Why you should visit L'Union Estate in La Digue, Seychelles

Why you should visit L'Union Estate in La Digue, Seychelles

A complete first-time visitor's guide to L’Union Estate on La Digue Island, Seychelles. Visit a historic vanilla and coconut plantation on one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Even if you've never heard of La Digue Island in the Seychelles, you've probably seen photos of its iconic white sand beaches and unique granite cliffs. One particular beach, Anse Source D’Argent, is a must-see and one of the most famous in the country.

What you may not know is that this beach is connected to L’Union Estate, a historic vanilla and coconut plantation. It is also very picturesque and a perfect place on La Digue to take vacation photos of tropical palm trees.

In this guide I will answer everything you need to know about L’Union Estate on La Digue. I include detailed information to help you plan your trip and include some photos from my recent trip to inspire yours.

More: La Digue Island Travel Guide

About L’Union Estate on La Digue

L’Union Estate is located at the southern end of Reunion Island on the west coast of La Digue. This property offers a unique opportunity to learn about Seychelles' colonial history, complete with some of the oldest examples of French colonial architecture on the island.

L’Union Estate La Digue reflects a time in history when coconut farming was the main source of income for the people of the island. The Plantation House is one of the main attractions and was once home to a Mauritian family who ran the property.

Other attractions that I will discuss in more detail below include:

• Historischer Friedhof
• Traditionelle Kokosmühle
• Plantagenhaus
• Granit Monolith & Tortoise Pen
• Vanille-Plantage
• Souvenir-Kioske
• Altes Hafencafé
• Bauernhof
• Kristall-Kajaks
• Anse Source D’Argent

alt=“Anse Source D’Argent near La Digue L’Union Estate”>

The ultimate Seychelles travel resource

Looking for more Seychelles travel guides and inspiration? Below are my most comprehensive travel guides that will serve as a great resource for your trip.

– 50 Things to Do in Seychelles – Seychelles Accommodation Guide – 18 Best Beaches in Seychelles – 10 Best Islands in Seychelles – 15 Best Hikes in Seychelles

Related: 6 Best Hikes on La Digue

How to get to L’Union Estate

Since L’Union Estate is located on La Digue, you’ll need to make it to that island first. You can skip this section briefly if you are already on La Digue.

I went into much more detail about the options for getting to La Digue in this single post. However, in general you have 2 options to get to the island. Firstly, you could take the Cat Cocos (fast ferry) directly from Mahé to La Digue Island, which costs around €60 and takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. Otherwise, you should take the Air Seychelles sightseeing flight to Praslin and then take the Cat Rose to La Digue Island.

Once you make it to the island, you should follow the coastal road to the southern end of Reunion Island. The best way to get around is by bike as the island is so small that it offers the most amenities. A bike costs around 100 SCR per day, I stayed at the incredible Chateau St. Cloud and they arranged one for me.

Below is the exact pin to go to, it's hard to miss. Once you arrive, you will need to dismount your bike to register and pay the entrance fee of 115 SCR to access L’Union Estate (compulsory for Anse Source D’Argent and Anse Marron).

Things to see and do at L’Union Estate La Digue

Once you arrive, there's plenty to see and do besides lounging on Seychelles' most photographed beach. Below is an overview with photos so you know what to expect. I have also included a map for orientation.
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1. Historic cemetery

As soon as you enter the property, you pass the historic cemetery. This is the oldest cemetery on the island and is very beautiful.
alt="Cemetery on the island of La Digue">

2. Traditional coconut mill

One of the most picturesque places on L’Union Estate is the traditional coconut mill. This palm leaf-roofed hut is a traditional mill where coconuts were once shelled and processed.
alt=“Traditional coconut mill L’Union Estate, La Digue Seychelles”>

3. L’Union Estate Plantation House

The Plantation House is one of the main attractions of L’Union Estate La Digue. This is a historic building that has had a number of owners over time, including a Mauritian family and even the governor of the island. It has now been converted into a small museum with a small art gallery.
alt=“La Digue Island Plantation House”>

4. Granite Monolith (Giant Rock) & Tortoise Pen

It is very hard to miss the huge 750 million year old granite monolith that stands proudly at the center of L’Union Estate on La Digue. This is one of the largest single granite boulders on the island and is truly impressive. It seems that it was once possible to climb it, but when I asked about it I was told that this is no longer the case.

However, directly beneath the granite monolith is the Turtle Pen. Here you have the opportunity to see some of the largest turtles on earth. The Aldabra giant tortoise is one of the longest living animals on earth. They can live up to 200 years and weigh over 300 kilograms! These turtles are endemic to the Seychelles but are originally from Aldabra Atoll in the south.

Best island to see wild turtles in Seychelles: Curieuse Island
alt=“Giant Rock Monolith, L’Union Estate, La Digue”>
alt=“Giant Tortoise L’Union Estate, La Digue Island”>

5. Vanilla plantation

As you walk past the turtle enclosure, you have the opportunity to cycle through the vanilla plantation. This is still a healthy plantation producing vanilla.
alt="Vanilla plantation at L Union Estate">

6. Souvenir kiosks

You will notice that there are a few small souvenir kiosks at L’Union Estate. These vendors have everything from local spices and rums to Coco de Mer nuts for you to take home.
alt=“Souvenir stand at L’Union Esate La Digue”>

7. Old Pier Cafe

If you get tired exploring L’Union Estate on La Digue, be sure to head to the Old Pier Cafe. I had lunch here after the Crystal Kayaks tour (below) and it was exactly what I needed. The cafe is located right on the water near the Old Pier, another great photo spot in L’Union Estate.
alt=“Old pier, La Digue island Seychelles”>
alt=“Lunch at the Old Pier Cafe, L’Union Estate La Digue”>

8. Scenic coconut tree streets throughout L’Union Estate

This is not an official highlight or attraction, but taking photos on these scenic dirt roads is, in my opinion, one of the best things to do at L’Union Estate! These winding roads are incredibly photogenic and you'll have the opportunity to take great photos no matter where you turn.
alt=“Coconut palms La Digue Island, L’Union Estate”>

9. L’Union Estate Farm

The farm is one of the last attractions of the L’Union Estate. This is a working farm producing a wide range of vegetables and spices. You can walk down to the farm area at the rear of the property to inspect the greenhouses.
alt=“Farm on the L’Union estate, La Digue”>

10. Crystal Kayak Tour

Okay, now onto the most epic thing to do at L’Union Estate La Digue – the famous Crystal Kayaks tour. This is the most popular tour on the island and also one of the cheapest! I was truly blown away by the value this experience provided. We explored the beauty of Anse Source D’Argent lagoon and beach from the water and took a guided tour of some of the best beaches you can only reach from the water!

The highlight for me was seeing the famous granite rocks from the sea and stopping at Robinson Crusoe Beach (Anse Pierrot).
alt=“Crystal Kayaks Shop near L’Union Estate”>
alt=“Crystal Kayaks Tour Anse Source D’Argent”>

Featured in: Praslin Island Travel Guide – 15 Best Things to do

11. Anse Source D'Argent

Of course, the main event at L’Union Estate and even on the island of La Digue (some would argue the Seychelles in general) is the famous Anse Source D’Argent beach. This beautiful white sand beach is dotted with some of the most incredible granite rock formations I have ever seen.

Of course, many people come through the property just to visit this beach. A quick tip: get here early if you want to take great photos as it can get very crowded!
alt=“Sunset on the beach in the Seychelles”>
alt=“Anse Source D’Argent beach”>

Where to stay on La Digue to visit L’Union Estate

La Digue is a fairly small island and you can get anywhere within 20-30 minutes by bike. You'll find many hotels on the west side of the island near the jetty, but only a few along the narrow coastal road on the mostly inhabited east side.

La Digue has a wide range of hotel and resort offerings, ranging from relatively 'budget-friendly' self-catering lodges to incredible luxury resorts.

Below you will find a short summary of the best tips.

More: The 9 Best Accommodations, Resorts & Hotels on La Digue.

Amazing Chateau: Hotel Chateau St Cloud (Mid-Range) I stayed at Chateau St Cloud on La Digue and I can personally recommend it as one of the best accommodation options on the island. This three-star hotel is perfect as a mid-range option as the location is excellent - just a little outside the main district on a quiet street that is close enough to both the incredible southwest beaches and the harbor. The staff are all very accommodating and the breakfast buffet is great. The rooms are very spacious and the hotel even has a pool and bar.
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Waterfront Hotel: Le Nautique (High-End) Rated one of the best waterfront accommodations on La Digue, Le Nautique is a luxury offering that combines traditional Creole architecture with modern comforts like king-size beds and rainfall showers. Here you will also discover a fantastic outdoor restaurant and a beautiful garden setting.
alt=“Le Nautique Seychelles”>
Self Catering: Dream Holiday (Budget) Dream Holiday Self Catering is located at the northern end of the island, very close to the ferry terminal. This location is great as you are close to bike rentals, snack shops and even supermarkets on La Digue's main street. Dream Holiday offers queen rooms with air conditioning, TV, private bathroom and even a balcony. This is a great option if you're visiting La Digue on a budget, while comfort and location are still a priority for you.

alt=“Dream vacation La Digue Island Seychelles”>

More travel inspiration for the Seychelles

I hope you enjoyed this quick and insightful guide to L’Union Estate in La Digue, Seychelles. While you are here on my blog, be sure to check out some of my other articles to get more Seychelles inspiration and to help you plan your trip.

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