DISCOVERING SAINT LUCIA FROM COAST TO COAST

What you will visit:

Balenbouche Estate
The estate house is one of the few surviving original plantation houses in St. Lucia, and its colonial architecture dates back to the early 19th century. Stroll through the gardens as you enjoy some refreshments.

Sulphur Springs
The Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs is the most active geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles. In this vast parkland, with stark, lunar landscapes, guests can walk or drive through the crater past bubbling hot springs, mineral mud pools and sulphur-laden steam. The Soufriere Volcano (Sulphur Springs) last erupted in the 1700s leaving in its wake therapeutic mud and waters that attract people seeking to heal eczema, arthritis, sore joints, and more.

Bon Nouvel Estate
The oldest French Creole Estate in St. Lucia, Bon Nouvel is a historic, 18th-century working plantation in a gorgeous garden setting, dotted with cocoa, coconuts, citrus and other tropical trees. Traditional agricultural methods are utilized throughout the 250-acre property. Guests view the process in which coconuts are opened, roasted and converted into a variety of products and cocoa is fermented, dried in the sun, polished through the art of dancing on them, then transformed into chocolate. The grounds also house a charming re-creation of a farm worker’s village, and horses roam through grassy fields.

What you will see along the way:

Castries
The capital city of Castries is home to several of St. Lucia’s historical sites, such as the stone walls of the La Toc Battery Fort, and the uniquely decorated Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the largest church in the Caribbean. A major fire destroyed much of the city’s structures between 1785 and 1948, but gingerbread-style older buildings can still be seen, and touches of French and British architectural influences have survived. Derek Walcott Square, named after the Nobel prize winner for literature, is the heart of the Old Town, surrounded by colorful landmarks, including the public library and colonial residences.
Photo Opportunities:

Morne Fortune
The “Hill of Good Luck,” a 17th-century strategic outpost, was a key battleground during the fight for St. Lucia’s colonization. You can still see original cannons used in the war. The fortress sits on the edge of a hilltop, commanding spectacular views of Castries, offering an incredible photo opportunity.

Marigot Bay
Author James Michener called Marigot Bay “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean.” A lush, tranquil yachtsman’s haven, it has been used for background shots in many Hollywood films such as Dr. Doolittle and Fire Power.

Shopping:
The Laborie Arts and Craft Center is home to the indigenous craft of coal pot manufacturing and is the best place to find many local crafts, including grass place mats, market chairs, and local clay products like coal pots, which are still widely used in many St. Lucian kitchens. Select the perfect gifts to bring home.