Grande-Terre Island Attractions
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Topographically, Grand-Terre is the flatter and lower of the two main Guadeloupe islands, being mostly between 40m/131ft and 135m/443ft high, and is distinguished by its eroded limestone composition and many stretches of beach. Much of the land is covered in silver and green sugar cane fields.
Le Moule, Guadeloupe
Le Moule is one of the oldest French settlements on Guadeloupe, dating to 1696, and was an Amerindian community prior to that. Visitors can see the most interesting old buildings around the town square, including the 18th C neoclassic church. The port features 18th C ruins of a fort and customs house, demolished by British invaders in 1809.
Edgard Clerc Museum
The Edgard Clerc Museum features objects and exhibits revealing the pre-Columbian civilizations of the Arawaks and Caribs. Visitors can trace the evolution of geology, plant and animal life of Guadeloupe.
Gardel Sugar Refinery
The Gardel Sugar Refinery was founded in 1870 and is the last remaining sugar refinery on the islands. Visitors can see and photograph draft teams bringing in the cane to the refinery.
Morel-on-Seaside
At Morel-on-Seaside visitors can see the digs of the Amerindian archaeological site, where evidence of two millennia of pre-European habitation was found. There is also a forestry station with a collection of local flora.
Watersport Center
Through the Watersport Center in La Moule visitors can hike, paraglide, rent mountain bikes and take kayaks up rivers, through the mangroves or out on the surf. Qualified instructors are available to help beginners.
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Ste Anne, Guadeloupe
At Ste Anne visitors will find a settlement dating to the 17th C. It was the capital of Grande-Terre until 1759, and is today surrounded by ruins of sugar mills, which mark its past as an important sugar exporter. There is a seaside promenade and a beach of fine white sand. A collection of shops sells handicrafts by local artists.
Grand Fondes
Visitors who take Grand Fondes, the scenic drive along road D 105 will see limestone hills covered in tropical vegetation and small deep valleys, which become miniature lakes after rainfalls.
Town Square
Sightseers will see the focal point of the town is the Town Square, with many old buildings in sight including the church and town hall. A statue of abolitionist hero Victor Schoelcher stands in the center of the square.
St Francois, Guadeloupe
A large seaside resort and marina is separate from the old Creole fishing village of St François, which features a 19th C church, covered market and fishermen's wharf. Visitors can take boat excursions that leave from the marina for Désirade, Petite-Terre and Marie-Galante.
La Pointe des Châteaux
The visitor can travel along this scenic isthmus, La Pointe des Châteaux, to the easternmost point of the main islands. A botanical path is traced from the village to a vantage point among great black rocks, which gives a clear view to the islands of Désirade, Petite-Terre and Marie-Galante.
Zevallos
Zevallos, in St François, is a large colonial mansion once part of one of the biggest sugar estates on Guadeloupe. It's iron and brick exterior has been well restored and painted. Nearby is the cliff-top scenic point called Porte d'Enfer.
Fishermen's Days
Fishermen's Days is a festival held in honor of the fishermen of Saint-Francois. It occurs over two days in mid-August, and the highlight is the mass and procession to the harbor, where the benediction of the sea occurs.
Golf International de Saint-Francois
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Golf International de Saint-Francois offers 18 holes in a beautiful tropical setting, with coconut and palm trees and a view of the lagoon. It is 1,560 yards long and par is 71: 35 going and 36 back.
Gosier, Guadeloupe
Gosier is a picturesque seaside town with a large yacht harbor, tourist accommodations and shopping development nearby. Boats to Marie-Galante and Les Saintes leave from here.
Fort Fleur d'Epé
AT Fort Fleur d'Epé visitors will see the ruins of a French garrison building built in 1759 to guard against English raids. It is constructed of coral blocks and is situated on a height dominating the bay. Photographers will enjoy the flowering trees and rusting cannons.
Aquarium de la Guadeloupe
Rated among the best French aquariums, Aquarium de la Guadeloupe in Gossier contains over 1,000 examples of 60 species of tropical fish, as well as sharks and turtles, contained in numerous ponds.
Isle of Gosier
Isle of Gosier is a small island with a beach and old lighthouse just offshore from Gosier and is reachable by a short ride aboard a small fishing boat.
Port-Louis, Guadeloupe
Port-Louis is a small fishing village made up of old wood houses painted bright colors, with streets lined with vintage iron lampposts. There is a long swimming beach backed with white cedars nearby.
Pointe de le Grande Vigie
A drive through an area of desert vegetation leads to Pointe de le Grande Vigie, the north-most point in Guadeloupe. There are clear views in all directions from the 54m/177ft height. Sightseers can take the walk along the cliffs past the beach at Anse Pistolet to the Porte d'Enfer.
Plage du Souffleur
Plage du Souffleur is a wide-open beach backed with colorful flowering flamboyants (flame trees). Nearby is Pointe d'Antigues, a scenic vantage point.
Grande-Terre Island Pictures
