Impressions of Praslin#
Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, some 45 km northeast of Mahé. Praslin has a population of around 7,500 people. The main settlements are the Baie Ste Anne, Anse Volbert and Grand' Anse.
It was named Isle de Palmes by explorer Lazare Picault in 1744. During that time it was used as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin in honor of French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin. Praslin is a tourist destination with several hotels and resorts, as well as a number of beaches. It has substantial tracts of tropical forests with birds such as the endemic Seychelles bulbul and the Seychelles black parrot. The Vallée de Mai Nature Preserve, established in 1979, is known for the unique coco de mer and vanilla orchids.
