France's oldest citizen has died at 113 years of age - according to news reports that makes Eugenie Blanchard of St. Barts the oldest French Citizen:

Posted on May 29, 2008 5:59 AM| Permanent Link: France's oldest citizen dies at 113| Comments (0)

New Web Cam in Gustavia
To view the Gustavia harbor live, check out the new web cam at http://pagesperso-orange.fr/gustavia/webcamtempsbh.html.

Le Bouchon Now Has Rotisserie Chickens To Go
Le Bouchon restaurant in Lorient is now offering rotisserie chickens for take-out from Thursday to Sunday starting at 11:30 am.

Kazz n' Blues No More?
Kazz n' Blues opened in Grand Cul de Sac in the location of the previous Cocoloba several months ago. Rumor now has it that they will be closing in June. Something else is sure to open there as it is an ideal location for a restaurant. Stay tuned.

More Sushi To Go
La Mandala restaurant in Gustavia is now offering sushi for take-out. They have quite an extensive menu, offering Sushi Nigiri for 6 to 8 euros for two pieces, Maki-Sushi Rolls from 8 to 15 euros for eight pieces and two pieces of Sashimi for an average of 8 euros.

Posted on May 26, 2008 8:24 AM| Permanent Link: Bits and Pieces for May 26, 2008| Comments (0)

On April 30, the new radiology suite at the De Bruyn Hospital was inaugurated. The new radiology equipment was purchased with a donation of 154,000 euros from FEMUR (Foundation for Emergency Medical Equipment in St Barth) and 50,000 euros from the Kovner Foundation in the U.S. According to Pierre Nuty, the director of the hospital, plans are in place to have a full radiology center by 2010. Additional equipment will include a scanner that costs 400,000 euros. FEMUR will try to raise as much money as possible to help achieve that goal.

Posted on May 26, 2008 8:23 AM| Permanent Link: New Radiology Suites Opens| Comments (0)

From Yachting World, the Transat AG2R is over (since last week), and the team we mentioned earlier had a particularly tough finish :

Posted on May 26, 2008 6:22 AM| Permanent Link: Pellecuer and Mouren win Transat AG2R| Comments (0)

Villa Triagoz bills itself as "a private new villa proposed for vacation rental in St. Barts, the delicious French Caribbean Island (FWI). With a private swimming pool, two very nice bedrooms (+a baby room) and a splendid view to the sea, the villa is fully modern equipped with latest high tech (3 plasma TV, DishNetworks, WiFi, 3 DVD). The villa is situated at 200 yards from the Flamands beach in the leeward side of St.Barts, closed to the Hotel St. Barth Isle de France. We will be very happy to welcome you in our fantastic villa."

Lot's of photos on their site, it looks like a great place to stay.

Posted on May 26, 2008 6:13 AM| Permanent Link: Villa Triagoz| Comments (0)

Andrew Radcliffe, an American artist who has been living on St Barth with his wife and young son for the past two years, is exhibiting his art at Jane's Gallery at the Eden Rock Hotel in St Jean until May 24. Radcliffe studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, received a Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1987 and has exhibited his work throughout the U.S. In addition to hundreds of small pen-and-ink drawings, Radcliffe is also exhibiting several oil paintings that reflect his love of the tropics.

Posted on May 21, 2008 4:05 AM| Permanent Link: Andrew Radcliffe Exhibition at Eden Rock's Art Gallery| Comments (0)

No sooner did Les Puces, the secondhand store in Corossol, close than a new one opened in Anse des Cayes. Le Grenier de Nuit & Jour invites you to bring any furniture or decorative items that you'd like to sell to their store Mondays through Fridays between 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm or on Saturdays between 9:00 am and noon. You can call them at 05 90 27 67 78 or 06 90 63 76 97.

Posted on May 19, 2008 12:03 PM| Permanent Link: One Closes and Another Opens| Comments (0)

As of May 1, the Rapid Explorer is again based in Philipsburg at Bobby's Marina. This is a high-speed catamaran with airline-like seats and air-conditioning. The Rapid Explorer departs Philipsburg every day at 7:15 am, 9:30 am and 5:00 pm, except for Tuesdays and Sundays when there is no 7:15 am departure. The boat departs St Barth every day at 8:15 am, 10:30 am and 6:00 pm, except for Tuesdays and Sundays when there is no 8:15 am departure. The crossing takes 45 minutes.

For information or to make reservations, call 05 90 52 45 06 or visit the office in St Barth or St Maarten where the boat departs.

Posted on May 19, 2008 11:52 AM| Permanent Link: The Rapid Explorer is Back in Philipsburg and Has a New Schedule| Comments (0)

Antoine Questel, who will be 24 in September, has made waves in international windsurfing competitions over the last couple of years. Now, Jimmy Buffet has decided to sponsor him. Questel ranks among the top French windsurfers and has been part of the Funboard team at Pole France for the past three years. During the first round of the French Funboard championships, held April 5-10 in southern France, he came in third. There are two more rounds to go. He is currently competing in the Euro-Cup Mondial du Vent, which attracts the top windsurfers and kite surfers in the world. Questel is also sponsored by the Collectivity of St Barth, Eden Rock Hotel and Sooruz, a surf and skate apparel company. For more information on this talented young man, visit www.centrehautniveaufunboard.com or www.sailingnews.tv.

Posted on May 14, 2008 9:15 AM| Permanent Link: Jimmy Buffet Sponsors Local Windsurfer| Comments (0)

For several years now, the quaint village of Corossol has been home to a large store (Les Puces, which can be loosely translated to "flea market") that sells a broad variety of used goods - everything from furniture to artwork, dishes, glassware, fans, clothing, you name it. Sadly, they have announced that they will be closing as of April 30.

Posted on May 14, 2008 9:13 AM| Permanent Link: Secondhand Store in Corossol to Close| Comments (0)

According to the Daily Herald of St Maarten, Winair will begin adding a fuel surcharge of $12.50 on one-way tickets and $25 on round-trip tickets to all fares beginning May 1. As Winair is the most popular airlines for flights between St Maarten and St Barth, this will affect most people traveling to this little piece of paradise.

Posted on May 14, 2008 9:12 AM| Permanent Link: Winair Announces Fuel Surcharge| Comments (0)

The Lesser Antilles Iguana has disappeared on many other islands and is an endangered species in St Barth. Part of the problem on St Barth is that they are breeding with the more dominant green iguana, and several hybrid iguanas have been spotted. The green iguana is not native to St Barth and was brought there via St Maarten. They are larger and more territorial than the Lesser Antilles iguana. The problem with the hybrids is that they are thought to be sterile. In addition, the iguana faces many other menaces. The island has many cats and dogs who love to chase and kill the iguanas, although they don't eat them. Rats eat the iguana eggs, and the goats eat everything in sight, leaving nothing for the iguanas to feed on. Mankind is also contributing to their declining numbers. The increase in construction results in fewer and fewer isolated places for the females to lay their eggs. They have also been killed by cars when crossing the road or resting in the road to enjoy the sun. So, be on the outlook for an iguana in the road and give it time enough to move.

Posted on May 14, 2008 9:06 AM| Permanent Link: Lesser Antilles Iguana in Danger| Comments (0)

The Carl Gustaf, located on a hillside in Gustavia overlooking the picturesque harbor, is a four-star luxury hotel close to gorgeous Shell Beach, restaurants and shops. Two weeks ago, they closed for major renovations. According to general manager Pierre-Alexander Maillard. "We are going to be enlarging the hotel as well as completely renovating the restaurant, bar, and lounge." The hotel will add a new four-bedroom suite over the restaurant as well as a small spa and boutique. The spa will have three treatment rooms for massage and other services along with a Jacuzzi. The hotel is scheduled to re-open on December 15, 2008.

The François Plantation, is also closing for renovations. Located on the northwestern tip of the island, high in the hills of Colombier, the four-star Hotel François Plantation is housed in typical St. Barth architecture with a wrap-around terrace and a pool surrounded by teak decks overlooking a beautiful bay. The restaurant, one of the most highly regarded on the island, closed on April 1 and the hotel will close on May 7. The renovations here will be to bring the hotel's sanitation system and kitchen up to date. The hotel will re-open in mid-November and has plans for additional improvements in the summer of 2009.

Posted on May 12, 2008 7:27 AM| Permanent Link: Two Luxury Hotels Close for Renovations| Comments (0)

Le Toiny Hotel, a member of the Relais & Chateaux hotels, is located in Grand Fond on the southeastern coast of St Barth. They are now offering a Serenity Spa Package on selected dates from April 16 to December 19. In addition to the package rates, they are guaranteeing an exchange rate of $1.35 to 1 euro. With current exchange rates fluctuating between $1.56 and $1.60, this is quite a savings! The rates listed below are for five nights for two people and include full American breakfast, private round-trip airport transfers, a light lunch for two including non-alcoholic beverages, a convertible Mini Cooper rental car (!!) and fruit cocktails and exotic flowers upon arrival. The Spa treatments include a luxury manicure and pedicure, a body-peeling massage with coconut oil and papaya, a facial treatment and hand massage and a body mask with a relaxation massage or a pampering body massage.

Posted on May 12, 2008 7:21 AM| Permanent Link: Le Toiny Hotel Announces a Special Offer| Comments (0)

Since January 1, 2008, St Barth has collected almost 3.5 million euros between the new business tax, the vehicle tax and the accommodations tax. The business tax has earned the Collectivity 925,120 euros. Each business on the island must pay 300 euros plus 100 euros per employee up to a maximum of 5000 euros. The vehicle tax, called a vignette for the sticker that must be placed on the windshield, varies depending on the size of the vehicle. A total of 7154 owners have already paid, bringing in almost 1 million euros. The newly instituted accommodation tax of 5% per daily rental fee of villas and hotels has brought in almost 1.5 million euros. The Collectivity projected 2.5 million euros for the year for the accommodation tax, so this sounds like a good start, but they are afraid that it may fall short by the end of the year.

Posted on May 12, 2008 7:21 AM| Permanent Link: The Collectivity Collects Almost 3.5 Million Euros in Taxes| Comments (0)

The new Collectivity has hit the ground running as far as municipal improvements are concerned. The projects are many and welcome. Lots of work to improve the roads and several building projects are underway.

Flamands will never look the same - just better. The main road is being totally repaved and slightly widened. Any water pipes that were above ground are being put underground. Once the road is finished, plans are in place to add a sidewalk from the pétanque court all the way to the Hotel St Barth Isle de France.

Repaving of the road will begin soon between Radio St Barth in Colombier and the intersection in Corossol just past Au Regal. In addition, all the electrical wires will be put underground. This will definitely be a visual improvement and a welcome improvement in the case of hurricanes. There's nothing worse than being closed up in a villa or hotel with no electricity and no air-conditioning!

Have you ever noticed a lot of water in the roads around the pond in St Jean? The breaks in the water pipes are being repaired and the road will soon be repaved as well. In addition, at long last, they will be paving the road between the municipal pool and the archery field.

Access to one of the most popular beaches will soon be easier. If you've been to St Barth recently, you've probably enjoyed the first half of the road down to Gouverneur beach. It's been widened and repaved and is a pleasure to drive on. However, after that, the road quickly deteriorates into a mass of broken pavement and potholes. The Collectivity will begin work on the remainder of the road in September and will also put all water pipes underground.

The church hall in the Catholic church in Gustavia is under total renovation and should be completed by mid-May when it will be used for performances of the St Barth Festival of Theater, which takes place May 16-25. Air-conditioning is being added, as well as theatrical lighting fixtures and controls for sound and lighting. Phase two of the project includes enlarging the area as only 150 people can currently be seated.

And, finally, the new clubhouse for the municipal tennis courts in St Jean should be completed by mid-summer.

These are ambitious undertakings that will be enjoyed by everyone!

Posted on May 10, 2008 9:19 AM| Permanent Link: Municipal Improvements Abound| Comments (0)