waring

I live on St Barts, which although in the Caribbean, is as French as Camembert.

As a casual question, I was wondering if you North American Francophiles were aware of this little piece of Froggy Paradise a few hours from the US? 8 square miles with 80 top class French restaurants, 22 beaches and an almost zero crime rate.

For the British Francophiles, I know you have never heard of the place, which is a crying shame.

audere_est_facere

Is that you Jimmy D? Or are there two limeys on St Barts?

semiramis

I loved St Bart's (stopped there once on a cruiseship) but I cannot afford it. Maybe some day.

waring

Busted!

There are about 30 of us. Can't work out who you are...Spurs fan?
Don't believe this!! I hooked up with an old friend through this site 4 years ago. Whatever happened to Lord David aka Custard Monster?

audere_est_facere

He is closer than you think......

waring

Gotcha! Thanks for the book, laughed my @rse off! Me, Simon Airey and Ben Le Grys played at the same Gig at the rec...The infamous Linoleum Sister playing Country and Western at a punk festival.

audere_est_facere

I was around at that time - but I didn't go to the gig.

I am in that book - he calls me "fat". The bastard! I formed a band with the drummer of his Winchester band. We were pants.

Dave_in_Paris

Well, sure I'm aware of it. Once upon a time it was a (relatively) undiscovered gem, with local government that very carefully controlled development. My last visit some 10 years ago showed much evidence of change. Virtually everything on the island is imported, one of the reasons its expensive. But the absence of income tax, guaranteed under the treaty that ceded the isalnd to France, must be pleasing to residents. St.Bart's is a good choice for cosseting. Martinique and Guadeloupe, also "as French as camembert" and larger have their charms, too.

sheila

Sure, I know about it. I just can't afford it.

Nikki

What Sheila said.

Statia

Heck, I live just a few miles away from St. Barth's and unless I go to stay in my friend's house there I can hardly afford it either. Of course, if I quit going other places I probably could.

I will say that I have many friends here on my island from St. Barth's and from what time I've spent on the island it is really a lovely gem of an island with the tropical, yet truly French feeling. Kind of like France and the Caribbean all rolled up in one.

I really need to get back there soon. What area do you live in james?

Carrybean

Tons of the French on my island originated on St. Barths. Been there too, more when I lived on Sint Maarten.

waring

Hi Statia,

I live in Anse Des Cayes, the bay east of St Jean. I was looking at Statia yesterday from Shell Beach.

You can stay on St Barts relatively cheaply from $60US a night. Bit of a myth really, then again you can pay $2,000 a night.

Carrybean, where are you? St Thomas? We have a little wave of people moving from there to St Barts because of fears over crime.