Praslin & La Digue

L'Union Estate

L'Union Estate is a former coconut and vanilla plantation at Anse Réunion on La Digue's south-west coast, now a heritage park with a plantation house, copra mill, giant Aldabra tortoises and rum tasting, and the gateway to Anse Source d'Argent. SCR 150 day pass; open 6am to 6pm (estate site, checked 16 September 2026).

Last verified 16 September 2026

La Digue

What it is

L'Union Estate is a former plantation on La Digue's south-west coast, now a heritage park and the gateway to Anse Source d'Argent. Several of its landmarks are recognised national monuments, including the old plantation house, the Old Pier and La Digue's oldest cemetery, where the first settlers are buried.

What you see

The estate shows how the island once made its living from coconuts. Kernels were dried in a wood-fired copra kiln for two to three days, then pressed for oil in the ox-driven copra mill, known locally as the moulin kopra. Vanilla vines grow in rows you can explore on foot or by bike. Giant Aldabra tortoises roam at the foot of a granite monolith that the estate dates at around 750 million years old, and visitors can feed them. Since late 2025 Takamaka Rum has run a showroom and gift shop in the plantation house and a rum tasting bar in the Pirogue Shed. Craft shops and an art gallery sell work by Seychellois artisans, including the Maison de L'Histoire gallery of local artist Rita Morel in the plantation house, and Creole dishes are served on site. The estate's Tourism Board tour listing also mentions coconut oil making, toddy tapping and occasional folklore dancing.

How to visit

The estate opens daily from 6am to 6pm, public holidays included. The estate calls cycling the favourite way in and puts the ride from the jetty at about 15 minutes; you can also walk or arrive by car drop-off. Foreign nationals pay SCR 150 for a day pass (lunion.estate, checked 16 September 2026). A ticket bought after 4.30pm is valid for the next day, and visitors staying more than five days on the island qualify for a special rate. The Tourism Board listing, updated on 2 September 2026, shows a range of SCR 150 to 175 without explaining the higher figure, and free entry for children under 12.

Tips

One ticket covers both the heritage sites and Anse Source d'Argent, so plan enough time for each. The Tourism Board listing shows payment in cash (rupees, euros, sterling or US dollars) or by Visa.

Visiting

Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 6am to 6pm, including public holidays (L'Union Estate official site, checked 16 September 2026; Seychelles Tourism Board listing updated 2 September 2026).
Fees
SCR 150 day pass for foreign nationals; ticket bought after 4.30pm valid the next day; special rate for stays of more than five days (lunion.estate, checked 16 September 2026). Tourism Board listing updated 2 September 2026 shows SCR 150 to 175 and free entry for children under 12.
Run by

Where it is

3

Thing to do

L'Union Estate

L'Union Estate is a former coconut and vanilla plantation at Anse Réunion on La Digue's south-west coast, now a heritage park with a plantation house, copra mill, giant Aldabra tortoises and rum tasting, and the gateway to Anse Source d'Argent.

Map of L'Union Estate and the nearest places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 4 places on this map

Places to stay nearest L'Union Estate

  • The Garden Villas

    Villa in L'Union, La Digue

    The Garden Villas is a two-bedroom self-catering villa near L'Union Estate on La Digue, sleeping up to six, with a private garden, terraces, mountain views and free private parking.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Bwaver Cottage

    Guesthouse in L'Union / Anse Réunion, La Digue

    Bwaver Cottage is a simple five-bedroom Creole-style guesthouse in L'Union village on La Digue, where the host serves local breakfasts under the veranda and cooks Creole meals.

    • Families
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Maison Charme De L'ile

    Self-catering in L'Union, La Digue

    Four one-bedroom self-catering apartments with a small shared pool, set in a garden at L'Union, La Digue. SeyVillas says Anse Source d'Argent is reached on foot through L'Union Estate.

    • Self-catering
    • Pool

Questions

Do I have to pay L'Union Estate to reach Anse Source d'Argent?
Yes. The estate describes itself as the gateway to Anse Source d'Argent, and the SCR 150 day pass (checked 16 September 2026) covers both the estate and the beach.
Can I feed the giant tortoises?
Yes. The estate says visitors can feed and interact with the Aldabra tortoises that live at the foot of its granite monolith.
Is there rum tasting at L'Union Estate?
Takamaka Rum added a showroom in the plantation house and a tasting bar in the Pirogue Shed in late 2025.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.