Where is Frenchtown?
Frenchtown is a fishing village within Charlotte Amalie, the territory’s capital. The Department of Tourism places it in the Charlotte Amalie district, less than a mile from downtown. The Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) describes its ballpark as sitting “in the center of Frenchtown on the western end of Charlotte Amalie.”
There are no official statistics for Frenchtown itself. The Census Bureau’s 2020 tables for the territory report subdistricts, towns, census designated places and estates, and none of them is called Frenchtown. The U.S. Geological Survey’s place-name database does map a point for Frenchtown, and Census boundary data place that point inside the Charlotte Amalie subdistrict, Charlotte Amalie town and Estate Altona and Welgunst. That estate had 1,316 residents and 826 housing units in 2020, but it also covers the hillsides above: a 2007 NOAA Fisheries report describes Altona as a residential area just north of Frenchtown. No official source places whole estates inside Frenchtown, so we list none here.
Treat any population, price or rent figure quoted for “Frenchtown” with care, and ask where it comes from. Our Charlotte Amalie area guide covers the wider capital, and our St. Thomas island guide the island as a whole.
What is Frenchtown known for?
Fishing and French heritage. The Department of Tourism calls Frenchtown a fishing village “known for its equally charming restaurants and galleries,” established in the mid-19th century by French immigrants from St. Barts. Many residents can trace their roots to family members who emigrated from St. Barthelemy, it says, and you may hear some older islanders speaking a Norman-French dialect. The French Heritage Museum, pictured on this page, aims to preserve the history of the Frenchtown people and promote their culture.
The 2007 NOAA report called Frenchtown a major port for the island’s fishing fleets. It described the Gustav Quetel Fishing Center, in a government-owned building, as the island’s primary fish market, busiest on Friday and Saturday mornings, when trade can begin as early as 4 a.m.
Community life gathers at the Joseph “Frenchtown” Aubain Ballpark. ODR calls it a mainstay of the community that hosts Bastille Day, the Father’s Day Village, the Christmas Festival of Lights Competition, sports and youth programs. After the 2017 hurricanes, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program obligated $306,950 to refurbish it, and the plan included restoring 5,500 square feet of playground space. When it reopened in June 2024, ODR reported more than $515,000 in completed upgrades, including LED lighting, ADA-compliant bleachers and a scoreboard.
Expect evening activity, too. The Department of Tourism promotes Frenchtown for its bars, restaurants and nightlife.
How do you get around from Frenchtown?
Location is the neighborhood’s main convenience: downtown Charlotte Amalie is less than a mile away. Cyril E. King Airport is about two miles west of the capital, according to the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA).
VIPA’s posted schedules list passenger ferries from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay on St. John, and between the Charlotte Amalie waterfront and Gallows Bay on St. Croix. Schedules change, so check VIPA before you plan a commute.
If you hope to walk or drive to work downtown, try the trip at the hours you would travel before you sign a lease or a contract. Our moving guide covers registering a car and setting up power and water.
What housing will you find?
No official source counts Frenchtown’s homes or breaks down its housing types, so judge each property on its own records:
- Find the parcel. The Office of the Tax Assessor offers an online parcel search and a tax bill search. Confirm the estate and parcel number on the record match what you were given.
- For a condominium, read the association’s documents and rules first. Our condo guide lists what to request.
- For rental income, check the rules before you buy. Our short-term rentals guide covers the hotel room tax and licensing questions.
- For any building, hire a home inspector and ask a surveyor to confirm the boundaries.
What services are nearby?
Frenchtown’s restaurants are part of its draw; see our restaurants directory. Boat owners can start with marinas. The Tax Assessor’s St. Thomas office is at 5049 Kongens Gade, and the Frenchtown Community Center has hosted public meetings, such as a 2019 Department of Health town hall. For daily needs, see healthcare, schools and government offices.
What should you check before you buy or rent?
- Flood exposure. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center is the official source for flood maps, which show how likely an area is to flood. Look up the property and price insurance before you commit; our hurricane and flood insurance guide explains the options.
- Coastal permits. DPNR’s Coastal Zone Management program assesses all proposed development in the first tier, the coastal zone. Its website has a map to check whether a parcel is in Tier 1.
- Historic rules. DPNR’s State Historic Preservation Office publishes historic district boundaries on its website. Check them before you plan exterior work.
- Noise and parking. Visit at night and on a weekend, and ask where you will park.
- Water and power. Ask whether the home has a cistern, how it is supplied and what backup power it has.
A real estate attorney can review title and contracts. For daily life on the island, read Living in St. Thomas, and for renting, our long-term rentals guide.
