Shopping

Duty-free St. Barts offers liquor and French perfumes at some of the lowest prices in the Caribbean -- often cheaper than in France itself. You'll find good buys, albeit a limited selection, in haute couture, crystal, porcelain, watches, and other luxuries. Gustavia's Quai de la République (nicknamed "rue du Couturier") matches Paris's rue du Faubourg St. Honoré or avenue Montaigne for designer boutiques, including Bulgari, Cartier, Dior, and Hermès. If you're in the market for island crafts, look for intricately woven straw goods (baskets, bags, bonnets) and striking art naïf including models of Creole cazes and fishing boats.

Aside from Gustavia, St-Jean is the island's center of shopping action, with five small shopping centers along the main road leading toward Lorient: La Savanne, Les Galeries du Commerce, La Villa Creole, La Sodexa, and L'Espace Neptune.