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Balenbouche Estate Activities & Events
Balenbouche offers guided tours of the plantation and historic buildings, and meals by reservation. The history of Balenbouche spans over 1500 years. A collection
of artefacts, as well as rock basins and petroglyphs on the banks
of the Balenbouche river, tell of the ancient Amerindian culture. The 18th century sugar mill was part of one of the most extensive operations in the south of the island. Visit our history
page for more info on Balenbouche's fascinating history.
We are generally open 7 days a week from 9
am to 6 pm. You may visit the Estate
on a self guided tour any time. For guided tours, please call in advance 1(758) 4551244
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St. Lucia Wedding packages
Balenbouche is the perfect intimate wedding venue. You decide how you want to create
that special occasion - and we'll help you realize your dream. Read
more about our all inclusive St. Lucia wedding
packages and visit our events photo gallery
Group Retreats
Balenbouche hosts family reunions, yoga and artist retreats, field schools, and other
activities. We can sleep up to 14 guests, additional rooms can be booked at a nearby guesthouse.
The Balenbouche Jazz Festival
For many years, Balenbouche
Estate hosted "Jazz in
the South"one of the popular opening shows of the Annual st Lucia Jazz Festival, organized by Labowi Promotions |
Artist Retreats
The natural beauty, architecture, artifacts and artwork at Balenbouche inspire artists from around the world. Our region, Choiseul, is known for its traditional st Lucia craft. Activities include workshops with local artisans and students, artist retreats, and exhibitions. Visit our artists page
Volunteers
A property like Balenbouche Estate requires constant care and maintenance. Balenbouche invites retired professionals and skilled individuals to contribute their time and expertise in during the off season months from September to mid November, during which time we normally close for renovations. Please visit our volunteers page or contact us for more information!
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Community Involvement
Balenbouche Estate has special arrangements with community members to plant gardens, graze
cattle, produce charcoal, and harvest coconuts and other crops on the plantation
at little or no cost. We also have a sharecropping agreement with a group of organic farmers, and support local products whenever we can. Several charitable and educational
events are hosted on the property every year. Numerous schools and clubs visit the Estate.
To find out more, visit our activities and events page.
Balenbouche was one of the founding members of the Choiseul Association of Tourism Craft and Heritage (CATCH) which helps identify, protect, develop and market attractions
and traditional activities in the rural community of Choiseul, It also increases awareness
on heritage and development issues, and seeks to empower community members. |
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Hearts and Hands in Handicraft
Once a week, Balenbouche Estate organizes a workshop with artisans from the St. Lucia National Council of and for People with Disabilities. Items made focus on creating functional items using natural materials such as driftwood, shells, coconuts, stone and bamboo. The art and craft is for sale at Balenbouche and by special order.
Environmental Sustainability
No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used on the Estate, and organic
waste is composted. Water is used sparingly, and complemented with rainwater and river water. Instead of using energy-intensive
air conditioning, all our buildings are cooled through natural ventilation.
Our hot water is heated through solar energy and we recycle whenever we can. Along
with the other members of the Heritage Tourism Association of st Lucia, Balenbouche Estate is in the process of implementing an
Environmental Management System (EMS). In the future, we hope to be able to use more alternative energies and become largely self-sufficient. |
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Conservation
Recovering, documenting and preserving the history and historical legacy of Balenbouche
is an ongoing and challenging task . The 19th century st Lucia Plantation House and other historic structures require constant repairs. The 200 year-old water canal is painstakingly maintained
to supply water to the farm, as well as for its historic significance. Several archeological projects have taken place at Balenbouche, and we have a sizeable collection of artifacts. In the near future, we hope to restore one of the
historic buildings on the Estate to house a small interpretation center
and art gallery.
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Research, Education
and Training
We host ongoing field schools and internships,
as well as st Lucia community
service programs, workshops and seminars.
Recent projects have included:
Global Routes Summer Program for High school students, United States
Archeological Field School: Colonial landscape of st Lucia, University of Bristol,
UK
College Summer Course, Art, Hartwick College, New York
Internships (Agriculture, Historical Research, Tourism and Hospitality)
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Heritage Tours - Explore st Lucia
Explore the island's many exciting natural, cultural,
and historical attractions - plantations, rainforest hikes, turtle
watching, bird watching, archeological sites, botanical gardens,
coastal hikes, cultural tours and more. To book a st Lucia Heritage Tour, e-mail heritas@candw.lc or call
our office at 1 (758) 458-1454 Our tour desks are located at the Pointe Seraphine Cruise Ship Port 1 (758) 451-6220/451-6967and the La Place Carenage Cruise Ship Port 1 (758) 451-6058/458-1587 |
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(HERITAS) Heritage Tourism Association of St Lucia
HERITAS is an independent grouping of heritage sites and attractions and related institutions, which seek to develop,
protect and promote the st Lucia Heritage Sites and the country's
natural and cultural resources. For more information, contact the HERITAS Office in
Castries, Tel: 1 (758) 458-1454, heritas@candw.lc |
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The st Lucia Heritage Tourism Program (SLHTP) is funded
by the European Union and the Government of st Lucia and seeks to bring
the benefits of tourism to rural communities and to promote
responsible tourism practices on the island. The SLHTP office is located on the 3rd floor, Sir Stanislaus James Building, The Waterfront, Castries, P.O. Box CP5710, Castries, st Lucia
Tel. (758) 451-6220 or (758) 451-6967, Fax (758) 451-6940, sluheritage@candw.lc |
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.Saltibus Waterfall and Rainforest
Trail
This 1 1/2 to 3 hour moderate st Lucia Rainforest Hike begins in the community
of Saltibus (20 minute drive) and gradually leads
into deep rainforest vegetation, where the Saltibus Falls offer a welcome refreshment.
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The Trail is managed and maintained by the Saltibus Tour guide Association,
and the st Lucia Forestry Department. All hikes must be accompanied by a guide. Contact Delia at 1 (758) 287-6438 or Balenbouche Estate 1 (758) 455-1244 to schedule a trip.
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Laborie
Laborie is a picturesque st Lucia fishing village about a 15 minutes drive from
Balenbouche, with a beautiful calm beach and a magnificent
viewing point (Morne La Blanc). Two restaurants are located on the way to Laborie, "Debbie's" and "The Seafood restaurant." For more information on Laborie, contact the Laborie Development Committee. |
Choiseul
The Choiseul region is rich in natural, cultural and historical resources and known for its traditional art and craft. Highlights
include the La Pointe Carib settlement, the Morne Sion sugar mill,
the River Doree area (see above) and the Saltibus Trail (see above).
These St Lucia attractions are affiliated with the Choiseul Association for Tourism, Craft and Heritage
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River Doree sugar mill and Devil’s Bridge
East of Balenbouche Estate near Anse Touloulu beach (15 min walk) ancient sugar mill ruins are hidden amongst the forest. If you hike upstream, you will eventually reach the legendary st Lucia Devil’s Bridge, which spans a narrow river canyon of over 50 feet.
Windsurfing and Skyriders Kite surfing
Island Windsurfing Ltd.
Vieux Fort, Point de Sables
Contact: Cecile Walker
www.slucia.com/windsurf
windsurf@slucia.com |
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