Quartier d'Orléans
The oldest French settlement on the island, on the eastern side.
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Quartier d'Orléans on the eastern side is the oldest French settlement on Saint Martin, known locally as French Quarter, a village of low houses along the road with a strong Creole character and a working life that has little to do with tourism. Roland Richardson, the island's best known painter, has his studio here. The Butterfly Farm and Le Galion are nearby. The village was settled in the seventeenth century, well before Marigot, and its street plan reflects that age. It sits close to the Dutch border on the eastern side of the island.
What you actually see
- The oldest settlement - the first French village on the island.
- The Creole village - low houses and a working local character.
- The artist's studio - Roland Richardson's house and gallery.
- The eastern position - a village away from the tourist coasts.
When to go
December to April is the high season. Hurricane season runs June to November. The studio keeps limited opening days.
Honest expectations
There is little arranged for visitors and the village is workaday. The studio opens on limited days. Hurricane damage took years to repair.
Nearby
Le Galion is north, and Oyster Pond is south.
What to pack for Quartier d'Orléans
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.