We invite you on a trip back in time by visiting the Domaine Félicité, site of heritage that once belonged to the Swedish governor Norderling, the property was bought back by the Magras family as a family home until Alain and Arlette decided to make it a place of memory.
The tour of the domain located in Public will guide you through more than two centuries of retrospectives of an island that will never cease to fascinate visitors. History aficionados will be seduced by the relics and the multitude of documents, watercolors and photos that were collected from the Swedish era (1784-1878) to the present day. This is a gold mine of archives that retraces the significant periods and answers many questions like: Was there Slavery in St. Barth; What do we know about the Great Fire of 1852; Where did the first inhabitants of 1648 come from; What were their surnames?
This family tree is a real feat, tracing the family relationships of the Magras through several generations! Have fun searching for your acquaintances or the island’s Presidents...
The visit continues with a stroll through the rocks and ruins of the Swedish era and its ornamental garden of nearly 250 Caribbean species that have characterized the economy (indigo, tobacco, cotton, pineapple), medicinal plants, aromatics while not forgetting the fruit trees (custard apple, cashew apple, soursop). Each of the Creole «cases» of the Domain recalls a specific theme of the island.
Let yourself be overwhelmed by the documentation on schools at the beginning of the 20th century and the works realized by Father Irénée de Bruyn, the mineralogical richness of the island, the Arawak and Caribbean tools, the local handicraft, the room dedicated to the merchant ships and sailors... all these collections are enhanced by many unusual objects and family memories! Passionate, your hosts will make you spend an enriching moment full of anecdotes about the island and the Saint-Barths in this emotional place.
Pictures: Jeanne Le Menn
