Pointe La Rue

Pointe La Rue (also written Pointe Larue) is a small coastal district on the eastern shore of Mahé, about 8 kilometres southeast of the capital Victoria. It is best known as the location of Seychelles International Airport, the country's main international gateway and home to the domestic terminal linking the inner islands.

The district's name honours Claire Marie de La Rue, a nurse who arrived with the first group of settlers sent to Sainte Anne Island in 1770. Today the area combines quiet residential sub-districts such as Anse Des Genets, Anse François, Pointe Larue Central, Nageon Estate, Matata Estate, Anse Faure and Caryole with the flow of travellers moving to and from the airport.

Although compact, Pointe La Rue sits close to some of Mahé's most accessible coastline. Fairyland Beach and Anse Faure offer relaxed local shoreline, while Anse Royale and Anse aux Pins are a short drive away with clearer, reef-protected water for swimming and snorkelling. Inland trails and boat trips from nearby jetties make the district a practical base for exploring eastern and southern Mahé.

Local life is unhurried: roadside takeaways and small restaurants serve Creole seafood, curries and fresh fruit juices, while a community centre, schools, churches and sports facilities serve residents. The Rivière Grand Bassin reaches the sea within the district, adding greenery to the coastal landscape.

For travellers, Pointe La Rue is above all a gateway and a convenient stopover point. Its airport connections, proximity to Victoria and easy access to beaches and day trips make it relevant for leisure visitors arriving in or departing Seychelles and for business travellers using the island's main transport hub.