French West Indies

French West Indies
Antilles françaises
Flag of French West Indies
Location of the modern territories of the French West Indies
Location of the modern territories of the French West Indies
StatusColony of France (1628–1946)
Overseas departments and overseas collectivities(1946-present)
CapitalBasse-Terre (1628–1671)
Saint-Pierre (1671–1674)
Fort-Royal (1674–1851)
14°40′55″N 61°1′50″W / 14.68194°N 61.03056°W / 14.68194; -61.03056
Common languagesFrench
Creole
Governor-General 
• 1628-1636
Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc
• 1849–1851
Armand Joseph Bruat
CurrencyFranc
Preceded by
Spanish West Indies

The French West Indies or French Antilles (French: Antilles françaises, [ɑ̃tij fʁɑ̃sɛːz]; Antillean Creole: Antiy fwansé) are the parts of France located in the Antilles islands of the Caribbean: