The commune of Gourbeyre was in the past a pivotal point in the defense of Guadeloupe's Basse-Terre Island.

"Montagne Saint-Charles et du Palmiste" was the name given for the Gourbeyre commune up to the 17th century.

In Bisdary the Jesuits were vested with 250 hectares of sugar cane which was cultivated and maintained by up to 400 slaves.

Very serious events occurred in the commune of Gourbeyre, particularly in Dolé village, with the revolt of Delgrès opposed to the Richepanse general, sent by Napoleon.

After a fire in 1955, and hurricanes in 1964 and 1979, a new building was built here in 1986 to house the departmental records and historical private papers important to the history of the island.

Gourbeyre is located east of the city Basse-Terre and southwest of the Soufrière volcano.