History of Saint Barthelemy
From the Arawaks to Overseas Collectivity, five centuries of unique history
Timeline
First Arawak inhabitants on the island
Christopher Columbus discovers the island and names it after his brother Bartolomeo
First French settlers from the island of Saint Kitts
The island is sold to the Order of Malta
Return to French rule
France cedes the island to Sweden in exchange for trading rights
Gustavia becomes a prosperous free port
Sweden returns the island to France by referendum
Saint Barthelemy becomes a commune of Guadeloupe
The island becomes an Overseas Collectivity (COM)
Saint Barthelemy becomes an Overseas Country and Territory of the EU
Key Periods
1648-1784: Colonization by Bretons and Normans. Rural life and fishing.
1784-1878: Gustavia as a free port. Commercial prosperity and cosmopolitanism.
Since 1878: Return to France. Tourism development since the 1960s.
Anecdotes & Traditions
For nearly a century under Swedish rule, Gustavia was a free port where goods circulated without taxes. This period shaped the island's commercial identity.
Traditional wooden houses with red roofs bear witness to the blend of French, Swedish, and Caribbean influences.
The island's goats descend from animals brought by the first Breton settlers in the 17th century. They have become the symbol of St. Barth.
Before tourism, Saint Barth was an island of fishermen and farmers living austerely on these arid lands.