Laborie

Laborie sits on Saint Lucia's south coast in a sheltered bay, a fishing village of low wooden houses along a few streets with boats drawn up on the sand and a reef offshore taking the swell. It has stayed largely out of the tourism circuit, which is why the village functions as a village rather than as a frontage. A community tourism association runs walks and homestays. The village takes its name from a French governor of the eighteenth century and has changed remarkably little in plan since.

History

The village was first called l'Islet a Caret after the loggerhead turtles found there, and it was renamed after Baron de Laborie, French governor from 1784 to 1789, when it had 712 people. The Mico School opened in 1838 with 80 pupils and lasted until 1891, and the 18th-century church was replaced by a larger one begun in 1907 and opened in 1914 (Wikipedia, Laborie).

The main sights

• The fishing bay - boats drawn up on the sand in the sheltered water.
• The village streets - low wooden houses along a few roads.
• The reef - the offshore barrier keeping the bay calm.
• The community operation - the association running walks and homestays.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Fishing runs year round with landings in the morning. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Good to know

There is little arranged for visitors beyond the community association. Facilities are basic. The village is quiet and half a day covers it.

Nearby

Choiseul is west, and Vieux Fort is east.

Key facts