How to find Autour du Rocher

[puablo]

I just went to St. Barths in a Buffett pilgrimage, and one of the key things I wanted to find was Autour du Rocher. What stunned me was how hard it was to find information on it online, ie. does it still exist, can you get there, is it private property now, etc. The closest I found was the GPS coordinates, 17°54'32.76"N, 62°49'42.82"W, but listening to the song and looking up Google Earth made it obvious that it was between St. Jean and Lorient in St. Barths. So when I got there, I had no idea if I would really find it.

Oh, but I did.

Turns out it is really easy to get to. It's easily walkable, not on private property, overlooking Lorient Beach. Here's how to get there:

Step 1: Fly to St. Barths. Have fun with that part!
Step 2: Go to Lorient beach. It's east of St. Jean, which you can't miss, since that's the beach at the end of the runway for the airport.
Step 3: On Lorient, turn left (west) and you can already see Autour on the hill. Follow the beach to the end of its western side.
Step 4. There is a very obvious stone path up the hill, there are even stone steps a few feet from the beach. Follow the path up the hill.
Step 5. Enter the hallowed halls of Autour du Rocher, bring your iPod & speakers, and blast Jimmy's song from the top of the hill.

I recorded the experience and posted it at . It felt like I was on an archaeological dig or something. Autour looks pretty good for burning down 20 years ago!

*By the way, Le Select has phenomenal cheeseburgers!

[popcornjack]

cool! I'll have to watch the video when I get home from work.

[ScarletB]

Did you see the carvings on what looked to have been the bar? We left some there in 09 when we were there for the Le Select concert - and there were a lot fewer floor tiles there when we left as well.
It's very cool when you think about the history of the place.

[dnw]

That was great! Thanks for sharing.

[puablo]

There's a lot of graffiti and carvings, and amusingly the one that stood out to me the most was one that said roughly "BuffettNews '09" on the wall to the left of the bar. I really can't believe how well this place has stood up to the elements and time. If I didn't know better I would have said it burned down only 6 months ago.

[puablo]

For you real Buffett fiends out there, we also went to Anguilla on this trip, inspired by the 2007 DVD, went to the Dune preserve and saw Bankie Banx live, met him and told him how we came to see him after seeing the Buffett DVD. Really cool guy, amazing location to see live music, and a fantastic island!

[ScarletB]

There's a lot of graffiti and carvings, and amusingly the one that stood out to me the most was one that said roughly "BuffettNews '09" on the wall to the left of the bar. I really can't believe how well this place has stood up to the elements and time. If I didn't know better I would have said it burned down only 6 months ago.

I wonder who did that one?? Mine says PD "hearts" JB 11/09 and MacPhin put one on the bar too but it took me so long to do mine I can't remember what she wrote.

[MacPhin]

Puablo, we were just there. got back on the 21st. I was the one that wrote Buffettnews '09 on the wall at Autour..Also, our names next to it. See my pic below of me and my better, funnier half, Tag. We were in the front row at Anguilla with some other New'ers. You can see me singing the Lyrics of Autour in the video. Too bad we didn't know each other was on SHB.

By the way, JoJo/Zen Eat in Lorient has much better burgers and fries than Select. However, one must go there to experience Select and watch the world go by.

[puablo]

Puablo, we were just there. got back on the 21st. I was the one that wrote Buffettnews '09 on the wall at Autour..Also, our names next to it. See my pic below of me and my better, funnier half, Tag. We were in the front row at Anguilla with some other New'ers. You can see me singing the Lyrics of Autour in the video. Too bad we didn't know each other was on SHB.

By the way, JoJo/Zen Eat in Lorient has much better burgers and fries than Select. However, one must go there to experience Select and watch the world go by.

We were in St. Barths from the 25th through 28th, we went to Le Select every day (four times). Loved it. That was one of my favorite places on the island behind Saline beach and Autour du Rocher. We ended up visiting Autour every day we were there, just took advantage of it while we could. Such a great place to visit, it may be full of somebody else's memories, but you can definitely feel the significance when you're there.

[catsway]

Excellent!

[drunkpirate66]

I went there years ago with a bunch of buddies from the USCG. It looks way different sober.

[ScarletB]

EXCELLENT! It was like being back there again! Thanks.

[Summerlover]

Nice video........ we just returned (hi Carol) and had a view of Autour from our villa. Of course no trip would be complete without a hike and toast at Autour.

Carol my charred remains made it back as well as a few more tiles. I have to get busy on that project for the tiki hut!!

St Barths is a special place for sure.

[Snowparrot]

Super! Thanks!
One day I'll get to St Barths!

[Karacal]

Loved the video!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[conched]

Thanks, puablo for sharing that. You DID rock around the rock. Love it!!!

[popcornjack]

I went there years ago with a bunch of buddies from the USCG. It looks way different sober.

I'm sure you've said that many a morning.

[drunkpirate66]

I went there years ago with a bunch of buddies from the USCG. It looks way different sober.

I'm sure you've said that many a morning.

Give me some credit. That is more of a weekly statement.

[puablo]

Thanks, puablo for sharing that. You DID rock around the rock. Love it!!!

We also brought an iPod & speakers and blasted Autour du Rocher and literally danced among the ashes. It felt like coming full circle.

[Bfan53again]

Excellent video......

I haven't made it to St. Barts yet, but this makes me want to go!

Thanks for sharing....