St Barthélemy blends relaxed Caribbean ambiance with the essence of France. The rolling green hills and sheltered inlets of the tiny island are fringed with white-sand beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. This sophisticated island has an exclusive air and is a favorite retreat for the rich and famous and their accompanying paparazzi. St Barths is renowned for its fine French cuisine and chic boutiques. The island has little in the way of historic sites and relaxing prevails over strenuous physical activity.
Named for Columbus's brother by the explorer in 1493,St Barthélemy is mostly known as St Barths or St Barts. Although leased to Sweden in 1785 for 93 years, St Barths has been predominantly French. A few Swedish legacies remain including the capital of Gustavia, a little village named after a Swedish king.
The island's residents are descended from French and Swedish ancestors.
The topography of St Barths was unsuitable for plantations; slaves were never brought to St Barths. Occasionally St Barths' residents dress in the provincial costumes of Normandy which include the customary white starched bonnets of 17th C France.
St Barths is an island dependency of Guadeloupe, which in turn is an Overseas Départment of France. St Barthélemy participates in French elections and elects its own mayor every seven years. St Barths lies 208km/125 mi northwest of Guadeloupe, and 25km/15 mi southeast of St Martin with a total land area of about 21sq km/8 sq mi.
North of Corossol is Colombier, a residential area of red-roofed cottages overlooking a bay favored by sailors. The area also offers a fine beach of the same name but is only reached by a boat or hike.
St Barths has 15 major dive sites, both reefs and wrecks and snorkeling is good off the rocky end of Marigot and Grand Cul-de-Sac where the shallow, reef-protected waters are ideal for children.
Tips: For an organized snorkeling excursion, contact a sports operator in advance, or try the water sports centers at Grand Cul-de-Sac and St Jean.
Since 1996, St Barths Film Festival has put St Barths on the map as a meeting place for regional filmmakers to come together to screen and discuss their work. The festival is held in the spring near the end of April.
Address: St Barths Film Festival, Box 1017, St Jean, FWI 97012, St Barts
Everybody owns some type of boat in St Barths and many are used to catch blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, bonito, barracuda, sailfish, swordfish and dorado, but all fish become the property of the vessel.
Big game fishing provides excitement for amateurs, but fishers are urged to release any catches back to the wild after measuring and tagging it.
A Marine Reserve was implemented in 1996, in order to restore sea life in coastal waters devastated by overeager spear fishers.
Address: Marine Service, Quai du Yacht Club, Gustavia, FWI , St Barts
Tips: Contact Dominique or Henri at Marine Service on the Quai du Yacht Club (members of the Big Game Fishing Club of France)
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French port on St Barths.
Typical street and buildings in Gustavia.
The view along Governor's Beach.
Calm waters on the ocean front at St Jean.
View over Grand Cul de Sac Beach with beach umbrellas and chairs lining the ocean front.
