La Dauphine Estate, an old cocoa plantation dating back to the 18th century is situated in the hills, four miles from the picturesque colonial town of Soufriere in the shadow of the Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 75-acre family plantation produces bananas, cocoa, coconuts, citrus fruits, nutmeg and a variety of flowers and vegetables. La Dauphine Great House and Chateau Laffitte, two estate houses located in the heart of this tropical plantation nestled in a lush green hillside surrounded by luxuriant gardens, fragrant with exotic flowers. Gabriel Laffitte M.B.E., a banker and member of the colonial government of Saint Lucia, originally built the La Dauphine Great House in 1890.
La Dauphine Great House is the main plantation house adorned with decorative gingerbread fretwork, jalousie windows and wooden shutters. The house has been refurbished to combine old colonial charm with all modern conveniences and is suitable for couples, families and small groups. It has 4 bedrooms including an attic bedroom, 2 full & 2 half bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and has a large wrap around verandah with hammocks and swing chairs. Chateau Laffitte, the old estate overseer’s house on the plantation has been lovingly restored and consists of two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen & dining room and a verandah and is perfectly suited for couples and small families.
A large swimming pool with water cascading from the edges surrounded flowering plants and fruit tress serves both houses. A stone and wooden decking next to the swimming pool has outdoor teak loungers, umbrellas and dining tables and chairs to relax and enjoy the peace, tranquility and abundance of nature. Nichola’s Highroad is the main nature trail on the plantation which allows you to explore and indulge in the surrounding nature with a guided tour or at your own pace, reaching elevated plateaus with spectacular views of the rainforest, countryside, sea and the breathtaking Pitons.
The Housekeeper for La Dauphine Great House and Chateau Laffitte provides full housekeeping and cooking services daily. We can offer breakfast only or breakfast and dinner prepared by Antonia, during your stay at La Dauphine Estate. The Estate Manager can give a free plantation tours, teaching how the various crops are grown and processed (including the cocoa and chocolate production), give guidance for hiking along the nature trails on the plantation and together with Antonia assist with sightseeing, activities and tours to the many surrounding attractions.
...going back in time and relaxing in a hammock, swing chair or swimming pool in an unspoiled, peaceful setting, surrounded by an explosion of nature.
...reaching out and picking breakfast from the orange, grapefruit, and mango trees growing into the verandah or along the hiking trails in the hills above the houses.
...lying in a bed or a hammock in the verandah being caressed by cool mountain breezes looking out to one of the Pitons, half-mile high mountains once worshipped as Amerindian Gods and now a World Heritage Site.
...eating a tasty Creole meal with fresh vegetables and herbs grown on the plantation and prepared at the house by the housekeeper or dining out at the restaurants nearby with its breathtaking "worldviews" perched between the Pitons 1400 feet above sea level.
...touring the plantation with the estate manager and learning how the crops and flowers are grown and processed or hiking along the nature trails. Stopping at look out points in the hills above the houses with spectacular views of the Pitons, surrounding countryside and Caribbean Sea.
...learning the process of turning cocoa to chocolate, a bean to bar experience and indulging in the exquisite dark chocolate bars made from cocoa from the plantation.
...bathing in the black waters and mud baths of a volcano, under a hot waterfall or in therapeutic mineral baths surrounded by the lush green canopy of nature teeming with fauna & fauna.
...hiking in the rainforest finding hidden waterfalls and rivers or walking though the remnants of a volcanic crater with clouds of steam rising from the boiling cauldrons.
...climbing the Gros Piton feeling that sense of accomplishment when the summit is reached 2500 feet above sea level with breathtaking 360 views of our spectacular island.
...snorkeling or scuba diving below in the crystal clear waters of the Anse Chastantet or Jalousie marine parks, a complete, exciting underwater world, alive with a host of wonderful creatures.
...lying back and relaxing on Jalousie beach under the hot tropical sun, warm balmy breezes stir the palm fronds, then cooling off with a swim into the sapphire blue Caribbean Sea with the awe inspiring Pitons towering above.
...picking tropical flowers for your loved one in same botanical garden that Superman flew to get lilies for Louis Lane.
La Dauphine Estate is close to all the attractions in the area:
Pitons, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sulphur Springs Park, Jalousie & Margretoute beaches, Piton & New Jerusalem Falls (both hot waterfalls), Diamond Falls and Botanical Gardens, Toraille Waterfall, Tet Paul Nature Trail, Fond Gens Libres and the Gros Piton Nature Trail & Climb, Anse Chastanet Marine Park and the Fond St. Jacques, Edmund and Enbas Saut rainforest and bird watching trails.ls.
As Villa Beach Cottages is jointly owned and managed with La Dauphine Estate we can create a two-centre holiday or combination stays in the north and south of the island, which would add a special dimension and adventure the holiday experience with the ability to explore different sites and attractions of this spectacular island. Special packages are available
Car rental is recommend for a stay at La Dauphine Estate (however for guests who do not want to hire a vehicle we can arrange a personalized taxi service during they stay on the plantation available at time for transfer to restaurants, sites and attractions). Coconut Car Rental offers the best rates for cars on island to our guests.
Driving times to La Dauphine Estate:
- From Hewanorra Airport (UVF) is 45 minutes
- From Soufriere town is 10 minutes
- From Villa Beach Cottage (Castries) is 1 hour & 30 minutes
- From G.F.L Charles Airport (SLU) is 1 hour & 35 minutes.
