Frenchtown

In the middle of the nineteenth century, families from Saint-Barthélemy moved to St Thomas and settled two areas: Frenchtown on the harbour, where they fished, and Northside, where they farmed. The Frenchtown community kept its own French patois into living memory and still keeps its boats, its Bastille Day celebration and a set of restaurants that serve fish caught the same morning. It is a small quarter of low houses along the water west of the main waterfront, with a working fishing dock, and it is the most distinct neighbourhood on the island. The French Heritage Museum sets out the story in a small building beside the church.

Highlights

• The fishing dock - boats landing catch as they have for generations.
• The French Heritage Museum - the community's story beside the church.
• The restaurants - fish landed the same morning.
• Bastille Day - marked in July with a fishing competition and festivities.

When to go

Year-round. Mornings are when the fishing boats come in. Bastille Day in mid-July is the community's main celebration. Evenings are when the restaurants fill, and booking is sensible in high season.

Before you go

It is a small neighbourhood and takes a couple of hours; the museum is tiny and keeps limited hours. It is a residential community rather than an attraction, so wander respectfully. Restaurant prices are high. The walk from the main waterfront passes some unappealing stretches, and most people drive or take a taxi.

Nearby

Charlotte Amalie's centre is fifteen minutes east; Hassel Island is across the harbour.