Over the past few weeks, the appearance of the island has changed quite a bit. In Saint Jean, in front of the airport, an underground cable that was not installed when the road work was completed last October meant that the road had to be broken so that a trench one meter deep had to be dug for access to install the missing cable. While this work was being done, temporary traffic lights were installed, one 50 meters before the turn-off for Match, and another a few meters after the entry to the airport parking lot. This causes traffic jams that resulted in a line-up of cars as far as the traffic circle at the top of the hill all day long. In Gustavia, on the street closest to the harbor, the municipal technical services crew took advantage of the re-paving project to put electric and telephone wires underground. The goal of the municipality is to create a pedestrian zone for part (or all if the residents of the streets agree) of Rue du Général de Gaulle. That would mean that cars arriving in front of Le Select would no longer turn left, but would have to turn right and follow the waterfront street toward the far side of the harbor. And last week, the harbor master’s office and the adjacent building were reduced to a pile of rubble. The construction companies have just until the month of November to build the new, more modern harbor master’s office, complete with an upstairs reception space.
As the municipality continues its renovation of public buildings, it has been in favor of slowing down private construction projects. The Mayor and the municipal council are aware that the economy of the island depends on the kind of tourism where the clients are seeking calm and tranquility. Demographics show that a large number of visitors to Saint Barth return for repeat visits to the island. Many of them have complained of the results of the island’s rapid development: too much noise, traffic jams, not enough parking places, heavy demands on the production of drinking water and electricity, and so on. To alleviate these problems, the local politicians hope to control the number of new building permits. They are hoping that the national laws of urban development and limited construction will support their case. St Barts is divided into zones where building is authorized and green zones where all construction is prohibited. Those buying land had best make sure that their lot is located in a zone where building is permitted or that it already has a certificate allowing building, an document that is obligatory to ask for a building permit. The politicians contend that the zones where building is permitted will not be enlarged. As a result, certain construction companies that employ a large number of Portuguese workers will be obliged to reduce their work force, yet there is still a lot of work on the island.
Many hotels have taken advantage of the slow summer period to rejuvenate. This year, the largest of these renovation projects are the Eden Rock and the Sereno. Both hotels will reopen on December 15. The Sereno will have a new restaurant and renovated bungalows. The Eden Rock has take over the old Filao Beach Hotel and will have additional suites and cottages, while the main building, that dates from the time of Rémy de Haenen in the 1960s, has been completely redone to look exactly the same as it always has. As for the Guanahani, it will close its doors on August 22 and reopen on December 15 with renovated room and suites, as well as a new Clarins Spa.
RHONY live it up on the Island of St Barts!
Yachts, private villas, pristine beaches, barely-there bikinis and plenty of Pinot Grigio...the Real Housewives of New York (RHONY) hit St. Barts in style. Veteran housewives Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and Luann De Lesseps (The Countess) join new cast ...
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
