Iles des Saintes

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 28 Mar 2009 23:03

The Îles des Saintes

 

  

 

Our view from where we are anchored and the view from ashore.

 

Literally, Islands of the Saints, simply referred to as Les Saintes, are a group of islands within the French overseas department of Guadeloupe. They are about 15 kilometres southwest of Guadeloupe and as such belong to the Lesser Antilles. Their land area is 12.8 square kilometres (4.9 square miles) and they had a population of 2,883 inhabitants at the 2005 census (down from 3,269 inhabitants at the 1967 census). Only Terre-de-Haut Island and Terre-de-Bas Island are populated. Terre-de-Haut Island having a natural harbour, guarded by Fort Napoleon. Terre-de-Bas Island is dominated by agriculture, including coffee, cotton, pepper, and bananas.

 

 

 

As Bear was tying up the dinghy I saw this chap next to the jetty, with some fish friends, (he is about the size of a dinner plate), then walking on his way.

The islands were named Los Santos by Christopher Columbus, who arrived here on All Saints Day in 1493. The first French settlers arrived in 1648. Because of their strategically important position, the Îles des Saintes were fought over by the French and the British in the Battle of the Saintes; they have remained under French control since 1816.

 

    

 

Les Saintes are remarkable for being one of only a few islands in the Lesser Antilles to have a white majority population, many of whom trace their lineage back to Breton settlers, having a strong Breton cultural influence on the island. As soon as we set foot on shore it felt very French. The street looking both ways felt very Breton.  Administratively, the islands are divided into two communes (municipalities): Terre-de-Bas Island and several nearby uninhabited islands and islets. Land area: 6.8 km². Population: 1,061 (2005 census) and Terre-de-Haut Island and several nearby uninhabited islands and islets. Land area: 6.0 km². Population: 1,822 (2005 census).

 

             

 

Bear took me for lunch where we sat overlooking the bay, strange to be in the Caribbean, sipping a glass of French Rose, hearing only French spoken in a very French Bistro.

 

 

Beez Neez and her new pal Club Med 2, who made her shudder when it pulled alongside to drop her anchor before dropping back to this position.

 

         

 

Late in the afternoon we swam off the back of the boat, watched the sunset and Club Med 2 put on a light show. Skipper surveying his kingdom.

 

 

 

 

ALL IN ALL an enjoyable day, tasting a little piece of France in the sunshine, our anchorage is particularly rolly, so we are off to Guadeloupe tomorrow morning.