basseterre was founded in 1627 by the french, under pierre belain d'esnambuc. it was the capital of the french colony of saint-christophe. the colony was the most northern and most southern parts of the island of st. kitts. the middle part was held by britain. when phillipe de longviliers de poincy was made the french governor of st. kitts in 1639, the town turned into a large, successful port, commanding eastern caribbean trade and colonisation. de poincy then quickly made basseterre capital of the entire french west indies colony, which included the islands of guadeloupe and martinique. it was the capital until his death in 1660. the city was made capital of the entire island of st. kitts in 1727. this is when the french were pushed off the island and the british took full control.