The 8 things to do in Castries

Are you going to visit Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia in the West Indies? Discover the 7 essential things to see and do on site!

The charming little town of Castries is the capital of Saint Lucia, this island of Petites-Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea. Port city, it is also the main commercial city of the island. Castries and its surroundings deserve to be visited, both for the Creole atmosphere that reigns there and for the beauty of the landscapes.

Flâner au marché, faire un peu de shopping ou faire des sorties direction la plage... The pretexts for a nice walk are not missing! Its relaxed atmosphere, its beautiful cathedral and colonial vestiges make it a destination of choice. This is also the starting point for most travellers arriving in Saint Lucia.

Are you wondering what are the main places to see when visiting Castries? Discover here our selection of must-sees!

1. The market of Castries

Who says to visit Castries, says take a gourmet break. The colourful market of Castries is ideal for diving into the Caribbean atmosphere and buying souvenirs. Built in 1891 to highlight the natural wealth of Saint Lucia, it has nearly 300 permanent vendors in its walls, not to mention the hundred street vendors that surround it on market days. For more than a century, its red roofs have been home to the typical products of the local or non-local Caribbean.

Fishermen, farmers, breeders and farmers come to sell their products directly under a large hallway. Among the tropical fruits and vegetables, bananas, pineapples, cristophines, mangoes, papaya, banana plantain, coconut are essentials. Also, do not miss the spices: curry, ginger, colombo, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, cocoa beans...

You can also enjoy a small creole dish prepared directly on site: grilled tuna steak, chicken cake, stuffed crab. If the Castries market is held daily, it really only animates on Saturday morning.

2. Vigie Beach

If you are on holiday in Saint Lucia, it is surely because you want to enjoy its wonderful beaches. You're right! The tropical climate of the island is tempered by the aisles all year round. The destination is pleasant throughout the year, especially for sunlight.

Also, one of the things that must be done in Castries is to enjoy Vigie Beach, a very pretty beach lined with palm trees. Here the sand is soft, the water is translucent and there is room to extend its towel. It is also ideal with children, because swimming is easy there. The palm trees offer beautiful shade areas. We can also rent sun loungers and lunch in its beach restaurants.

In addition, its proximity to the airport makes Vigie Beach a great place to take the water temperature as soon as you arrive!

3. Pointe Séraphine Shopping Complex

Want a shopping session? Go to Pointe Séraphine, the place to shop in duty free! A well-known North American ship on a cruise, we also meet Antillean. The place is tourist and there are plenty of souvenir shops. There is something to do, even if you will find more handicrafts in the Castries market.

Some shops also offer the famous cakes Tortuga Rum Cakes and spicy sauces typical of the island and the Antilles. The real thing is that all products are zero-taxed. This is the ideal place to buy luxury jewelry, cigarettes and alcohol. To benefit from the tax, you will need an ID and a return ticket. It is also possible to restore you on site. To go to the shopping mall, take the ferry (the Hippo ferry) that crosses the bay of Castries from the market to Pointe Séraphine.

Good to know: certain digital products are cheaper in Saint Lucia than in Europe.

4. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

It is the largest cathedral in the West Indies, and you will find it on the side of Derek Walcott Park. Founded in 1894, the Catholic building has since been raised as a minor basilica in 1992. Seat of the archdiocese of Castries, it is 61 meters long and 30 meters wide. The roof of the cathedral is made of wood on a metal frame. The interior consists of three naves and its walls are entirely decorated with frescoes. These represent biblical scenes and medallions of various archbishops. They are the work of local artist Dunstan Saint-Omer.

The decoration of the building has Caribbean and African influences. For example, a black virgin and a child are found. Saint Lucia, patron of the island of the same name, is represented just above the altar. On the walls, we can read tributes to missing persons, in French.

5. Place and park Derek Walcott

If you're visiting Castries, don't miss a walk around place Derek Walcott. In the heart of the city, next to the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, this park is a peaceful, ideal place to rest. Two statues sit in the middle of the square. These are the busts of two local Nobel Prize winners: Derek Walcott , Saint Lucian poet and novelist Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992 and Sir Arthur Lewis, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979. A little more to the east, enjoy the imposing shadow of a rainy tree (samanea saman) four centuries old.

Sit on a bench and watch the inhabitants come and eat on the thumb before taking over the work... A pretty kiosk completes the whole. It is used in concerts, such as Saint Lucia Jazz Festival . All around the park, old and colorful houses lend themselves to very beautiful pictures.

6. The hill of Morne Fortune

Founded in 1650 by the French, Castries bears the name of the Marshal of Castries, minister of the navy of Louis XVI. The city was built by a damier on Bananes Bay, at the foot of Morne Fortune hill. It is by climbing at the top of this hill, that you will also be referred to as the “High of Chance” that you will see the architecture of the city. To reach the top, at 845 metres above sea level, it is enough to take the narrow and winding road along the residential area and vegetation. On site you will find the original fortifications, old military buildings, canons and Fort Charlotte fortress.

But the most striking remains the panorama on the capital with the Caribbean Sea in the backdrop. The day, you can relax in this very green place, for example, during a picnic.

A tip: Don’t hesitate to come back in the evening, when the city sets lights!

7. The colonial houses of Castries

Visiting Castries is also strolling through its picturesque streets, looking for curiosities. While there are few to resist cyclones and fires, the old houses of the colonial era are to be seen absolutely. They can be found around Derek Walcott Square and the Cathedral. Colored and made of wood, they admire both for their architecture, balconies, and for their interior.

Take a look at Fort-de-France’s metal architecture. Don't miss the Central Library, a Victorian home dating back to 1925. Restored and all red bricks, it gives on Derek Walcott Square. On leaving the capital, stop taking a picture of the picturesque Government House, the governor's house. Built in 1895, in Victorian style, she first served as a residence for the British governors of the island and today welcomed the Governor General of Saint Lucia.

8. To do also around Castries

You just visited Castries and you're wondering what to do next to him? Why not opt for a snorkeling session in Toc Beach, a nearby beach where seabeds are conducive to observation with mask and tuba? A little further north, Rodney Bay also has beautiful beaches, such as Reduit Beach, ideal for water sports or water sports. From Castries, you can also go scuba diving to discover marine fauna and flora.

You understood it, all kinds of excursions await you!

How to get to Castries?

By plane from France

Saint Lucia has two airports, both served by public transport. The most important is Hewanorra International Airport. It is located in the South, in Old Fort, just over 50 km from Castries. Much closer, just ten minutes from the capital, George F. L. Charles Airport offers a regional air service. If you are staying in a hotel, the vast majority of them offer shuttles to the airport.

If you arrive from France, you will certainly stop at Fort-de-France in Martinique, and finally arrive at this airport. Otherwise, you also have the possibility of a direct flight from Great Britain. The best is to compare the prices offered using a ticket comparison as Ulysses .

By ferry from Martinique

By the sea, ferries regularly connect Martinique and the other islands of the Antilles to Saint Lucia. Shuttles travel between airports and Castries.

Once on site

Otherwise, once on site, several options allow you to move to Castries :

• Bus : a minibus network ensures public transport in most of the island’s corners and stops at the level of the cities’ markets. The rates are economic;
• Car rental : you can rent a vehicle upon arrival at the airport or port. However, you will need a temporary driving licence issued on site for approximately US$ 20;
• Taxi : Locate the vehicles with red color registration plates starting with “TX” and carrying a red macaron. The rates are fixed, but give yourself a good deal on the price before you start your race. Taxi boats also transport the passengers from the port to the nearby beaches of Castries.

Where to stay in Castries?

From its status as capital of Saint Lucia, Castries offers a wide range of tourist accommodations of all kinds. Depending on your budget, you will have the choice between guesthouses cheap, formulas all inclusive , high-priced boutique hotels and villas.

To find you there, don’t hesitate to visit one Compare hotels . Depending on your stay dates and your desires, you will see live which is the best option of the moment.

You're finally ready to visit Castries! All you need to do is take off and enjoy the city. Good trip!