The Bicentennial Monument was founded in 1978 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the town of Victoria, which was founded as L’Etablissement du Roi in 1778 by the Frenchman Charles Routier de Romainville. The king was of course Louis XVI (1754-1793). It was later renamed Victoria in 1841(after Queen Victoria of England).

Charles Routier of Romainville was born in Paris around 1739 and he died in Saint-Louis (Reunion) on February 16, 1808. He was a French engineer-cartographer, who joined the army in 1756. He was wounded in August 1762 in the Battle of Johannesburg.

In 1772, Charles Routier was sent to take possession of Seychelles, despite the role given to Charles Brayer du Barréin previously to establish the colony. At first he set up his residence and then a medical center, a prison, a shop, and another residential building.
The monument was created by the late Italian artist Lorenzo Appiani, who lived in Seychelles. It depicts three pairs of extended white wings. It is made of conglomerate gravel in a mortar matrix reinforced with steel. It is also known in Creole as the Moniman trwa lezel (three-winged monument) because of the three wings in the monument. The wings of the monument represent the origin of the Creole people, who derive from three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. The wings also represent varieties of rare birds which were found in Victoria.

Location of Bicentennial Monument

The monument is on the busy roundabout at the busy junction 5th of June Avenue and Liberation Avenues. Therefore you will have to walk there to properly admire the monument.

From Victoria bus interchange you can take a bus that goes through Palm street which meets 5th June Avenue. Follow it until it reaches the roundabout. This is where you will have to alight.

When to visit Bicentennial Monument

Free parking is available in the parking lot between Flamboyant Avenue and 5th June Avenue. During the week between 08.00 – 16.00 it is always heavy traffic in this area.