The harbour
Yachts and boats.
David Broad — CC BY 3.0 · David Broad — CC BY 3.0 · David Broad — CC BY 3.0 · Luigi Rosa — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo by Martin Lie, Trondheim, Norway — CC BY-SA 3.0
Gustavia is the main town and capital of the small Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy, its red-roofed houses wrapped around a sheltered natural harbour on the island's west coast. It was first called «Le Carénage», because damaged ships took refuge there for repairs. France claimed the island in 1648, then gave it to Sweden in 1784 in exchange for trading rights, and the town was renamed Gustavia in honour of King Gustav III; it stayed Swedish until the island was sold back to France in 1878. Traces of the Swedish period remain in street names and some old stone buildings. Today the harbour is full of pleasure boats and luxury yachts, ringed by shops, restaurants and cafés in small white and red buildings. Three 18th-century forts once guarded the harbour, and the surrounding hills look out over the town, the turquoise bay and small islands. Walking around town is free. The island is small, about 24 square kilometres, the weather is warm all year, and the dry season from December to April is the best time to visit.
Yachts and boats.
Small houses.
From the hills.
Gustavia, St. Barthélemy
The island was Swedish from 1784 to 1878.
December to April.
