Laborie

Laborie is a small, unhurried fishing village on Saint Lucia's south coast, known for its genuine community life and quiet beaches. Set around a reef-protected bay between green hills and the Caribbean Sea, it offers a slower, more local alternative to the island's busier resort areas.

Laborie's history reaches back to the French colonial period, when it was called Quartier de l'Isle Caret after the loggerhead turtles found offshore. It was later renamed after Baron de Laborie, the French governor from 1784 to 1789, and developed around sugar estates, fishing and small farming. During World War II, American troops used Morne Le Blanc to protect the nearby airfield that became Hewanorra International Airport.

Today visitors can walk the village streets to see its wooden houses, century-old Catholic church and open-air market, then relax at Laborie Beach or nearby Rudy John Beach. The short climb up Morne Le Blanc gives panoramic views over the village, bay and coastline, while nearby Anse des Sables is another local beach option.

Fishing remains central to daily life, and the community is known for its steel pan orchestra, festivals and strong sense of identity. Former Saint Lucia Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy was born and raised in Laborie, and the village takes pride in its sports, agriculture, music and education.

Because it sits only a few kilometres from Hewanorra International Airport and the town of Vieux Fort, Laborie is a convenient base for travellers arriving in the south. It suits visitors seeking local culture, fresh seafood and easy access to the southern coast, Soufrière and the Pitons.