It looks like the rain on the roofs of Paris

Paradise exists. It is here. Eight thousand kilometres of the France. In this African nature inviolate, scary beauty. Without equal. Flight over the islands of the Seychelles to the hundred islands exploded about 1 200 km. Splashes of intense green planted in the Indian Ocean in the crystal clear waters, sometimes deep blue, sometimes green or turquoise, emerald. Around, complete with stripes of infinitely white sand.

15 Minutes by boat from Mahé, the main island of the Republic of Seychelles, stands a Palm Grove private barely more than 200 hectares, Sainte-Anne, whose quarter is occupied by a hotel. Here, in the coconut palms, hibiscus, fangipaniers and other Bougainvilleas, alongside without interfere 87 villas level lurking in their private garden behind a beautiful wrought iron door. All face the sea, some with direct access to the beach. Terracotta tiles associated with tropical timber are the most beautiful effect, allowing all a perfect integration in the intact nature.

Rosé marbles, selected tables

Whatever the size of the villas (50 m2, plus 60 outside for the smaller), the decoration is also sobre as refined. Teak and quatt, Slate, marble Rosé, furniture and Maurice Indonesia, selected tables. Additional delight, the outdoor shower with just the sky and birds for companions. A little apart, perched on his rock and lost in a quagmire of flowers, the aptly named Villa Royale. More than 400 m2 including a hundred terraces, overlooking the beach and the Bay. Everywhere, eyes beaming magic tones of the ocean. The private pool dug in the rock Crown all with Majesty.

If the farniente is highly recommended in these regions, the athletes are what deal with hiking on island, tennis, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving... Not far from the beaches, the great barrier reef and its myriad of fish to announce as treasures of the ocean. Trumpet fish, goat, Parrot, demoiselle, clown, Cardinal... Some, like the bourgeois, are a treat for the palate. And Frédéric Kulczak showcases. The Chief, who made his weapons with Gérard Boyer and Marc Meneau, Orchestra kitchen 30 people to serve as a true Symphony of flavours. Abundance offers delicious cuisine international and local pool, while the Mont fleuri offers Mediterranean gourmet cuisine. Feet in the sand for lunch or height on the stilts terrace overlooking the lagoon, for dinner...

But he must go to the meeting of the Seychelles, families or lone fishermen, to really penetrate the spirit of the archipelago. Some 80,000 souls, mulatto 90 Creole population, living mainly from tourism and fishing, always ready to link knowledge, laughter in the face. Wander the adorable mini-capitale Victoria on Mahé. Explore the tropical market crowded, high in color and fragrance. Take the opportunity to visit the island - which is 950 metres - and the nature reserve of Cape Lazare with its colony of giant tortoises. Then Cape on the island of Praslin with the Anse Lazio, splendid, and may Valley, small primitive forest classified as world heritage of Unesco. The only place of the world, with an another island of the Seychelles, where grows in the wild the famous sea coconut, said "coco-buttock" for its suggestive forms. In thirty minutes, a schooner leads Praslin to La Digue. The island of 15 km2 travels by bicycle or, more fun, char ox. It probably has the most amazing beaches of the planet, which the Anse Source of money, of incredible beauty with its huge granite rocks folded and polished by the time.

On the return, after a spa, ask in a transat between pool and ocean. One of the 300 employees of the hotel, discreet and effective, will advise you a delicious cocktail. Push your bare feet in sand fine, white, and sweet and flour. Listen to the trade winds slipped into the fins, toc toc toc... It looks like the rain on the roofs of Paris. Open your eyes. You are in paradise.

BOX .

IN PRACTICE

Sainte Anne Resort & Spa .

Mahé, Seychelles. Hotel the Beachcomber group. 87 villas (50, 85 or 140 m2 Royal Villa 320 m2). Possibility of half board à la carte. Clarins Spa, Turkish baths, saunas, massages, balneotherapy, cardio-fitness room. Mini club for the 3-12 years.

Southern lagoons

The specialist of a trip to the map in the distant islands offers many stays. Example for 8 days/6 nights from 3 453 euro per person in January (2,250 euros from 24 April to July 19, 2007) comprising flights A/R Paris-Mahé on Air Seychelles (excluding airport taxes), transfers, lodging in room double villa Beau séjour (49 m2) and half board. Special offers on certain dates. World with the Agency Bonaparte, 75006 Paris. Tel.: 01 53 63 84 40.

Dry flights

Five weekly flights out of Paris from 811 euros TTC E/R per person. Tel.: 01 42 89 86 83.