Who colonized St Barts?

In 1648, the island of St Barth was first colonized by the French. About fifty men came to settle there, following the decision of Monsieur de Longvilliers de Poincy, French colonial administrator.



The island of Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts) was originally claimed for France by Jacques Cartier in 1536 and officially settled by French colonists from Normandy and Brittany in 1648. However, the island’s history is unique in the Caribbean because it was sold to Sweden in 1784 by King Louis XVI in exchange for trading rights in Gothenburg. The Swedes turned the capital, Gustavia (named after King Gustav III), into a free port, which brought immense prosperity to the island through trade. The Swedish influence is still visible today in the town's name and some architecture. In 1878, Sweden sold the island back to France, and it has remained French ever since. Today, it is an Overseas Collectivity (COM) of France. Unlike many other Caribbean islands, St. Barts never developed a major plantation economy due to its rocky soil and lack of water, which is why the island's culture and demographics remain distinctively more European in heritage compared to its neighbors.

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Saint-Barthélemy was occupied by the French in 1648. It was sold to Sweden in 1784 but was returned to France in 1877 after a plebiscite. The capital and only town is Gustavia (named for Sweden's King Gustav III), which stands on a well-sheltered harbour.

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Saint Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the islanders voted to secede from Guadeloupe, and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity.

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For those who truly love to sail, St Barts is considered to have some of the best sailing conditions on the planet. So what makes the world's rich and famous flock to St Barts for a vacation? Simply put, it's a level of exclusivity not found in many other urban areas.

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The Russian billionaire appears to own at least one additional property in St. Barts that has not been previously reported. In 2009, Roman Abramovich paid a reported $90 million for his 70-acre estate on the Caribbean island of St. Barts, a French overseas territory.

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St. Barth is much more than just a tropical paradise. It's a unique cultural melting pot, with a rich history and fascinating traditions that make it truly one-of-a-kind. The charm extends to its lesser-known spots too, such as the quaint areas of Grand Fond and Anse de Grand.

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Barts has been popular with A-listers for decades, and many famous people call the island home. Countless celebrities and wealthy businessmen are living in St Barts thanks to the island's renowned spas, five-star restaurants, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters.

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St. Barth was originally inhabited by Arawak Indians; they were followed by the Caribs, who greeted Christopher Columbus when he arrived in 1493. He named the island for his brother Bartoloméo.

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St. Barts—also known as St-Barth, St. Barths, and Saint Barthélemy—is a French-speaking Caribbean island known for its luxe vibe and flawless beaches.

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St. Barts' official language is French, but English is fluently spoken. The official currency is the Euro, but American dollars are often accepted.

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Fabrizio Bianconi, owner of L'isola, with help from his talented chefs, brings the flavors and essence of Italian cuisine to St. Bart's.

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While St Barts is smaller, chicer, and more geared towards couples, St Martin has much more variety and makes for an incredible family destination. That said, you can easily ferry between the two for day trips, which is why, for many, the decision ultimately comes down to which island is home to the villa they prefer.

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