Gustavia Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
main settlement and capital city of St. Barthélemy
About Gustavia
Gustavia is the main town of the island of St. Barthelemy (also known as Saint Barths). It was named after King Gustav III of Sweden. St. Barts was a French possession originally, and the area was called Carenage after the shelter it provided to damaged ships. Gustavia was founded afterSweden bought the island from Francein 1785. The island was sold back to France in 1878. There was never any hope of lucrative sugar plantations in St Barths. It was too dry, too steep, too rocky, and, finally, too small. Unsuitable for agriculture, the island was never coveted as a prize during the colonial wars of the 18th century. The place did, however, have a serviceable harbor, and this allowed the town that grew around it, Gustavia, to play a key role in that intermittent conflict, a role that was to
Gustavia Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: