Local area information - St. Lucia

Here’s just a sample of a few of the larger towns... enough though to give a you a feel for the place. View map.

Castries
Marigot Bay
Gros Islet
Vieux Fort
Soufriere
Choiseul

Castries

Castries is the island’s capital, main cruise and ferry port and also its commercial centre, with head offices of many local and international businesses based here.

It was founded by the French and named after a French marquis - Charles Eugène Gabriel de La Croix de Castries.

After doing battle with the French on at least fourteen different occasions, the British finally took control in the early 1800s and within a few decades it was a major naval port due to the fact that it was the only anchorage in the whole of the Caribbean large enough to shelter the entire fleet in this region.

Although years ago the town suffered two extremely serious fires – almost wiping out the town and also with disastrous effects upon the whole island - you will still find examples of old French colonial architecture.

Today, Castries is a lively town. It’s easy to find your way around as the city is based on a grid system – much like you’d find in the US. Make sure you visit the local produce market. It’s a lively and colourful market bursting with tropical fruit and vegetables – it’s well worth the time.

You’ll also find local arts and crafts – including silk screen printing. And as a complete contrast, in the main port area, visit the duty free shopping facilities such as Point Seraphine and La Place Carenage.

In the evenings, too, there’s plenty to see and do. For a dinner show, there’s no better place to go than the Green Parrot at the top of Morne Fortune.

Green Parrot Hotel at Morne Fortune, Castries

The Green Parrot Hotel - Overlooking Castries

You’ll get great food and drink, limbo dancers, steel bands, fire eaters… and a great view over the surrounding area. If you are into dance, jazz, DJs and more – head on over to Rodney Bay – just a few miles north of Castries – the local cabbies will know exactly where to take you. (See "Jump Up" below under Gros Islet)

Marigot Bay

“Stunning view.” On first seeing this cove, that’s probably how most people would sum up this place. We’d all like a penny for every photograph that has been taken here! And even if you haven’t ever been here, you may recognise it… it featured in the original Dr Doolittle film.

Marigot Bay - a natural, sheltered anchorage

Rumour has it that this cove – a natural deep harbour – gained its name from the French Antilles word “marigot” which means a river which courses its way through wetlands into the sea. I have to say, though, the last time I was there I never saw the river! But with all the vegetation surrounding the bay it could easily be missed… and I wasn’t looking for it, anyhow.

Like Castries, Marigot Bay also served as a maritime base but now, not surprisingly, it’s a major Caribbean sailing centre.

And where luxury yachts go, you’ll also find restaurants and bars. You can be sure of some good food and drink around the harbour area.

Gros Islet

Nestling between Pigeon Island National Park in the north and Labrollette Point in the south, Gros Islet is St. Lucia’s most northerly town. This picturesque bay is around two kilometres wide and almost slap bang in the centre is Rodney Bay – a sheltered, modern harbour serving yachtsmen and boat lovers alike.

Rodney Bay at Gros Islet

In terms of night life, the town has all the usual “stuff” but once a week – week in, week out – the town transforms itself into one giant Caribbean carnival or “Jump Up” as the locals refer to it.

If you’d like to party with the locals – and you’ll be very welcome – slip on some comfy shoes and casual clothes and dance away to reggae… and savour the local food and drink.

Mmm, can you smell the barbecue?

Vieux Fort

Hit the road going south and just before you drive into the sea (we're joking), you’ll find Vieux Fort; St Lucia’s most southerly town and the official port of entry. Vieux Fort is home to St. Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport. More info on travel.

About a third of a mile offshore, you’ll find two small islands – the Maria Islands Nature Reserve – which is a World Heritage site which is the nesting place for thousands of migratory birds who return here between May and August every year.

The town has a popular white sand beach which attracts wind surfers and kite surfers. Shoppers, of course will find local stores, supermarkets, a local (Saturday) market and shopping malls just north of the harbour area.

Soufriere

Over on the west coast and originally the capital of St. Lucia, Soufriere was the earliest principal settlement on the island. Allegedly, it was the birthplace of Josephine de Beauharnais who, at age 33 married Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. (It seems Josephine was an adopted name, her name prior to meeting Napoleon was Rose. “Not tonight Rose” doesn’t sound quite the same, does it?)

Just south of the town are the two dormant volcano peaks known as the Gros Piton and Petit Piton – one (or should that be, two?) of the most well-known landmarks in the entire Caribbean. Locals tout the Pitons as being the “only drive through volcano in the world”. Bit of an overstatement but you have to give them full marks for trying! Although you can actually park your car in the old crater and there’s even a few people who live there.

The large and small Pitons outside Soufriere

Today, the only evidence of geothermal activity is the hot sulphur springs. Your nose will tell you when you’re getting close!

You can hike to the top of the Pitons (look for the sign, "Gros Piton Nature Trail" and a road that leads down). It’s a long walk… about four or so hours going up (2,600 feet) and about two coming back down. You’ll need to be pretty fit to do it in that time. Perhaps I’ll just stick with buying the postcard and downing a few of the local beers – aptly named “Piton”.

The quayside, which is just a block away from the main town square is the stopping off point for a number of local boat trips. If you’ll be mooring your own boat, though, you can do that at the anchorages north of the town bay at Anse Chastanet and also at Hummingbird Beach Resort.

Choiseul

About ten to fifteen miles down the coast south of Soufriere is the old-world village of Choiseul. Just north of the town is a petroglyph carved centuries ago. It’s visible from the roadside but you need to get out and walk to see it properly.

And south east of the town, you’ll find old Arawak Indian petroglyphs on the rocks of the Balenbouche River– but you’ll probably need someone to help you with directions. If you visit the Balenbouche Estate they’ll probably be able to fill you in.

Balenbouche was originally a cotton plantation but switched to sugar in the 1780s - nowadays it's a guest house. You can stay in the main house or in cottages in the grounds. The main house is around 200 years old and retains its original shutters and veranda.