La Plaine St. André

La Plaine St. André is a colonial-era sugarcane plantation located in the southeast of Mahé, Seychelles.

History
The national heritage estate, situated in Au Cap and formerly recognized as Eco-Musée, traces its origins to 1792. Originally owned by Jean-Francois Marie Jorre de St. Jorre, who hailed from Saint Andre de La Reunion, the estate was named La Plaine St. Andre. It stretched from Au Cap to Anse Royale. During Seychelles' time as a French colony, it was a major plantation, supplying much of the island's southern area with agricultural produce.



In 1996, the national anthem of Seychelles, Koste Seselwa was composed by David André and Georges Payet at an old house at La Plaine St. Andre.

In 2007, Trois Frères Distillery, the creators of Takamaka Rum, entered a long-term lease agreement with the Seychelles Heritage Foundation (SHF) to oversee the management of the estate.

Historical discrepancies
There isn't enough evidence to confirm that "La Plaine Saint André" was built around 1792. According to local historian Julien Durup, the wooden structures wouldn't last that long in Seychelles' humid climate with termites. Jean-François Marie Jorre de Saint Jorre, born in La Réunion in 1758, arrived in Seychelles in April 1790, not as one of the first settlers as previously believed. He was granted land at Pointe La Rue and Anse Aux Courbes, while his wife also received land in 1792. If Jean-François named his property "La Plaine Saint André" out of nostalgia for his birthplace, it doesn't mean he built his mansion at the same time.



Also, the original masonry basement of the 'Plantation House' suggests it was constructed between 1844-60 during the ownership of André Despilly Jorre de Saint Jorre. Despilly, a notable Master Mason and notary, was associated with the 'La Réunion Sincère' and later the 'Lodge Union Sincère,' founded by Pascal de Giovanni in 1869 at Royal Street, Paris. The 'La Réunion Sincère,' acquired by Ange Joseph Marie Cordouan in 1831, ceased operations in 1851. The 'Plantation House' served as a meeting venue for the Masonic community on various occasions.

Architecture
The buildings on the plantation represent colonial-era architecture. The plantation house, with its distinctive Creole design characterized by wide verandas and steep-pitched roofs, is a focal point of the estate. The estate also features an herbs & medicinal garden, and a restaurant serving Creole cuisine.