Duty-free shopping is available in St. Bart's with bargains to be found in jewelry, French perfumes, imported liquors, porcelain, designer sportswear and cosmetics. Be aware that the shops often close from noon until two O'clock and many on Wednesday afternoon.

Bring home one of St. Bart's famous fine wide-brim beach hats or other intricate straw items made by the ladies of Corossol, a small fishing village located on the west coast. At La Boutique Couleur des Iles find blouses hand-embroidered with images of the island flora and fauna. Call the Office de Tourism at 27-87-27 to find information on the studios of the island's local artists.

Shops are clustered in La Savane Commercial Center located across from the airport, Espace Neptune on the road to Lorient and La Villa Créole in St. Jean. The boutiques located in these centers offer the latest in French and Italian sportswear and haute-couture goods. While the prices may seem astonishing they are considered far below European prices.

For jewelry, stop at L'Atelier de Fabienne in Gustavia for unique gold items. Diamond Genesis/Kornérupine handcrafts it's jewelry on the premises along with offering an exclusive selection of watches by Corum and Jaeger Lecoultre. Little Switzerland has good buys on luxury goods with prices 15% to 20% below that found in the states along with the duty-free status.

Be sure to stop at La Cave de Saint-Barth in Marigot and La Cave du Port Franc on Rue de la République in Gustavia for a fine selection of French wines stored in their climate-controlled cellars. Don't forget a cigar for the connoisseur back home from Le Comptoir du Cigare in Gustavia and La Casa del Habano in St. Jean.

guide   books

Frommer's Portable St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla & St. Barts (Frommer's... by Jordan S. Simon (Paperback) - Usually ships in 24 hours

Until Our Last Breath: A Holocaust Story of Love and Partisan Resistance by Michael Bart, Laurel Corona (Hardcover) - Usually ships in 24 hours