An old British expression, to take a French Leave is a fitting name for this Bahamian resort. Here you have the first erection of true seafront cottages on Governor’s Harbour ever since the 40’s.
Escape from life’s daily hustle and bustle to French Leave Resort, situated on 270 acres along the quiet Bahamian island of Eleuthera. Guests enjoy the privacy of the tranquil island while overlooking one of the most beautiful pink-sand beaches and picturesque harbors in the world, Cupid’s Cay. This cozy resort expanded from its original four bungalows to now house 12 bungalows and two new villas and home to one of the island’s best restaurants,1648 An Island Restaurant features sweeping oceanfront views of the picturesque Governor’s Harbour and an open-air dining experience. The restaurant is Eleuthera’s hottest spot for fresh cuisine. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list with both fine dining and casual fare cuisine, including dishes like conch rangoon, pan seared ahi tuna, and build your own pizzas. With the advantage of being so close to the resort’s marina and the opportunity to interact with the local fisherman, 1648 An Island Restaurant, can serve some of the freshest seafood on the island.
A look back:
In 1938, Count Alfred de Marigny visited the Governor’s Harbour and stated, “the first time I laid eyes on this land, I knew I would buy it”.
Soon after, the Count purchased the land space and named the property French Leave. A short five years later, Marigny epitomized the expression by making his own “French Leave” when he was accused of murdering his famous father-in-law, Sir Harry Oakes.
Flash forward a few decades to the 1960s, where the resort brought in famed visitors like Lady Bird Johnson and Jacques Cousteau.
In December 2013, the property was purchased by Lance Shaner and Eddie Lauth, and officially opened in December 2014.
Getting to French Leave
By Air: There are several airports travelers can fly into to reach the property, including
Governor’s Harbour International Airport, North Eleuthera International Airport and Rock
Sound International Airport.
• Governor’s Harbour International Airport is approximately 8 miles (10 minutes) from the
resort
• Rock Sound International Airport is approximately 26 miles (40 minutes) from the resort
• North Eleuthera International Airport is approximately 39 miles (1 hour) from the resort
By Ferry: Eleuthera Express offers services from Nassau to Governor’s Harbour on Mondays
and Tuesdays. A one-way trip takes approximately 6 1/2 hours.
Originating from the Greek word meaning freedom, Eleuthera’s 110 miles of unspoiled pink
sand beaches, rocky cliffs, and antique settlements remain one of the Caribbean’s best-kept
secrets. A warm, sunny climate is typical year-round, with average temperatures in the low 60’s during the winter months and high 80’s during the summer. Known for its incomparable beaches, Eleuthera is one of the premier destinations in the Caribbean for offshore sport fishing, bonefishing, diving, windsurfing, kayaking, surfing and sailing.
An Island Paradise
Popularly known for its endless pineapple fields and pink-sand beaches, Eleuthera is also home to a range of restaurants, live entertainment and outdoor activities. From horseback riding and scuba diving to cliff jumping and historic tours, Eleuthera has guests covered with an array of options.
Never get bored:
Governor’s Harbour Fish Fry: Every Friday night, travelers can visit the weekly fish fry at Anchor Bay in Governor’s Harbour just minutes from the property. From 6 p.m. to midnight, you can enjoy world famous rum bubbas, live music, and dancing.
Historic Haynes Library: Built in 1897, Haynes Library is one of the island’s key historic landmarks, offering guests the opportunity to borrow books from their wide library collection throughout their visit. Every Saturday morning, arts and craft classes are also offered.
