St Barthelemy; St Barths; St Barts Attractions
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.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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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.
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.
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Colombier, St Barts
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.
Pointe Milou
At Pointe Milou those admiring the ocean vistas also overlook a portion of St Barths' coast frequented by surfers.
St Barths Boating
St Barths is a popular yacht stop. Motor-boat rentals are available, as well as picnic excursions to 'deserted' beaches.
St Barths Diving
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.
St Barths Film Festival
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.
St Barths Fishing
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.
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.
St Barths' Marine Reserve
St Barths attempts to protect its marine resources with the St Barths' Marine Reserve, France's 132nd natural reserve.
St. Barths' Marine Reserve
Gustavia Town Hall
Gustavia, FWI 97133
St Barts
Gustavia Town Hall
Gustavia, FWI 97133
St Barts
