 Soufrière at the foot of the Pitons | ||
| Soufrière | ||
| District | Soufrière | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 7,380 in the larger parish | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 1463   | ||
| height | 5 m | |
| Tourist information Tel | 459-7419 | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Soufrière is a city in Saint Lucia.
background
Soufriere is famous - just like the island as a whole - for the two mountain cones, the “Pitons”. They are the remains of a collapsed volcano. There is not a single promotional film or brochure without pictures of these.
This place is the oldest settlement on the island, founded by the French around 1645 and received city rights in 1746. The island's first capital was located there. In 1775 there were 100 plantations around the place, most of which produced sugar or coffee. About 2,000 people lived in the community at the time. In 1780 a hurricane destroyed large parts of the village. During the French Revolution, a guillotine stood in front of the church in the market square. In 1839 and 1991 it was shaken by an earthquake. In 1842 there were 20 sugar mills in the municipality of Soufriere alone. In 1955 half the city was destroyed by fire. In 1994 there was another storm. In 3½ hours 30 cm of rain fell, rivers overflowing their banks destroyed houses and bridges. Today the place has about 4,000 residents. Bridge Street is the main street and this is where most of the shops can be found.
The next bay to the north is the Anse Chastanet with the hotel of the same name.
On the eastern outskirts with the district New Development adjoins a botanical garden with medicinal springs and a waterfall on the former Diamont Estate.
In the south you can drive your car into an active crater in which hot springs stink. This is the only navigable crater in the world. And right next to it are the landmarks of the island, the two mountain cones of the Pitons.
beaches
- Anse Chastanet, in the north of Soufriere. Black sand beach. Restaurant, bar, hotel, diving school, marine park, good diving area.
- Anse Mamin. Remote, small stretch of beach with larger rocks, to the north of Anse Chastanet, black sand, beach bar. This beach can only be reached by boat.
- Hummingbird Beach, south of Soufriere at the Hummingbird Beach Resort. Fine, white sandy beach with few trees, there is also a small parking lot.
- Venetian blind beach. Nice hotel beach, borders directly on the Pitons. A day pass costs EC $ 133, for which you receive a voucher for the restaurant, a deck chair and access to the toilets.
- Malgretoute Beach, south of Soufriere. In the shadow of the smaller Piton is a palm-lined stretch of beach. The sand areas are not very large. There is a small restaurant there.
getting there
View of Soufrière and the beach
In the street
Soufriere is on the main road that runs along the west coast from Castries to Vieux Fort. This road is much worse than the main road on the east coast, with many tight curves, climbs and steep descents.
By boat
Soufriere is the entry point for sailing ships, Immigration authority: Soufriere Customs, at the port, Tel. 459-5656.
Water taxi
- Mystic Man Tours, Bay Street. Tel.: 459-7783, Fax: 457-1067. Water taxi to Marigot Bay and Castries for shopping.
mobility
Rental car
Gas stations
- Texaco - Cool Breeze, Waterfront. Tel.: 459-7220. Open: Mon - Sat 6.30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
taxi
- Soufriere Taxi Association, Market Road. Tel.: 459-5562.
- South Western Taxi Association. Tel.: 459-5740.
Tourist Attractions
- Diamond Botanical Garden, Diamond Estate, Soufriere. Tel.: 459-7155. Diamond Botanical Garden with waterfall and mineral bath. In 1784, the French island commander, Maréchal de Laborie, sent water samples to Paris. The doctors of Louis XVI. qualified it as medicinal water. At the source the water is boiling hot. The Diamond Estate is 1 mile from Soufriere. In 1932 the then owner Andre du Boulay restored and renewed the bathing facilities. When he died in 1983, his daughter Joan Devaux had the garden laid out in this way and made it accessible to the public. The waterfall creates fantastic rock discoloration because of the mineral deposits that occur there. Because of the contamination of the water with bilharzia parasites, you cannot bathe in this waterfall!Open: daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun holidays only until 3 p.m.Price: Entry for the baths 6.50 EC $, for the garden 7 EC $.
- Fond Doux Estate. Tel.: 459-7545. The Fond Doux Estate is located south of Soufriere between the two Pitons. This is a former plantation from the 19th century. The oversized gardens with historical ruins are now part of St. Lucia's Historical Tourism Program. There you can see the former sugar processing facilities, drying facilities for cocoa and a herb garden. There is a boutique and a restaurant there.Open: daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Guided tours of the garden start at 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. In addition, a full-day garden and country tour with a picnic starts at 10 a.m.
- Pitons. The Pitons are 750 and 798 meters high and parts of a former volcanic crater. The Gros Piton can be climbed relatively easily from the village of Gens Libre with a guide. The first half of the trail is still easy, the second half is steep and difficult. The Gros Piton Guides Association can be reached under the telephone number 489-0136. The smaller Piton should only be climbed by a very experienced hiker.
- Soufriere Estate. Tel.: 459-7565. Today the plantation is only the remainder of a former 800 hectare piece of land, which King Louis XIV transferred to the Devaux family from the island of MARTINIQUE in 1713 as thanks for their good service. Between 1740 and 1742 the three Devaux brothers Phillipe, Henri and Guillaume settled on St. Lucia. They divided up the land and planted cotton, tobacco, coffee and cocoa for export. In 1765 a sugar mill and factories for rum production were built. In England they bought a huge water wheel. In 1780 the property was badly damaged by a hurricane. In 1785, Louis XVI. Money to build the Diamond Baths, a year later a large building with about a dozen bathing areas was completed under the direction of Baron de Laborie. In 1836 the then governor Dudley St. Leger Hill tried to renovate the then dilapidated baths, but received no permission from the owner to enter the country at all. Only the current landowner Andre du Boulay began with the gradual restoration. The sugar mill with an original water wheel was built in 1765. A small fee is charged for access to the plantation, bathing is free.
activities
fishing
Glass boat
golf
- Venetian blind Hilton Golf. Tel.: 459-7666. 3-hole facility.Price: Club rent US $ 10. Non-hotel guests pay US $ 75 for a day pass.
Kayaks
Mountain bike tours
- Bike St. Lucia, Anse Chastanet. Tel.: 457-1400.
horse riding
- Trekkers, Morne Coubaril Estate. Tel.: 459-7340.
Diving
Whale observations
hikes
- Torraille Falls, Ravine Torraile. Tel.: 459-7527, 459-5911. The Torraile River flows east of Soufriere between Mount Gimie and Mount Tabac. Access to the waterfall was made possible by the owners. He falls 15 m deep over a rock edge into a basin. The hiking trail is one of St. Lucia's nature tourism attractions. Access costs 5 EC $.
- En Bas Saut waterfall, east of Soufriere. First you can drive by car via Ravine Claire to Fond St. Jacques, then on a hideous path to the tree line. The long hiking trail is steep, but there are some well-crafted steps. This hike should only be done by experienced hikers with a lot of stamina. Guides are available Mon-Fri at a cost of US $ 10.
- Ravine Claire waterfalls, east of Soufriere. First you can drive by car via Ravine Claire in the direction of Fond St. Jacques. There are two more important waterfalls near the village of Ravine Claire. The 17 m high waterfall of Toraille is very popular, the Spike waterfall 5 km away is much quieter and more natural.Price: Admission: US $ 2.
- Grand magazine, east of Soufriere. Historic hiking trail. This is a relatively easy hiking trail with many views of the south of the island, in front of countless waterfalls and small lakes. One can hike all the way to the top of Mount Magazin mountain.
- Morne Tabac ascent. The mountain is 3½ km away from Soufriere. From there you have a breathtaking view over the bay, the valley and the village. This is the only place from which one can see the extent of the former volcano and the crater that collapsed about 40,000 years ago.
Yacht charter
shop
- Eroline's Foods, Church Street. Tel.: 459-7125. Food.Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Vegetable and fruit market, at the harbor, next to the police station. Open: Sa 6.30 a.m. - 10.00 a.m.
- The Image Tree, Town Square. Tel.: 459-5595. Souvenirs, handicrafts.Open: Mon - Sat 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., in the season also Sun 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Ultra Mart, Arthur Louis Street. Tel.: 457-1261. Groceries, supermarket.Open: Mon - Sat 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sun 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
shopping mall
- Excelsior Plaza Mall, Bridge Street and Frederick Street. Tel.: 457-1485, Fax: 457-1731. 2 floors: pharmacy, 3 boutiques, Digicel - mobile telephony, drugstore, handbags, internal café, children's clothing, photo shop, jewelry shop.
kitchen
- Beacon restaurant, West Coast Road, north of Soufriere. Mobile: 715-8660. National cuisine.Open: daily 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Captain Hooks Restaurant. Tel.: 459-7365. Open: Mon - Sat 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.Price: 5-course menu 65 EC $.
- Eat-On Café, Restarant & Bar, New Development. Tel.: 457-1418, Fax: 457-1187. Creole.Open: daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., in the season 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Fedo's, Lower Church Street. Tel.: 459-5220. National cuisine, cheap, cash only.Open: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Mango Tree Restaurant & Bar, Vieux Fort Road, Stonefield Estate. Tel.: 459-7037. Creole, expensive.Open: daily 7.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Martha's table, Road to Jalousie Beach. Creole.
- Skipper's Bistro, Bridge Street next to Archie's. Open: daily 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., bar until 2 a.m.
- Steve's Place, 9 Market Road. Tel.: 459-5048.
Hotel restaurants
- Anse Chastanet Resort. Tel.: 459-7000. Emeralds, vegetarian; Treehouse Restaurant, Caribbean; Trou au Diable, beach restaurant; Jungle Beach Bar & Grill, open: daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Piti Piton Lounge, bar.
- Fond Doux Plantation Resort. Tel.: 459-7545. Cocoa Pod, open: breakfast 7.30 a.m. - 11.00 a.m., lunch 11.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m., evening 6.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.; Jardin Cacao, a la carte restaurant, lunch and dinner.
- Venetian blind Hilton Resort, Forbidden Beach. Tel.: 459-7666. Bayside Bar & Grill, West Indian, Quick Meals; Plantation Room, international, very expensive; The Pier, Fish, Creole, Expensive; Veranda Restaurant & Café; Palm Court Piano Bar.
- Ladera Resort. Tel.: 459-7323. Dasheene Restaurant, West Indian, expensive, open: breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., evening 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; T'cholit bar.
- Mago Estate Hotel, West Coast Main Road. Tel.: 459-5880. Jungle Restaurant & Bar, Mago, French, expensive.
- Stonefield Estate Villa Resort. Tel.: 459-5648. Bamboo Bar, Tel. 459-7037.
- The Hummingbird Beach Resort, Main Road. Tel.: 459-7232. Bamboo Beach Bar, Beach Bar, Bar-Be-Que; Lifeline Bar, Creole, Expensive; The Humming Bird, gourmet restaurant, very expensive.
accommodation
- Anse Chastanet Resort ***. Tel.: 459-7000, Fax: 459-7700. 49 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, pool, boutiques, tennis court, table tennis, diving school, wellness center, 2 beaches, sailing, surfing. No children under 4 years. Location: on a former plantation, 2 km from Soufriere.Price: In summer: single / double room 210-555 US $; in winter: single / double US $ 380-918.
- Fond Doux Plantation Resort. Tel.: 459-7545, Fax: 459-7790. 10 cottages, 2 restaurants, bar, pool.Price: In summer: Cottage 150-350 US $; in winter: Cottage US $ 200-500. Rental prices plus 10% tax.
- Venetian blind Hilton Resort ****, Forbidden Beach. Tel.: 456-8000, 459-7976, Fax: 459-7667. 65 villas, 35 villa suites and 12 rooms. All inclusive hotel. 4 restaurants, 4 bars, pool, evening entertainment, car rental, boutiques, fitness center, golf, kids club, squash, 4 floodlit tennis courts, wellness center, beach, sailing, diving, water skiing. Each villa with its own pool. Location: 4 km from Soufriere.Price: In summer: Villa 250-425 US $, Suite 450 US $; in winter: villa US $ 400-625, suite US $ 650. Rental prices for overnight stay plus taxes.
- Ladera Resort ***, Rabot Estate. Tel.: 459-6600, Fax: 459-5156. 23 suites and 9 villas, restaurant, bar, 2 pools, boutique, wellness center. Location: 335 m above sea level, 3 km from Soufriere.Price: In summer: Suite 380-535 US $, Villa 840 US $; in winter: Suite 615-805 US $, villa 1,075 US $. Rental prices include breakfast, plus 18% tax.
- La Haut Plantation, La Haut Estate. Tel.: 459-7008, Fax: 459-5975. 5 rooms and 1 cottage, restaurant, 2 pools, boutique, gym.Price: In summer: single 80-175 US $, double 100-200 US $, cottage 175 US $; in winter: single 150-225 US $, double 175-275 US $, cottage 250 US $. Rental prices include breakfast and taxes.
- Mago Estate Hotel, West Coast Main Road. Tel.: 459-5880, Fax: 459-7352. 12 rooms and suites, restaurant, bar, pool, yoga.Price: In summer: single / double room 200-280 US $, suite 312-380 US $; in winter: single / double room 250-350 US $, suite 390-475 US $. Rental rates include breakfast, plus 10% service and 8% government tax.
- Stonefield Estate Villa Resort. Tel.: 459-5648, Fax: 459-5550. 20 villas, restaurant, bar, pool, 16 villas with private pool, beach with beach bar. Location: on 10 hectares of plantation.
- The Downtown Hotel, Bridge Street and Frederick Street. Tel.: 457-1485, Fax: 457-1731. 18 rooms and suites.Price: All year round: single / double room 70-85 US $, suite 95-110 US $. Rental prices including taxes.
- The Hummingbird Beach Resort, Main Road. Tel.: 459-7232, Fax: 459-7033. 10 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, boutique, boat moorings, beach.
- The Still Plantation Beach Resort, Anse Chastanet Road. Tel.: 459-7224, Fax: 459-7301. 19 apartments and studios. Restaurant open from 8 am to 4 pm, bar, pool, boutique, location: on the eastern outskirts, 1.1 km from the port, on a 1.6 km² plantation.Price: In summer: Studio 55 US $, Apartment 85 US $; in winter: studio US $ 60, apartment US $ 95. Rental prices per room plus 18% tax.
health
doctors
- Soufriere Clinic. Tel.: 457-1144, Fax: 457-1145. Private hospital, part of the Tapion Hospital in Castries.
Pharmacies
- MC drugstore, Excelsior Mall. Tel.: 458-8159.
Practical advice
Banks
- Bank of St. Lucia, Bridge Street. Tel.: 456-6000, Fax: 459-7101. Open: Mon - Thu 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
International money transfers
- Western Union, c / o Hippos Market, Bridge Street. Tel.: 459-7956. Open: Mon - Sat 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
information
- Tourist Information Center, Bay Street. Tel.: 459-7419.
police
administration
- Soufriere Customs, at the port. Tel.: 459-5656.
miscellaneous
- Soufriere Post Office. Tel.: 459-7357.
- Mobile telephony. Tel.: 457-1845.
trips
- Camilla Alcindor, 7 Bridge Street. Tel.: 459-7316.
- M&A Soufriere Sightseeing Tours, 4 Edward Street. Tel.: 459-7070.
