Guadeloupe Attractions
The island archipelago of Guadeloupe offers the visitor a blend of natural beauty, French history and Creole culture. It is located on the northern end of the Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Guadeloupe proper resembles a butterfly in shape. It has two main islands, Grand-Terre (eastern) and Basse-Terre (western), separated by a narrow mangrove channel called the Rivière Salée. There are seven small dependent islands, of which the most significant are La Desirade, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
The official language is French, although Creole patois is spoken by many. The archipelago is an overseas department of France and part of the French West Indies.
The major tourist activities are sightseeing, photography, hiking and water sports such as surfing, snorkeling and swimming. Most tourist facilities are located on the southern shore of Grand-Terre, but hiking and bicycle trails spiderweb the land and all of the islands can be visited by ferry or air. The tourist can also see the many sugar plantations that have been the major industry of the islands for hundreds of years. The spicy French / Creole cuisine is served in over 200 restaurants.
The main islands have an area of 1,434sq.km/889sq.mi and the dependent islands vary in size between 158sq.km/100sq.mi (Marie-Gallant) and 14sq.km/9sq.mi (Les Saintes). The climate, cooled by the trade winds, is temperate with temperatures between 20°C/68°F and 30°C/86°F. Ports of call for cruise ships are Pointe-à-Pitre on Grand-Terre and Les Saintes.
History:
Originally inhabited by the Arawaks, the islands were populated by the Caribs when Christopher Columbus visited the archipelago in 1493. They fiercely resisted colonization and were not overcome until France took possession in 1635. The Compagnie des Isles d'Amérique established slave plantations to raise sugar cane. Slavery was abolished by the French Revolution, reimposed by Napoleon, and finally ended in 1848. Hatred and violence, and the struggles of the slaves for freedom and respect marked this period is commemorated to this day.
Coveted by the Dutch, attacked by pirates and briefly occupied by Britain during the Seven Years' and Napoleonic Wars, Guadeloupe is now sovereign French territory with representation in the French Parliament. Sugar still dominates the economy, but some small industries have been introduced, and tourism is the fastest growing economic sector.
The major tourist activities are sightseeing, photography, hiking and water sports such as surfing, snorkeling and swimming. Most tourist facilities are located on the southern shore of Grand-Terre, but hiking and bicycle trails spiderweb the land and all of the islands can be visited by ferry or air. The tourist can also see the many sugar plantations that have been the major industry of the islands for hundreds of years. The spicy French / Creole cuisine is served in over 200 restaurants.
The main islands have an area of 1,434sq.km/889sq.mi and the dependent islands vary in size between 158sq.km/100sq.mi (Marie-Gallant) and 14sq.km/9sq.mi (Les Saintes). The climate, cooled by the trade winds, is temperate with temperatures between 20°C/68°F and 30°C/86°F. Ports of call for cruise ships are Pointe-à-Pitre on Grand-Terre and Les Saintes.
History:
Originally inhabited by the Arawaks, the islands were populated by the Caribs when Christopher Columbus visited the archipelago in 1493. They fiercely resisted colonization and were not overcome until France took possession in 1635. The Compagnie des Isles d'Amérique established slave plantations to raise sugar cane. Slavery was abolished by the French Revolution, reimposed by Napoleon, and finally ended in 1848. Hatred and violence, and the struggles of the slaves for freedom and respect marked this period is commemorated to this day.
Coveted by the Dutch, attacked by pirates and briefly occupied by Britain during the Seven Years' and Napoleonic Wars, Guadeloupe is now sovereign French territory with representation in the French Parliament. Sugar still dominates the economy, but some small industries have been introduced, and tourism is the fastest growing economic sector.
Guadeloupe Tourist Office
5 Square de la Banque, BP 1099
97181 Pointe-à-Pitre
Guadeloupe
5 Square de la Banque, BP 1099
97181 Pointe-à-Pitre
Guadeloupe
Related Attractions
Read More
Guadeloupe National Park
This forest preserve offers 300 km of walking trails, allowing for close up views of the diverse flora and fauna and lovely views of la Soufrière and Col de la Matéliane peaks.
St Claude, Guadeloupe
Visitors to St Claude, a suburb of Basse-Terre, will see large colonial mansions, former homes of the fugitive French aristocratic families who founded sugar plantations in the 18th C. Hiking trails ascend the volcanic massif from here, and there are scenic views to sea from the town's 570m/1870ft height.
Archipelago
The populated Archipelago near the two main islands are all reachable by air or sea, and are remarkable for their small populations and relatively undeveloped nature.
Basse-Terre Island, Guadeloupe
Basse-Terre is high and rugged, being composed of volcanic mounts and ridges. The national park of Guadeloupe, a well-preserved tropical forest, within which is the still active volcano of La Soufrière, covers the interior. The relatively flat east coast is home to numerous banana plantations.
Basse-Terre Tourist Office
Maison du Port
97100 Basse-Terre
Guadeloupe
Maison du Port
97100 Basse-Terre
Guadeloupe
Basse-Terre
The town was founded in 1640 and has been at the center of the colonial history of the archipelago. Basse-Terre was twice occupied by British forces and torn by the French Revolution, Napoléonic suppressions and anti-slavery conflicts, Hurricanes and volcanic eruptions have helped restrict the size of the town.
(Near )
Visitors to this, the capital of Guadeloupe will see one of the oldest French settlements in the Caribbean lying in the shadow of the Soufrière volcano. Banana boats fill their holds at the harbor, and the town offers the sightseer many examples of French colonial heritage, as well as modern government buildings. Points of interest include Fort St-Charles, the town square, the Cathedral and the botanical gardens.The town was founded in 1640 and has been at the center of the colonial history of the archipelago. Basse-Terre was twice occupied by British forces and torn by the French Revolution, Napoléonic suppressions and anti-slavery conflicts, Hurricanes and volcanic eruptions have helped restrict the size of the town.
Guadeloupe National Park
The hiker can sample some of the 300 km of walkable paths. The photographer can capture the peaks of la Soufrière (1,467 m / 4,812 ft) and Col de la Matéliane (1,298 m / 4,257 ft), a wide range of flora and fauna, from 100 species of orchids to 11 species of bats, and much else. The birdwatcher can look for the black woodpecker, the pearly-eyed thrasher, the lesser Antillean pewee, and many others.
(Guadeloupe)
One of six French National Parks, Parc National de la Guadeloupe on Basse-Terre Island is a tropical forest preserve 33,500 ha / 82,745 ac in size. It was established in 1971 and now draws an average of over one million visitors per year.The hiker can sample some of the 300 km of walkable paths. The photographer can capture the peaks of la Soufrière (1,467 m / 4,812 ft) and Col de la Matéliane (1,298 m / 4,257 ft), a wide range of flora and fauna, from 100 species of orchids to 11 species of bats, and much else. The birdwatcher can look for the black woodpecker, the pearly-eyed thrasher, the lesser Antillean pewee, and many others.
Direction du Parc National de la Guadeloupe
Habitation Beausoleil Montéran
97120 Saint Claude
Guadeloupe
Habitation Beausoleil Montéran
97120 Saint Claude
Guadeloupe
Pointe-Noire
(Near )
Pointe-Noire is a typical town of the northeast coast of Basse-Terre, with white and blue painted wooden buildings, fishing boats along the shore, and a nearby beach; all set in an area of black volcanic rock and mountain shadows.
Trois-Rivieres
(Near )
Trois-Rivières is a small coastal village typical of the island. Rusting tin roofs contrast quaintly with the blue water, and a ferry to Les Saintes leaves from the dock.
Birds and Wildlife
Birdwatchers will find a large variety of birds, including herons, sugarbirds, colibris, yellow-bellied bananaquit and the rare Guadeloupe wren. Other wildlife to be seen and photographed includes iguanas, butterflies, raccoons, mongooses, crabs and lizards.
Grande-Terre Island, Guadeloupe
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.
Gosier
(Near )
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.
Le Moule
(Near )
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.
Pointe-a-Pitre
(Near )
Visitors to Pointe-à-Pitre, the capital of Grand-Terre, will find a busy market town founded in 1654 which is still small enough to cross on foot in 15 minutes. Sightseers and photographers will appreciate the 19th C buildings, which line the older streets such as Rue Achille René-Boisneuf. There are many shopping opportunities and colorfully clad inhabitants.
Port-Louis
(Near )
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.
St Francois
(Near )
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.
Ste Anne
(Near )
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.
Jardin Botanique de Deshaies
Located in the northwest corner of Basse-Terre, the Jardin Botanique de Deshaies is a beautiful garden filled with flowers, trees, ponds, and small waterfalls. Pathways meander through the garden and lead to shade covered benches and covered areas. This is a good place to see some and learn about the native vegetation.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Ste Marie, Guadeloupe
The small seaside village of Ste Marie is typical of those on the southeast coast of Basse-Terre, an area characterized by large banana plantations and brown sand beaches.
Ste Marie - Chansy Hindu Temple
The bright white walls of the Chansy Hindu Temple in Ste Marie, contrasted with colorfully painted sculptures of Hindu gods, will interest photographers and sightseers.
Ste Marie - Columbus Memorial
The Columbus Memorial in Ste Marie displays a sculpture of Christopher Columbus, which marks the spot of his landing in the Guadeloupe islands in 1493.
Surfing
Surfers of every style and skill level can find waves at the 35 recognized surfing spots. Most of these are on the coast of Grand-Terre but a few are on Grand-Basse and Terre-de-Haut.
The most popular spots vary with the season. The beaches at Le Moule, Port-Louis and Anse Bertrand are the most attractive between October and May. Those at Sainte-Anne, Saint-François and Petit-Havre are preferred from June through August.
The most popular spots vary with the season. The beaches at Le Moule, Port-Louis and Anse Bertrand are the most attractive between October and May. Those at Sainte-Anne, Saint-François and Petit-Havre are preferred from June through August.
