St-Barthélemy

Introducing St-Barthélemy

The mere mention of St-Barthélemy conjures up fanciful dreams such as having cocktails with supermodels, sampling caviar with a four-digit price tag, or dropping some serious bling on a Dior bathing suit…for your miniature schnauzer. Does this stuff really happen in St-Barth? It sure does.

So how, you may ask, did St-Barth become the playground for the rich and famous? The question is answered simply by seeing the island. From afar, dozens of sky-scraping mountains dramatically rise to the heavens. As you get closer, these craggy peaks start to reveal their sexy beaches like a dirty secret. Then, when you arrive, the possibilities for decadence become obvious: perfectly positioned bays beg for shmancy restaurants and rolling hills yearn for rambling villas.

For the rest of us, St-Barth still has plenty to offer. Under its star-studded surface, the island has a quiet community of locals who can trace their ancestry back to rural Brittany or Normandy – and even the rugged coastal terrain dotted with lonely cottages feels bizarrely French. Rent a seaside villa with an ocean view and spend your days basking in the warm Caribbean sun. Escape in the evening to sample some savvy French-Creole fusion cuisine, or head to a vibrant local market for some floppy fish and legumes.

Whether you’re after the glamorous life of the jet-setting glitterati, or simply a hushed bucolic village vibe, St-Barth can supply it. Just remember: while the two cultures of the island are almost diametrically opposed, they are ultimately united by their love of the Madonna (albeit different ones…).

Last updated: Oct 20, 2009