Known island-wide as Saint Lucia’s craft capital, Choiseul carries a name derived from the English word “chosen” and a reputation locals take seriously — the district produces the bulk of the island’s traditional pottery, baskets, and woven crafts, much of it passed down through generations of women in the communities of Morne Sion and La Pointe, some of whom trace their heritage to the island’s last Carib descendants. Sugarcane was introduced to the island, Balenbouche and River Doree were two local estates established because of this development. The sugar mills on these two estates were powered by water which ran along aqueducts and cascaded onto paddles of the wheels forcing them around. At Balenbouche Estate the sugar mill can still be seen today. Alongside craft, farming and fishing form the backbone of daily life, and the district has a strong cooperative tradition, including one of the island’s earliest credit unions. It’s quiet, rural, and considerably more affordable than the tourist-dense north — appealing to buyers interested in land, agricultural property, or a genuinely local base with easy access to the island’s southern attractions.

Heading inland, there is a noticeable progressive change from the relatively dry coast to the lush rain forested mountains dissected by some of the most scenic river valleys found on the island. It seems nearly everyone in Choiseul has a garden and a variety of fruit trees. Real Estate here is less expensive than the neighbouring village of Soufrière with its iconic peaks and ridges and million dollar listings and five star resorts.