉCIALE

N E W S L E T T E R D E S A I N T E A N N E I S L A N D - M A R S 2 0 1 5

• AUSSI DANS CE NUMÉRO SPÉCIAL • PAGE 2 | Denis Brogniart : « une organisation parfaite » • PAGE 3 | Laura :

Le coup de bambou sur la tête • PAGE 4 |« Mission accomplie » pour l’équipe de Sainte Anne Island • PAGE 5 | Elodie et Noémie:

reines du kayak • PAGE 6 | Les petits plats dans les grands • PAGE 7 | Laura récidive au tir à l’arc • PAGE 8 & 9 | Une soirée en

apothéose • PAGE 10 | La chauve-souris en vedette • PAGE 11 | L’aveugle et l’équilibriste • PAGE 12 & 13 |La nuit à la belle étoile

• PAGE 14 | Les afficionados • PAGE 15 | Tournage et reportage • PAGE 16 | Souvenir, souvenir…

Passionnant et Palpitant !

Quelle belle aventure ! Les émotions de la Beachcomber Aventure rôdent toujours dans les esprits et dans les cœurs de tous ceux qui ont organisé, participé, collaboré ou assisté à ces merveilleux moments.

C’était un moment historique dans la vie de notre établissement où jamais depuis son ouverture, Sainte Anne Island n’avait connu pareil évènement. Et pour reprendre des termes culinaires, l’organisation et le déroulement ont été savamment préparés avec les meilleurs ingrédients. Ces ingrédients ont été les uns plus précieux que les autres.

D’abord, on ne cessera de souligner le soutien sans faille des autorités seychelloises et en particulier Alain St Ange, le Ministre du Tourisme et de la Culture et son équipe. Ils avaient une profonde conviction dans le montage d’une telle opération et de sa réussite dès les premiers jours. La présence de pas moins de trois ministres et plusieurs hauts cadres du gouvernement lors de la dernière journée témoigne de ce soutien.

Comment ne pas mesurer l’ampleur du rôle essentiel que Denis Brogniart a joué dans la Beachcomber Aventure ! Le présentateur vedette de la télévision française a surtout marqué les esprits par sa simplicité, son sens de l’humain, son amitié, son humilité et sa prestation très professionnelle comme sur un vrai plateau de télévision. Sa maîtrise des épreuves, sa démarche fraternelle envers les participants et les organisateurs, son calme et sa concentration ont forcé l’admiration de tous.

L’admiration pour Denis, les Aventuriers l’avaient déjà avant de fouler le sable de Sainte Anne Island. Nos jeunes amis venus de France ont ajouté toute leur verve et leur enthousiasme au travail de Denis Brogniart. Ils étaient tous comme de joyeux adolescents prenant du plaisir à affronter les épreuves dans un esprit de camaraderie et de complicité qui a surpris plus d’un. Pour beaucoup de ces jeunes professionnels du voyage, c’était l’occasion de leur vie et ils n’ont raté aucune seconde de ces moments intenses. Ils étaient sympathiques, délirants et solidaires.

Nos autres partenaires ont apporté leurs saveurs indispensables. L’infatigable Rémi Sabarros qui a vécu la conception et la réalisation de ce projet à chaque seconde. Son implication a été totale et demeure un exemple pour nous tant la précision de ses démarches étaient significatives.

La Beachcomber Aventure n’aurait pas eu cette ampleur locale sans nos amis de la presse. La couverture médiatique très pointue a aidé à présenter et à expliquer cette opération à toute la population seychelloise. L’intérêt que les journalistes ont démontré pour le déroulement de cet évènement a ajouté à son succès populaire.

Enfin cette merveilleuse aventure nous a aussi permis de voir une équipe magnifique à l’œuvre. Le défi pour mes collègues de l’hôtel était immense au départ et au décompte final le résultat est exceptionnel. Nos collègues seychellois épaulés par leurs amis venus d’ailleurs ont fait preuve d’une attitude admirable dans toutes les tâches C’était un travail d’artiste pour réaliser l’impossible et ils ont tous réussi au-delà de leurs limites.

La Beachcomber Aventure qui se voulait avant tout une opération commerciale en faveur de notre part de marché touristique en France a finalement été une superbe histoire de relations humaines, d’abnégation, de motivation, d’émotions et de souvenirs indélébiles.

Comme disaient les Aventuriers : C'est aux Seychelles qu'la vie est belle lala lala !!

Norbert Couvreur

I N S I G H T


History in the making

A living museum

NYS OLD BARRACKS

CANONS (COASTAL

GUNS)

SENTRY BOXES

FORMER SITES OF

PETROLEUM TANKS

WHALE OIL FURNACE

FORMER OFFICES OF MARINE PARK RANGERS

PTI CABOT

ANSE CABOTGRAND ANSE

ANSEMANON

OIL TANK BEACH

ANSEMARIE JUPE

FORMER SHOALS OF CAPRICORN

OFFICES

SUBMARINE CHAINS

ANSE CIMETIERE

History of Sainte Anne

Documents

History of Sainte Anne : A living Museum – August 2015