Travel Spotlight

5 Questions for Jocelyne Sibuet

Indagare asked tastemaker and the force behind Villa Marie on St. Barth’s and Maisons & Hotel Sibuet in France for tips on the French West Indies island.

 Contact Indagare to arrange a trip to St. Barth's or France Our dedicated Trip Designers can match you with the hotel that is right for you, plan great activities and secure reservations at the best restaurants. 

How long have you been going to St. Barth’s?

I visited St. Barth’s for the first time 25 years ago with my family. I have been totally enchanted by this island since.

What is your favorite thing to do on the island? I like to stay at Villa Marie Saint-Barth and enjoy the wonderful views across the island, be near the swimming pool or eat at Francois Plantation—it’s very peaceful. And, of course, the sunset from Villa Colombier (Villa Marie’s master pool villa). When I do not go to the beach or go boating, I like to stroll through the shops and enjoy the "So French" spirit of St. Barth’s. It reminds me of being at Villa Marie in St.Tropez.

Do you have a favorite shop, restaurant or activity? My favorite restaurant is Bonito. It is arranged like a beach house and it’s the best place for delicious Franco-Peruvian meals with a trendy ambience.
 My favorite shops are Baya Saint-Barth, for home décor, and Lolita Jaca, for fashion. Clic Gallery (by Christiane Celle), is great for contemporary photography, books, and home furniture, and  Bijoux de la Mer, for unique pearl jewelry.

Related: St. Barth’s: Where to Stay, Eat and Shop on the IslandWhat three things do you think every first-time visitor to St. Barth’s should do?

A short hike to swim in the natural pools at Petit Cul de Sac beach. Eating a fantastic picnic on Gouverneur Beach, delivered from Villa Marie Saint-Barth at lunch time. Enjoying the sunrise on the wild beach of Colombier (it’s only accessible by foot or boat, so it is normally very quiet).

What is your design and/or style philosophy? My design style changes according to the original spirit of the project. If the hotel is in Provence, I will keep the local style based on the Provençal culture and the hand-craft. I really want to keep the authenticity and the origins. We renovate all of our establishments with this philosophy, just like we do for our own houses, using the energy and the ambience of the place.

 Contact Indagare to arrange a trip to St. Barth's. Our dedicated Trip Designers can match you with the hotel that is right for you, plan great activities and secure reservations at the best restaurants. 

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