Mont Buxton: Ridges, Houses and History

Mont Buxton is a suburb of Victoria, located west of the capital. Union Vale borders it to the north, and Belonie to the south. Inland, the terrain rises to the steep ridges of Creve Coeur, which reach 386 m. On the western side of Mahé, the ridges slope down at Beau Vallon. The area is therefore shaped both by the location of the village and by its striking ridge.

A place name with political history

Mont Buxton is named after St Thomas Fowell Buxton (1786–1845), an English brewer and social reformer. As a member of the House of Commons, he campaigned for the abolition of slavery in all British colonies in 1833. The place name is thus connected to a specific person and his political work.

The houses on view also give the village a cultural accent: Mont Buxton has traditional Kaz Kreol, or small Creole houses, and former plantation houses. These two types of houses complement the political history with insights into the area's architecture. For travellers interested in local history and architectural styles, they are another distinctive feature, alongside the location and landscape.

Mont Pavillon and seafaring

Mont Pavillon is another landmark with a maritime history: it guided incoming ships. Today, Mont Pavillon is also associated with watching schooners sail across the ocean. Together, these two details make the maritime theme a distinct part of the village's character, alongside the ridges and the houses on view.

Other natural and cultural contrasts in the Seychelles

The wider destination of the Seychelles offers further, different themes. The Seychelles' marine parks can be reached by boat; Port-Launay can also be reached on foot. On Curieuse, a mangrove swamp borders Baie Laraie. A raised boardwalk runs through the swamp, providing access to the mangrove habitat even at high tide. Curieuse was used for almost a hundred years as a quarantine site for people with leprosy. Here, landscape and history sit side by side.

On Praslin, Praslin National Park offers a different natural setting. There are several short paths there; Glacis Noire is the only official trail. The park is a habitat for endemic, native and indigenous plants, as well as various insects and other animals. These include the Black Parrot, which is found only on Praslin and the surrounding islets. Also on Praslin is the 19.5-hectare Vallée de Mai. It is one of the world's smallest natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the only area in the Seychelles where all six species occur together. These examples show how varied ways of exploring the Seychelles can be: from a mangrove habitat and its history to short trails and distinctive plant and animal life.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Glacis, Cascade, Anse Etoile, Pointe La Rue, Les Mamelles, Anse Royale, Port Glaud, Beau Vallon.

For the main travel overview: Seychelles.