Imagine shopping tax-free in Paris or New York– that’s basically what duty-free shopping on St. Bart’s is all about. Many of the same high-end retailers you’ll find on Fifth Avenue or in Faubourg Saint-Honoré have boutiques in Gustavia — Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Bulgari, to name a few. The only catch — the stores close from noon to 3 p.m. and on most Wednesdays. Viva la difference: this is still the Caribbean, after all, where life takes on a saner pace.
Jewelry and designer clothing, cosmetics and French perfume, fine wine and cigars, even some indigenous St. Bart’s fashions (notably the wide-brimmed hats made by local ladies) can be found in the shops of the Quai de la Republique (a.k.a. the rue du Couturier), the Rue General de Gaulle, and the Villa Creole Commercial Center near the airport.
Not surprisingly, many (but not all) of Gustavia’s jewelry stores are located in Le Carre de Or, including renowned watchmaker Diamond Genesis. Bijou de la Mer on the Rue de la Republique carries a selection of fine jewelry made with Tahitian black pearls. Adjacent to Cartier, Bijoux de la Mer will custom-design gold and diamond jewelry for you, or you choose from a selection of completed pieces. Fabienne Miot specializes in fine jewelry incorporating rare pearls and opals.
Don’t neglect an exploration of the back alleys and side streets of Gustavia, where more modest boutiques stock a more adventurous (though still at least faintly glamorous) selection of swimwear, beachwear, and evening wear. Lolita Jaca, for example, updates their collections of Asian and island-inspired women’s wear with the finest silk fabric each season.
For swimwear, cruise into the Black Swan, and grab a coverup or silk-screened logo t-shirt at Pati de St. Barth — symbolic of St. Bart’s simple-chic ethos. Also made in St. Bart’s are the Ligne de St. Barts skincare products, La Gloriette vanilla rum (buy it at Gustavia’s AMC supermarket), and those famous sun hats, well worth the jaunt to the quaint fishing village where they are made, Corossol, just northwest of Gustavia.
When buying luxury real estate in St-Barths, you can always enjoy tax free shopping as well !
We understand that with all pleasures St. Barth has to offer, your days can fill up fast ! Keep in mind that a personnal shopper can be placed at your disposal on request.
REQUEST A QUOTATION >