RIVIÉRA DES ÎLES DE GUADELOUPE

Surrounded by sublime white-sand beaches protected by coral reefs, La Désirade is perfect for those who’d like to try their hand at snorkeling or simply want to perfect their tan.

From its lush and varied greenery to the protected fauna, including iguanas, agoutis and tropicbirds, that have lived on the island since the dawn of time, the island is a Shangri-La for those seeking tranquility, sunshine and a genuine experience.

And it’s easy to get to this little corner of paradise! Just a 45-minute boat ride from Saint-François or 15 minutes by air from Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, La Désirade is waiting for you!

Located in the steep terrain southeast of Pointe-à-Pitre, Le Gosier may not have the right landscape for intensive sugar cane plantations, but it has an ideal geographic location for making it Grande-Terre’s premier tourist resort!

Le Gosier owes its name to a species of pelicans known as the “Gran Gosier”, which for centuries has been nesting in the local forests of mangrove trees. And whereas the town’s economy was once rooted in coffee, cocoa and cotton, it’s now centered on tourism.

From the spectacular view from the Fort Fleur d’Epée, looking out on to the Cul-de-Sac Marin, to the beaches of Petit-Havre and Saint-Félix, you’ll discover a little corner of paradise by day or night. In fact, night owls will enjoy meeting up on Le Gosier’s beaches for some wild nights!

Built on the middle of Grande-Terre’s southern coast, the city of Sainte-Anne (in Creole: Sentann’) extends from the seaside to the island’s interior. Sainte-Anne was the major town on Grande-Terre in the 17th century, before the rise of Pointe-à-Pitre, and its largest and wealthiest parish, overseen by the Capuchin friars. These days its focus is on the sea, its greatest source of wealth thanks to tourism!

For an exceptionally colorful cultural excursion, come watch one of the traditional local dances such as the Dansé Lewoz, the Gwo Ka or the Mayolé, a stick dance that dates from the somber days of the slave trade.

Alongside the old windmills reflecting its past as a sugar hub, its fishing port, its traditional dances and its idyllic coastline, the community can boast of some of the most beautiful beaches to be found on mainland Guadeloupe, including La Caravelle, the Bois Jolan and the Plage du Bourg.

From the magnificent Caravelle beach lined with coconut trees to the emerald green waters of Bois Jolan, you’ll find a place of enchantment!

Considered one of the biggest centres of tourism in all of Guadeloupe, Saint-François is the ultimate in seaside communities, located at the extreme southeastern tip of Grande-Terre.

Since the closing of the last sugar processing plant, Saint-François’s economy has been primarily based on tourism.

With its hotels and restaurants, its international golf course designed by the celebrated architect Robert Trent Jones, its regional airport, its marina and natural sites that include the famous Pointe-des-Châteaux peninsula, protected by France’s National Forests Office, Saint-François offers a wide range of sporting and cultural activities.

Terre-de-Haut is the southernmost part of Guadeloupe. For many years it had strategic value for military purposes. Now the most visited of Guadeloupe’s islands, “Tèdého” offers an ideal setting for a holiday.

Terre-de-Haut offers wide-ranging appeal, from its charming multi-coloured houses to its small fishing port and the majestic Fort Napoléon, which bears witness to Guadeloupe’s dramatic history. The island’s first inhabitants, arriving from Brittany and Normandy, began a long tradition of fishing from dinghies known as “santoises”, which are still in use today and add to the island’s distinctive character.

Try the island’s celebrated sugar loaf (considered the Seventh Wonder of the World!) and local specialties such as the delicate tart with a coconut filling known as a “tourment d’amour”. If you’re seeking a tranquil, authentic experience and locally made products, Terre-de-Haut is the right place!

Famous for its allspice plantation, the only one of its kind in Guadeloupe, Terre-de-Bas was long overlooked in favour of nearby Terre-de-Haut, but today it’s enjoying a renaissance thanks to its many tourist attractions.

From the beach at Grande-Anse to the Petite-Anse district, which also serves as the island’s administrative center, everything on Terre-de-Bas serves as an invitation to relax.

Whether you’re an occasional hiker or a pro, you can find a trail that suits you. Beginners might choose the Dessus de l’Etang (45 minutes), while the really adventurous hikers will want to try the Trace des Falaises (3 hours)!

Whether you’re visiting Saint Nicholas church with its unconventional roof resembling an overturned boat, the beach at Grande-Anse, the ruins of the Grand Baie pottery works or the small fishing port at Petite-Anse, remember to wear your Salako (a traditional fishing hat) and inhale – you’re on Terre-de-Bas!