Saint Jean is the liveliest and best served part of Saint Barth.
This is where you find the supermarket, the pharmacy, the bank and the gas station, and after Gustavia it has more restaurants than anywhere else on the island.
The beach, one of the finest here, is split by a headland: on one side the water stays shallow a long way out and suits children, on the other it opens up and belongs to the boards.
The airport runway ends at the edge of the sand, which gives you the most spectacular landing in the Caribbean and some daytime noise until sunset.
Allow ten minutes to the airport and to Gustavia, five to Lorient.
A villa rental in Saint Jean works best for a first visit and for families who want everything within walking distance.
