The Collectivity of Saint-Martin, in partnership with the Conservatoire du littoral, has initiated in recent years a concerted development project for the Baie de l'Embouchure.
The first phase of work carried out in 2016, first of all made it possible to demolish the ruins of the former Hôtel du Galion in order to restore an entirely virgin and preserved space to the population. The Collectivity now intends to launch the second phase of the project, which consists of developing this natural site.
The land part of Galion Bay is an unbuildable natural area, property of the Conservatoire du Conservatoire du littoral. The Collectivity of Saint-Martin took over management by agreement on December 9, 2019, and is currently supervising the development project, funded to the tune of € 374 by the Coastal Conservatory and the State.
Wishing to enhance this exceptional space and restore the site to its natural beauty, the Collectivity and the Conservatory have decided to relaunch this development project initially created by the municipality.
In 2017, the new term of office and the services of the Sustainable Development Pole therefore worked on a new development focused on an eco-responsible and ecotouristic development of the site.
Several meetings with the inhabitants of the sector and the District Council n ° 1 have taken place in recent months, in order to explain the content of the project and the issues relating to the preservation of these natural spaces.
Activity zones consistent with the location have been identified by the Collectivity, which provides for the following arrangements:
- The creation of new parking areas for buses, cars and bicycles in order to better serve the site which covers approximately 300 hectares
- Creation of information points
- A seaside area with nature discovery activities
- The creation of small reception bases for nautical activities,
- The creation of a salt museum with places to walk in nature
- The creation of different routes: health, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and hiking.
- The creation of 7 observation points, picnic and rest areas, installed at different places of natural interest.
All these arrangements are made with strict respect for the environment.
Project timeline:
In July 2019, the Coastal Conservatory launched the first call for tenders for the carrying out of development work on the bay of the Embouchure and more particularly on the Galion site.
- Site cleaning: brush clearing, removal of dead trees, destruction of concrete walls, removal of rubble and various waste.
- Road works to prevent off-road traffic
- Exterior landscaping works (signage, directional markings, loop piles)
Since this first phase of work began in January 2020, the site has been stopped several times by fishermen, then neighborhood associations. The Collectivity met the complainants and assured them of its desire to preserve the site, protect the mangroves and allow free access to the public. A point that the Collectivity has always supported, the Galion having vocation to remain a natural site accessible to all, without construction or large-scale tourist development.
The vast majority of the inhabitants of the area understood the environmental interest of such a project for the Mouth Bay area, which stretches from Oyster-Pond to the fish pond on Orient Bay, and the importance of showcasing the Galion site, long neglected.
The urgency today to finalize the project is to be able to carry out the site restoration work, initiated in 2019 (phase 1). Once this work is completed, a second phase is planned with the construction of traditional picnic huts, the dressing of the garbage can, the installation of a playground for children, the creation of playgrounds. beach volleyball and a plantation campaign.
The Collectivity and the Coastal Conservatory are now counting on common sense and the understanding of all to finalize the development of Galion as soon as possible. This is about an achievement for the benefit of the Saint-Martin population as a whole, who appreciate this site and have come regularly with their families for several decades.
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