Located along St Martin's northwestern tip, Terres Basses (or "lowlands" in French) is a gated community known for its calm atmosphere, low-density estates, and some of the island’s best beaches. With their privacy, scale, and design-forward style, Terres Basses villas stand out as some of the most exclusive luxury stays on St Martin.
Like the rest of Saint Martin (St Martin’s French side), Terres Basses was once tied to the island’s sugar and salt economies. Over time, the area became prized for its natural beauty, and development restrictions helped preserve the landscape by limiting density.
Today, Terres Basses villas blend into that environment while delivering standout amenities. Depending on the property, you can expect features like infinity pools, private gyms, home cinemas, game rooms, and expansive indoor-outdoor living.
Booking a luxury villa in Terres Basses is simple with Rental Escapes. Choose your travel dates and party size, and your Villa Specialist will present the best available Terres Basses villas for your group. From there, your Concierge can arrange transportation, chef service, boat charters, excursions, and more.
Terres Basses is the French side’s most exclusive villa enclave. It’s gated, low-density, and built around privacy, which is why many of the island’s most iconic estates are located here.
Compared to busier areas like Orient Bay, Terres Basses offers a quieter, more residential feel. And compared to harbor-side escapes like Anse Marcel, it’s more beach-forward, with direct access to long stretches of sand.
Terres Basses is the right choice if your priorities are estate-scale space, beachfront living, and a villa-first experience: long beach days at Plum Bay or Baie Longue, sunset swims at Baie Rouge, and private dinners at home with chef service or pre-stocking arranged by your Concierge.
Terres Basses is especially well-suited to families, multi-generational groups, and travelers who want the island’s best villas without resort density.
Terres Basses is a master-planned, gated peninsula where estates are spaced far apart and set behind lush landscaping. Unlike denser parts of the island, homes here are positioned for privacy, scale, and uninterrupted sightlines to the sea.
Villas are spread across beachfront parcels, elevated hillside lots, and quiet interior roads, creating a range of settings from direct sand access to panoramic cliffside views. The overall feel is residential and unhurried, with controlled entry points and minimal through-traffic.
Wherever you stay within Terres Basses, expect expansive layouts, generous outdoor living space, and professional support from your villa team and Rental Escapes Concierge.
Set along the northern edge of Terres Basses and close to Trou de David (David’s Hole), Baie Rouge is known for striking scenery and some of the prettiest coastlines on the island. Baie Rouge villas range from beachfront estates to elevated homes with wide views. Featured options include:
Villa La Rêve: A recently constructed beachfront villa on Baie Rouge with a curated, art-forward feel. Highlights include a private tennis court, spa, gym, media room, and multiple entertainment spaces designed for groups that want both style and substance.
L’Oasis: A beachfront retreat for up to 12 guests, built around ocean views and easy outdoor living. Two pools face the water, while the interiors emphasize light, flow, and comfort. Extras like a private spa, gym, and full staff (including chef) make it ideal for guests who want to fully switch off.
Mes Amis: A hillside estate overlooking Baie Rouge with flexible bedroom configurations (7 to 14 bedrooms). The layout is designed to balance indoor and outdoor living, and the scale makes it a popular choice for large families, weddings, and milestone events.
The largest beach in Terres Basses, Baie Longue is prized for long walks, open coastline, and a naturally quiet feel. Villas sit along the shoreline and in nearby enclaves. Featured stays include:
Turtle Nest: An elegant four-bedroom villa positioned near the northern end of Baie Longue. With equally sized bedrooms and an understated, polished design, it’s an easy win for a group of couples. Best of all: you’re steps from the water.
La Josephine: A classic Caribbean favorite surrounded by tropical gardens. Multiple structures are connected by terraces, with the infinity pool at the center. Sleeping 12 to 14, it’s especially well-suited to families and multi-generational groups.
Casa de la Playa: A warm, design-forward villa that pairs natural materials with expansive ocean views. Spend the day between the infinity pool, alfresco dining, and the great room, all framed by artwork and a strong sense of place.
Often even quieter than Baie Longue, Plum Bay is home to some of the island’s most expansive estates. Many Plum Bay villas are fully staffed, making the experience feel effortless from morning coffee to sunset cocktails. Featured options include:
Sandyline: Set across two hectares, this villa offers a tranquil outdoor living setup paired with serious amenities, including two pools, a lit tennis court, billiards, and a full gym. The views over Plum Bay are a highlight.
Les Palmiers Bleus: A stylish villa within walking distance of Plum Bay Beach, designed with detail-obsessed interiors and a rooftop terrace. Add lush landscaping, a tennis court, and an overflow pool, and you have one of Plum Bay’s standout stays.
Château des Palmiers: A sprawling beachfront estate with multiple buildings and resort-level amenities, including a full gym, tennis court, and putting green. With ornate interiors and exceptional service (including private chef), it’s Terres Basses at its most iconic.
All visitors to Saint Martin must present a valid passport upon entry. You may need an additional tourist visa if you’re traveling from outside the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
Most visitors will fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). From there, it’s typically about a 15-minute drive to Terres Basses. Your Rental Escapes Concierge can assist with airport transfers.
Yes. Terres Basses is a private, gated community with controlled access and security monitoring. The area is known for its quiet residential feel and estate-style properties spaced far apart for privacy.
Yes. Terres Basses is home to some of the island’s most exclusive beachfront estates, particularly along Baie Longue, Baie Rouge, and Plum Bay. Many villas offer direct beach access, while others are positioned on elevated lots with panoramic ocean views just minutes from the sand.
Terres Basses is quieter and more private than Orient Bay. While Orient Bay offers walkable restaurants, beach clubs, and nightlife energy, Terres Basses focuses on estate-scale villas, gated security, and low-density beachfront living.
Anse Marcel is a protected harbor community with a marina setting and calm waters, while Terres Basses is more expansive and beach-focused. Terres Basses villas tend to be larger estates with more separation between properties.
Grand Case is typically about a 20 to 25-minute drive from Terres Basses. Many guests enjoy dining in Grand Case in the evening and returning to the privacy of their villa afterward.
Many Terres Basses villas include housekeeping and property maintenance, and larger estates may include private chef service or full staff teams. Your Villa Specialist can confirm what is included, and additional services can be arranged through your Concierge.
Yes. Terres Basses is particularly well-suited to large families, multi-generational groups, and celebrations. Several estates offer 8 to 14 bedrooms, expansive outdoor spaces, and amenities designed for entertaining.
Terres Basses is primarily residential and not designed for walking between restaurants or shops. Most guests use a rental car or private driver to explore nearby areas such as Marigot or Grand Case.
Terres Basses is best for travelers prioritizing privacy, beachfront access, estate-scale villas, and a quieter residential atmosphere over nightlife and resort density.
From gated beachfront estates along Baie Longue to panoramic hillside retreats overlooking Plum Bay, Terres Basses offers some of the most exclusive villa stays on Saint Martin’s French side.
Whether you’re planning a multi-generational gathering, a milestone celebration, or a private beachfront escape, your Villa Specialist will guide you toward the right Terres Basses villa based on your travel dates, group size, and preferred level of service.
Once your villa is secured, your Concierge can arrange airport transfers, rental cars, private chefs, boat charters, and curated in-villa experiences to ensure every detail is handled.
Connect with our team to begin planning your Terres Basses villa stay.
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Luxury Villa Rentals for 2+ people
