The history of Seychelles is as fascinating as its natural beauty. Uninhabited for most of history, the islands were first visited by Arab traders and later charted by Europeans in the early 16th century.

The French claimed the archipelago in the 18th century, naming it after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, the French finance minister. During this period, plantations were established, worked by enslaved Africans.

In 1814, following the Napoleonic Wars, Seychelles was ceded to Britain and remained a British colony until it gained independence in 1976. The country’s diverse cultural heritage—blending African, European, and Asian influences—reflects this layered past.

Today, visitors can explore Creole architecture, colonial landmarks, and museums that tell the story of Seychelles’ journey from a remote trading post to a thriving island nation with a rich and vibrant identity.