About St. Barts
St. Barthélemy, known simply as St. Barts, combines the beauty of the Caribbean with a distinctly French character. White-sand beaches, turquoise water, exceptional restaurants and boutiques surround the island, while the harbor town of Gustavia reflects its French and Swedish heritage.
Villa Belle Bague is located high in the peaceful hills of Colombier on the island’s northwest side, with sweeping Caribbean views and convenient access to Colombier and Flamands beaches, Gustavia and St. Jean. The setting offers a quiet retreat while remaining close to the beaches, restaurants and shopping that make St. Barts such a special destination.
The Beaches
Colombier Beach
One of St. Barts’ most beautiful and secluded beaches, Colombier is accessible only by foot or boat. Its clear turquoise water and protected setting make it a favorite for swimming and snorkeling.
Flamands Beach
Close to Colombier, Flamands is one of the island’s widest beaches, with a long sweep of white sand and beautiful Caribbean water.
Corossol Beach
A small traditional fishing beach near Colombier, Corossol offers a glimpse of a quieter side of island life.
St. Jean Beach
One of the island’s liveliest beaches, St. Jean combines beautiful water with restaurants, hotels and beach clubs.
Gouverneur & Saline
Two of St. Barts’ most celebrated natural beaches, Gouverneur and Saline are known for their beautiful sand, clear water and relatively undeveloped surroundings.
Colombier Beach
Dining in St. Barts
St. Barts is renowned for its exceptional dining, from elegant restaurants overlooking Gustavia harbor to relaxed lunches with your feet in the sand. Reservations are recommended during the high season, and many restaurants close for part of the late summer and early fall.
Near Villa Belle Bague
Les Bananiers
Located in Colombier, this relaxed neighborhood favorite offers a casual alternative close to the villa, with a varied menu and pizzas.
Gyp Sea
Also in Colombier, Gyp Sea offers a beautiful hilltop setting overlooking Flamands. Its beach club is located separately on St. Jean Beach.
La Langouste
Just down the hill in Flamands, La Langouste is a longtime island favorite known especially for fresh Caribbean lobster and seafood.
Dinner & Evening
Bonito
A stylish Gustavia favorite combining an elegant atmosphere, harbor views and Latin American influences.
L’Isola
An intimate and sophisticated Italian restaurant in Gustavia, ideal for a special evening.
Bar des Prés
A chic Gustavia restaurant bringing together French and Asian influences in a contemporary setting.
Bagatelle
Located on the harbor in Gustavia, Bagatelle combines French-Mediterranean dining with the lively atmosphere for which St. Barts is famous.
La Petite Plage
Set directly on Gustavia harbor, La Petite Plage offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in a relaxed, elegant setting overlooking the boats.
L’Esprit
A romantic garden restaurant in Saline known for creative cuisine and a tranquil tropical setting.
Tamarin
One of the island’s most beautiful garden restaurants, Tamarin offers dinner beneath palms and tropical foliage in Saline.
Ti St Barth
Part restaurant and part evening entertainment, Ti St Barth is one of the island’s best-known choices for a festive night out.
Beach & Lunch
Nikki Beach
A St. Jean institution combining beachfront dining, music and the island’s famously festive atmosphere.
Sand Bar at Eden Rock
Set directly on St. Jean Bay, Sand Bar offers an elegant beachfront setting at Eden Rock.
Gyp Sea Beach Club
A relaxed and stylish beach club on St. Jean Beach, distinct from the Gyp Sea property in Colombier.
Shellona
Located directly on Shell Beach in Gustavia, Shellona combines Mediterranean-inspired dining with one of the island’s most memorable waterfront settings.
La Cabane at Cheval Blanc
A refined beachfront restaurant on Flamands Beach, particularly convenient from Colombier.
Le Toiny Beach Club
Reached on the quieter eastern side of the island, Le Toiny Beach Club offers a secluded setting overlooking the rugged Toiny coastline.
Restaurants and opening schedules change seasonally. We recommend confirming current hours and making reservations in advance.
Groceries & Provisions
St. Barts has an excellent selection of supermarkets, specialty food shops, bakeries and wine merchants. Fresh French and Caribbean products are readily available throughout the island.
La Petite Colombe – Colombier
A convenient neighborhood bakery close to Villa Belle Bague for fresh bread, pastries and other bakery items.
Super U – St. Jean
One of the island’s principal supermarkets, located opposite the airport, with a wide selection of groceries, fresh produce, meat, cheese, wine and prepared foods.
Monoprix – Lorient
A large, modern market offering fresh produce, groceries, wines, gourmet foods and everyday essentials.
U Express L’Oasis – Lorient
A convenient smaller supermarket with fresh foods, groceries, wine, a rotisserie and everyday provisions.
AMC – Public
A longtime St. Barts food supplier offering a broad selection of provisions and imported products.
Foodland Boutique – Gustavia
A gourmet food shop specializing in premium fresh and imported products, including seafood, meats and specialty foods.
Store hours and seasonal schedules may change. We recommend confirming current opening hours before visiting.
Practical Information
Weather
St. Barts enjoys a warm tropical maritime climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of approximately 80°F (27°C). The drier months are generally December through April, while warmer weather and occasional tropical showers are more common from May through November.
Language
French is the official language of St. Barts, although English is widely spoken throughout the island.
Currency
The euro (€) is the official currency. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted, as are major credit cards. ATMs are available in Gustavia and St. Jean.
Electricity
Electricity on St. Barts is 220 volts / 60 Hz. Guests traveling with U.S. appliances should check voltage compatibility before use.
Water
St. Barts is a naturally dry island without significant freshwater sources. Municipal water is produced primarily through desalination, and many villas, including Villa Belle Bague, also collect rainwater in cisterns.
Local Time
St. Barts is on Atlantic Standard Time (UTC−4) throughout the year and does not observe daylight saving time. During U.S. daylight saving time, the island is on the same time as the U.S. East Coast; during the winter it is one hour ahead.
Getting to St. Barts
There are no direct long-haul flights into St. Barts. Most visitors connect through nearby Caribbean gateways, particularly St. Maarten (SXM) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), with additional connections available through Antigua and Guadeloupe.
Rémy de Haenen Airport (SBH) in St. Jean has a short 2,133-foot (650-meter) runway and accommodates smaller regional aircraft. Winair and St Barth Commuter provide regional service, while Tradewind Aviation offers scheduled service from San Juan and seasonal service from Antigua. Private charter options are also available.
Ferry service to Gustavia is available from St. Maarten/St. Martin. Schedules vary by season, so travelers should confirm current schedules when planning their trip.
Getting Around
A rental car is the most convenient way to explore St. Barts and is strongly recommended. Numerous rental agencies operate at the airport and elsewhere on the island, and many will deliver a vehicle directly to a villa. Advance reservations are recommended during the high season.
Entry Requirements
All international visitors should travel with a valid passport. Visa and entry requirements vary according to nationality and length of stay, so guests should confirm current requirements before traveling.
Travel schedules and entry requirements can change. Guests should confirm current information with their airline, ferry operator or the official Saint-Barthélemy Tourism Board before departure.