| Official Name: | Anse la Raye |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the city of Anse la Raye |
| Coordinates: | 13.9401°N -61.0431°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Saint Lucia |
| Subdivision Type1: | District |
| Subdivision Name1: | Anse la Raye District |
| Subdivision Type2: | City |
| Subdivision Name2: | Anse la Raye |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 18th Century |
| Founder: | France |
| Named For: | The rays found in the bay |
| Leader Title: | Governing body |
| Leader Name: | Anse la Raye Village Council |
| Elevation M: | 99 |
| Population Total: | 6354 (District), 1256 (city) |
| Population As Of: | 2010 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Population Blank1 Title: | 2010 Census |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Timezone1: | Eastern Caribbean Time Zone (ECT) |
| Utc Offset1: | -4 |
| Area Code: | 758 |
Anse La Raye or Anse-La-Raye is the largest town and seat of the Anse la Raye District of Saint Lucia. It is located on the island's western side, near Marigot Bay, and has several examples of French and English colonial architecture.[2] [3] [4]
The name Anse la Raye is derived from the rays that are found in the bay, the English translation means Bay of Rays. Two rivers flow into the bay, these are the Grande Rivière de l'Anse la Raye and the Petite Rivière de l'Anse la Raye. On a Friday night there is a fish fry where lobsters, fish and lambi (conch) are cooked and eaten. The fish fry is located on Front Street, which runs parallel to the beach.[5]
The local Catholic church was built in 1907, but records show that a chapel has existed since 1765. The present church has murals painted by the St Omer Family. Nearby attractions include the Anse la Raye Falls and the River Rock Falls.
The town is noted for its youth music groups, the "Cecilian Reys" and the "Anse La Raye Youth Orchestra", both of which were formed under the direction of Petronilla Deterville. Performing since 1981 throughout the country, the group aims to expand the cultural experiences of youth from the area.[6] [7]