The Black Girl’s Guide To Travel: A French Escape—In The Caribbean

Every now and again, I get a yearning for a bit Parisian getaway. There’s simply one thing enchanting about Paris: the cobblestone streets, the boutique procuring, and the cafes serving heat, flaky croissants. For most American vacationers, a visit to the “City of Light” means an extended flight, however I’ve discovered a option to expertise a bit “joie de vivre” a lot nearer to residence.

Although nothing can really replicate the distinctive vitality of Paris, St. Barts, the Guadeloupe Islands, and St. Martin all supply a contact of European taste with the added bonus of year-round heat climate. During your go to, you may apply your French, savor unimaginable delicacies, and spend the day lounging on the seashore. Ready for a French trip with out jet lag? Here’s methods to plan an unforgettable journey to the French Caribbean.

St. Barts

St. Barts (additionally referred to as St. Barth or St. Barthélemy) has a repute as one of the luxurious islands within the Caribbean. I just lately took a solo journey right here to decompress and discover out if the island lives as much as the hype. It does. To get right here, you may fly into St. Maarten and take a 15-minute ferry over to St. Barts or ebook a flight by way of a constitution airline like Tradewind Aviation, which has direct flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico. I went the flight route and checked into the Hotel Christopher St. Barth. Tucked away on the island’s quieter aspect, it was the right sanctuary I used to be looking for. The resort’s showstopper was its beautiful infinity pool, and I made positive to take full benefit of the spa with a critically soothing therapeutic massage.

To discover the island, I rented a automotive, since taxis have a set value of 25 euros every approach, which may add up shortly. I began in Gustavia, the island’s capital, the place you’ll discover designer retailers like Louis Vuitton and Cartier, in addition to standard eating places like Le Select (a well-known dive bar the place Jimmy Buffett wrote the tune “Cheeseburger in Paradise”). For dinner with a view, the reservation to get is at La Tamarin, which has a stunning backyard setting, or Bonito St. Barts, the place the hillside setting overlooking the harbor is as spectacular because the seafood.

St. Barts can be identified for its stylish seashore golf equipment, and my favorites had been Nikki Beach St. Barts and Gyp Sea Beach Club, each located on the centrally situated St. Jean Beach. Although St. Barts might be costly, you can also make it extra reasonably priced by visiting in the course of the summer time off-season or reserving an Airbnb as an alternative of a resort.

The Guadeloupe Islands

Of all of the French islands I’ve visited, the Guadeloupe Islands are a number of the most untamed, and should you’re into journey, I’d put this on the high of your checklist. The islands encompass two fundamental islands, Basse-Terre and Grand-Terre (which resemble a butterfly from above), together with a handful of outlying islands. I stayed at Club Med Caravelle, on Grand Terre, which is located on Caravelle Beach, one of many prettiest in Guadeloupe. The all-inclusive resort is right for households and provides a variety of all-day actions, together with watersports reminiscent of kayaking and windsurfing, in addition to distinctive lessons like trapeze and archery. However, should you favor a quieter expertise, the resort has just lately launched the Zen Oasis, an adults-only lodging and pool space ideally suited for a solo retreat or a soothing getaway with a associate.

Beyond the resort’s gates, the closest city is Pointe-à-Pitre, which incorporates a native market and vibrant road artwork amidst colourful, two-story colonial buildings. I took a taxi for a day of exploring and tracked down one among Guadeloupe’s nationwide dishes, bokit. The scrumptious sandwich consists of deep-fried bread filled with hen and topped with a scorching pepper sauce, and it may be discovered at nearly any roadside meals truck on the town. For French delicacies in Pointe-à-Pitre, pop into Le Plaisancier, the place you may take pleasure in a glass of white wine with native lobster or tuna tartare.

For journey, ebook an tour to The Guadeloupe National Park, which has trails for each degree. If you’re an skilled hiker, tackle La Grande Soufriere, an lively volcano that you would be able to scale. The hike is a three-to-four-hour trek, and you’ll sit up for a scorching spring pool on the backside. Travel tip: Be ready with some French phrases, which go a good distance in speaking with locals, a lot of whom solely converse French.

St. Martin

French St. Martin shares an island with the Dutch St. Maarten, however you may discover each side of the island freely. On my final journey, I stayed on the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort on the Dutch aspect, which was conveniently situated for exploring your entire island. The all-inclusive resort has two properties: the family-friendly Maho Bay Resort and Ocean Point Resort, an adults-only property. If you wish to keep on the French aspect, although, take a look at Grand Case Beach Club or Orient Beach Hotel, each situated on standard seashores.

In St. Martin, I began my mornings with espresso and a chocolate croissant at Chez Fernand. And should you’re like me and you’re keen on day occasion, you’ll positively take pleasure in St. Martin’s seashore golf equipment, the place you may sip a calming glass of rosé at spots like Bikini Beach or Waï Plage alongside Orient Bay. At night time, make reservations at Bistrot Caraibes, which has an incredible Lobster Thermidor and a formidable checklist of French wines.

For a dose of historical past and structure, head straight to the capital, Marigot, for a photograph op on Rue de La République in entrance of the pastel-colored 18th-century colonial buildings. And if luxurious procuring is in your thoughts, cease on the Le West Indies Mall to browse manufacturers like Longchamp, Dior, and Cartier. End your stick with a steep climb as much as the ruins of Fort Louis, constructed within the 18th century. At the highest, you’ll get 360° views of the island and an ideal spot to snap a photograph in entrance of the French flag.