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About St Barths (St Barts, St Barthélemy)

Gustavia, the capital of St Barths.

Located less than a 15 minute plane ride from St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Barthélemy is known as the elegant and exclusive island of the Caribbean. Less than 10 square miles in size, St. Barths is surrounded by white sand beaches and crystalline blue waters. It offers a distinct European feel combined with the island’s Caribbean laid back atmosphere.

This small, intimate French island is definitely the preferred playground of the rich and famous. The island offers a haven for magnificent mega-yachts during the Winter, beautiful hotels and villas abound around the island and upscale stores like Hermes, Prada and Louis Vuitton line the streets of the capital, Gustavia and St. Jean.

The capital, Gustavia, is considered by many to be the fashion capital of the Caribbean. In addition to top European designers, there are also a number of funky boutiques around every corner. St. Barths is definitely a shopper’s haven.

The cuisine offered in many of the waterfront restaurants is delectable. And of course, not to forget the 22 beaches that dot this island. Topless and nude bathing is acceptable. The famous beach, St. Jean, is dotted with wonderful gourmet restaurants and hotels. Part of this beach is home to the hip Nikki Beach.

Renting a villa on St. Barths is the perfect choice. St. Barths villas do not just fit this lovely island, they are the island…Beautiful villas from cliffside modern vistas to West Indian beachside bungalows are spotted throughout the island and offer the ultimate in sophistication, comfort and uncompromising views.

Interactive St Barths map

Click on map for an interactive St Barths map. Requires Flash. Opens in new window.

Planning Events 2009 / 2010

NOVEMBER 2009
1st -All Saints Day – Religious event
6th to 8th - 60th Birthday of the Select bar (Cheeseburger in Paradise) / Jimmy Buffet in Concert !
60th Birthday of the Select and Jimmy Buffet concerts schedule
11th - Armistice Day - Commemoration of the end of World War I (1918).
14th – Pitea Day/Gustavialoppet - Kids race, St Jean stadium.
15th - Pitea Day Commemoration of the twin cities of St Barth and Pitea (in Sweden) various activities organized by l’ASBAS in the Public Beach.
Swedish Marathon / Gustavialoppet- A three-kilometre health walk for everybody, and a 13-kilometer race for local and visiting runners (adults) arrival on the Public beach.
20th to 22nd - St Barth Cata Cup regatta on St Jean beach

DECEMBER 2009
...Holiday Window Competition (planning stages)
25th - Christmas Family and religious holiday
31st - New Year’s Eve Regatta — Just-for-fun race around the island, open to sailboats of all sizes, local and those present for the holidays
31st - New Year Eve – Music and dancing on the dock, Quai Général de Gaulle, and fireworks at midnight, Gustavia; Parties in various restaurants.

JANUARY 2010
1st - New Year Day - Family holiday
3rd - Three kings Day – Family holiday celebrated with the traditional “king’s cake”
10th to 24th - St Barth Music Festival - Jazz and chamber music concert in the churches of Gustavia and Lorient, with artists of international renown.
… -St Barth Dental Association conference

FEBUARY 2010
12th - School carnival – Costume parade for children in the streets of Gustavia
16th – Mardi Gras - Costume parade in the streets of Gustavia
17th - Ash Wednesday - End of carnival. Burning of Vaval, King of carnival— Shell beach
MARCH 2010
7th - International Women’s Day
26th to 28th - St Barth Bucket - 3 days of regattas around St Barth for a fleet of the largest, most prestigious sailing yatchs

APRIL 2010
6th to 11th -St Barth sails— First edition in 2010
4th - 5th - Easter Weekend – Family and religious holiday.
18th -Culinary Fair
22nd to 25th - Book festival
24th to 29th - St Barth Film Festival – 6 days with films from around the Caribbean basin and about Caribbean culture.

MAY 2010
1st -Labor Day – Family holiday.
30st to 2nd -Tour of St Barth— Around the island event for windsurfing and catamarans, St Jean beach
8th - Armistice Day - Commemoration of the end of World War II (1945).
13th - Arrival of the transat AG2R
5th to 15th – St Barth theatre festival — performances by the local company, SB Artists, and artists from neighboring islands and France.

JUNE 2010
5th - Dance performance by Form Fitness - St Jean Sports stadium
8th - Caribbean Football Stars Tour – Gala match between pros and former pro-soccer players from France and a team from St Barth.
12th - Dance performance by ASCCO – Tennis court, Colombier
21st - Music festival on the docks : Quai Général de Gaulle - Gustavia
26th - Portuguese Day - Lorient

JULY 2010
14th - Bastille Day – Fireworks and dancing on the dock, Quai Général de Gaulle– Gustavia
17th – Anse des Cayes Fete– games, competitions, and various activities organized in the village of Anse des Cayes
24th - 25th – Northern neighborhoods fete - Tournaments, various games, dance performances, raffle, and music, ASCCO

AUGUST 2010
07th - 8th : Windward Feast - Fishing tournament, regattas, various games, music, volleyball, raffle, and dancing - Village of Lorient
15th –Public Feast - games, competitions, and various activities organized in the Public beach
23rd - 24th - SBJAM Music Festival -Concerts of Caribbean music organized by the association, SBJAM
24th - St Barthélemy Saint’s Day – Commemoration of the island’s patron saint. Official ceremonies, regattas, various games, fireworks and dancing on the dock: Quai Général de Gaulle – Gustavia
25th - St Louis Feast – Various activities and tournaments, regattas, games, raffles, dance performances and music : Village of Corossol.
29th - Golden Age Day - Activities for the island’s senior citizens. School restaurant, Gustavia

NOVEMBER 2010
1st -All Saints Day – Religious event
4th to 7th - St Barths Blues Festival
11th - Armistice Day - Commemoration of the end of World War I (1918).
14th – Pitea Day/Gustavialoppet - Kids race, St Jean stadium.
15th - Pitea Day Commemoration of the twin cities of St Barth and Pitea (in Sweden) various activities organized by l’ASBAS in the Public Beach.
Swedish Marathon / Gustavialoppet- A three-kilometre health walk for everybody, and a 13-kilometer race for local and visiting runners (adults) arrival on the Public beach.
20th to 22nd - St Barth Cata Cup regatta on St Jean beach

DECEMBER 2010
...Holiday Window Competition (planning stages)
25th - Christmas Family and religious holiday
31st - New Year’s Eve Regatta — Just-for-fun race around the island, open to sailboats of all sizes, local and those present for the holidays
31st - New Year Eve – Music and dancing on the dock, Quai Général de Gaulle, and fireworks at midnight, Gustavia; Parties in various restaurants.