3112, 3275 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) / THAILAND - A Thai spot in Gustavia

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Posted on 16.07.2017, 30.11.2019
Located right in the heart of Gustavia, the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy, the restaurant Black Ginger serves authentic Thai cuisine, concocted by a trio of Thai chef. Its unique interior courtyard opens on the starry sky, matched only by its contemporary design combining a palette of red and black colors, max domes spreading a soft light,and minimalist furniture, including Charles Eames chairs.

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The walls are decorated with photographic portraits by Serge Anton, French-Belgian photographer and designer. His collaboration with prestigious magazines around the world, as well as its exhibitions and books, and not least his accomplishments of permanent photographic installations for various restaurants and hotels, earned him international recognition. The portraits from the postcards were realised in Thailand in 2014.

3151 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - Islets at sunset

Around the Saint Barthélemy island are several small satellite islets, generally rocky, uninhabited. Some of them are part of a marine nature reserve that covers 1.200 ha, and is divided into 5 zones all around the island to form a network of protected areas, established with the objective of conserving coral reefs, sea grass beds and marine life.

3140 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - St Barths Bucket Regatta

3140 The yacht Parsifal III during St Barths Bucket Regatta 

Gustavia, the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy, is known as a haven for yachting, with many events being held there each year. One of the most important is St Barths Bucket Regatta, which is taking place every year over three days, usually in the month of March. It is open to cruising yachts whose length is 30.5m (100ft) or greater. The first regatta in St Barths itself was held in 1995 with four yachts; ten years later, 26 boats competed in the race, and in 2017 no less then 38.

2687, 2722, 2789 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - Gustavia

2687  Saint Barthélemy - Gustavia (1)

Posted on 16.08.2016, 30.08.2016, 01.10.2016
Shaped like a horseshoe around a small, sheltered harbor, and named after King Gustav III of Sweden, Gustavia is the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy. The eventual site of Gustavia was first called Le Carénage after the shelter it provided to damaged ships. According to the archives the name Gustavia appeared between December 28, 1786 and February 9, 1787. Gustavia remains as a reflection of the Swedish period (1784-1878).

2722  Saint Barthélemy - Gustavia (2)

Three forts built in the mid- to late 17th century protected the harbour: Oscar (formerly Gustav Adolf), Karl and Gustav. The sites of Fort Karl, overlooking Shell Beach south of town, and Fort Gustav (built in 1787), at the base of the lighthouse to the north, are popular with hikers. Fort Oscar, at the tip of Gustavia Peninsula, houses the Gendarmerie. There is a museum at the end of Victor Schoelcher Road on the peninsula.

2789  Saint Barthélemy - View of Gustavia, and Gustavia lighthouse

Gustavia has many high-end boutiques that are an essential source of revenue for the island, and one of the most high class luxury hotels on the island. Built in 1961, atop a hill at the site of historic Fort Gustave overlooking Gustavia harbor, Gustavia lighthouse is a 9m round conical tower painted white with a single red band at the top. The lantern has been removed and is on display at the Musée Municipal de St.-Barthélemy in Gustavia.

2774 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - The flamboyant tree

Flamboyant tree or Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) is a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae, noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of flowers. It is endemic to the Madagascar's dry deciduous forests but has been introduced into tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. In the wild it is endangered, but it is widely cultivated elsewhere. In many tropical parts of the world it is grown as an ornamental tree.

2763 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - Saint-Jean

Saint-Jean is a quartier located in the northern part of the island. It contains one of the best known beaches on the island and is the centre of water sport activity. This popular neighbourhood also comprises the second largest shopping area on the island. Some of the islands most magnificent villas, hotels, and restaurants can also be found in this city. In the hills, luxury hotels and pretty villas are hidden in the tropical vegetation and a profusion of colourful flowers.

2757 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - Lesser Antillean Iguana

The Lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima) is a large arboreal lizard endemic to the Lesser Antilles. It is one of two species of lizard of the genus Iguana and is in severe decline due to habitat destruction, feral predators, hunting, and hybridization with its sister species the Green Iguana. Another common name for it is the West Indian iguana, though this is more commonly used for species of the genus Cyclura. The species was first officially described by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in 1768.

2753 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - Gustaf III Airport

Gustaf III Airport, also known as St. Jean Airport, because is located in the village of St. Jean, was named for King Gustav III of Sweden, under whom Sweden obtained the island from France in 1784 (it was sold back to France in 1878). In 1984, Swedish Minister of Communications, Hans Gustafsson, inaugurated the terminal building. Most visiting aircraft carry fewer than twenty passengers, such as the Twin Otter, a common sight throughout the northern West Indies and as a curiosum, the Canadian-built de Havilland Dash 7 is the largest aircraft ever allowed to operate this airport.

2730 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - Baie de Lorient

There are fourteen beaches on the island of Saint Barthélemy, all blessed with gleaming white sand. Few are crowded, even in peak season, even if all are public and free. Lorient is a small picturesque fishing village, which has kept its traditional look, and offers a beautiful bay to the delight of families and surfers. The Lorient Beach is different from others, because it has two sides, one of which consists of small pools with coral reefs, popular with families for children to swim, and great for exploring marine life.

2189, 2705, 2710, 2711 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - The map of Saint Barthélemy

2189 The map of Saint Barthélemy (1)

Posted on 05.01.2016, 24.08.2016, 28.08.2016
Saint-Barthélemy, officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy, is an  overseas collectivity of France, located about 35km southeast of Saint Martin and north of St. Kitts. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barths in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao. It was for many years a French commune forming part of Guadeloupe, but in 2003 the island voted in favour of secession from Guadeloupe.

2705 The map of Saint Barthélemy (2)

Columbus was the first European to encounter the island in 1493, and named it after his brother. By 1648, it was settled from St. Christopher (Saint Kitts), but the settlement was destroyed by Caribs six years later. In 1674 it became part of the French Kingdom. There was a very brief takeover by the British in 1758, and in 1784 it was given to Sweden in exchange for trade rights in Gothenburg. This change of control saw progress and prosperity as the Swedes declared Gustavia a free port.

2710 The map of Saint Barthélemy (3)

Slavery was practiced in St. Barthélemy between 1787 and 1847. In 1852, a devastating hurricane hit the island and this was followed by a fire. Following a referendum in 1877, Sweden gave the island back to France in 1878, after which it was administered as part of Guadeloupe. On 19 March 1946, the people of the island became French citizens with full rights, and in 1961 the island received electricity. In nowadays it has a high standard of living, due to the international investment and the wealth generated by wealthy tourists.

2711 Aerial view of Saint Barthélemy

Saint Barthélemy is a volcanic island fully encircled by shallow reefs, which has a population of 9,035. Morne du Vitet, 286 m in height, is the highest peak in the island. Its capital is Gustavia, which also contains the main harbour of the island. Some small satellite islets belong to St. Barthélemy. Although it is the only Caribbean island which was a Swedish colony for a significant length of time, the language, cuisine, and culture are distinctly French.

2448 FRANCE (Saint Barthélemy) - Savaku

Located at Saint-Jean, not far from the Gustaf III Airport, the bronze statue Savaku, the work of the freelance graphic designer aged 27 years Guillaume Blanchard,  was inaugurated on August 24, 2007. It evokes the soul of St Barth, a metaphor for the island as envisioned by the artist, representing in the same time the forces of nature, including hurricanes.