Saint Barthelemy island is both a French district and township owning and administrated by Department and Region building with Sint Maarten island a siege district of the under headquarter (established since 1963). There are 6848 inhabitants in Saint Barthelemy (1999). The administration is a town council about 29 members. Elected people represent departemental and regional assemblies.

District's mayor : Bruno MAGRAS
Regional Councillor : Nordleing MAGRAS
Head Councillor : Michel MAGRAS

PRATICAL INFORMATION

General picture Situated on the 17°55 North and 62°50 West, among the small West-Indies mountain, Saint Barthelemy "Saint Barth", for close friends, is rocked ans volcanic island, 25 km2 wide, surrounded with 15 original and wideless islands making  West-Indies landscape. Because of the beauty of beaches coves and spots, the depth of the sea, pure air and nice weather, you will enjoy visiting Saint Barthelemy.

ARRIVING ON ST. BARTH

▪         Via St.Maarten (Dutch side, Juliana Airport), the quickest and the least expensive.

▪         Via Pointe à Pitre :

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

Saint Barthelemy is a part of the Overseas Department of France, and is therfore under French law. All ECC citizens need a National Identity Card to enter the island ; a passport is required if you wish  to visit neighboring islands. U.S. ans Canadian citizens  are required to travel with a valid passport and return ticket. A sejour of 3 months is permitted on French Territory. No vaccinations is required. For those who wish to travel with pets, an International Health Certificate is obligatory. St. Barth is known for its security, and peacefulness. Arriving on St. Barth with any kind of weapon is strickly forbidden. If you are aboard a boat and are in possession of a weapon, you must declare it with the dockmaster.

RULES MOMENTO

            Main modification : Paraguay is no longer requiring visas, Synthetus if circulation rules for foreigners : people not requiring  to visa to enter the french over seas departments of Guadeloupe ans Saint Barthelemy island. All European Union nationals : Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Nertherland, Portugal, Great Britain, Sweden and Iceland, Liechstenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, Sint Maarten, Saint Siège, Switzerland. For all these nationalities showing an identity card is allowed. Other nationalities not requiring to have a visa but obliged to present a passport to enter these French territories : Argentina, Burnei, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, South Korea, Croatia, United States, Hungary, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czetch Republic, Uruguay. All the other nationalities are required  to have a visa to enter French territories. Nationals coming from third country and usually living in metropol or in the DOM, owning a current residential card are allowed to enter the French departments inclued the DOM, upon explanation of their trip. The other nationals from third countries have to show a trip ticket, with if possible, a visa if necessary, valid for the visited DOM. So the national foreigner card delivered by the Sint Maarten authority is not valid to enter Saint Barthelemy island, same as the American Green Card.

LANGUAGE AND CURRENCY

            Though the official language if St. Barth is french, English is widely used. The Euro is the primary currency. Dollars are accepted all aver. Electricity : 220 V, 60 Hz.

TIME

            There is a 5 hour time difference between St. Barth and Paris except in the summer when there is a 6 hour difference. There is a one hour time difference with New York during the winter an no difference in summer.

TELEPHONE

            To call France : dial the phone number. To call the United States : dial 00.1. followed the code for the state. To call St. Maarten (Dutch side) dial 00.599.54. Dial direct for the French side of St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, and for Martinique dial 0596.

TAXI / CAR RENTALS

            Taxis and car rentals can be found at the airport 0590.27.75.81 ans Gustavia 0590.27.66.31.

GAS STATIONS

▪         St. Jean (Galeries du Commerce). Hours : 7:30 am. to 5 pm. Close Sunday. Credit card operated self-service pump available 24 hours.
Tel. 0590.27.60.38.

         ▪         Lorient : Hours : 7:30 am. to 5 pm. Closed Thursday and Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Tel. 0590.27.62.30.

BOATS

Quai Jeannes d'Arc, Public. Hours : on.-Fri. 8 am. to 2h45 pm. Sat : 8 am. to 11.45 am. Tel. 0590.27.75.75.

BANKS    

▪         B.F.C. Rue du Général de Gaulle, Gustavia. Tel. 0590.27.62.62
▪         B.F.C. Les Galeries du Commerce, St. Jean. Tel. 0590.27.65.88
▪         B.N.P. Rue de la République, Gustaiva. Tel. 0590.27.63.70
▪        Crédit Agricole. Rue du Bord de Mer, Gustavia. Tel. : 0590.29.80.50
▪         La BRED. La Savane. Tel. 0590.52.06.00