Grande-Terre, landscapes and lively atmosphere
To the east, Grande-Terre, where the city of Pointe-à-Pitre is the "capital", extends over 590 km². Grande-Terre is home to fine sandy beaches ideal for lazing around or water sports. You'll also find sublime landscapes (Pointe des Châteaux, Porte d'Enfer, Pointe de la Vigie...). Almost all large-capacity hotels are located here.
It's also a favorite spot for night owls, with casinos (in Gosier and Saint-François), discos and bars galore, not to mention numerous museums, including the Mémorial ACTe, a center of expression dedicated to the slave trade and slavery. The northern part of the island, dominated by a limestone plateau of coral origin and almost entirely occupied by sugarcane cultivation, is bordered by a jagged coastline and high cliffs. To the south, the terrain slopes down to immense palm-fringed beaches of white sand. The Grands Fonds, more rural and with an atypical topography, offers a multitude of mornes and deep ravines.
The south coast, bordered by a quieter coastline, is home to the most popular tourist area. Saint-François is home to an 18-hole international golf course (5,990 m), an aerodrome, the starting point for many aerial leisure activities to discover Guadeloupe from the air, and the departure point for the maritime shuttles to the island of Désirade.
Basse-Terre, diving in the middle of nature
The archipelago's other main island, Basse-Terre, in the west, covers an area of 848 km². It is separated from Grande-Terre by an inlet. It is home to the eponymous prefecture. More rugged and rugged, it is dominated by the living presence of La Soufrière, the volcano and highest point of the archipelago (1,467 m), nicknamed "the Old Lady".
In the center is the Parc National de la Guadeloupe, a green lung, a hiker's paradise and the perfect playground for nature lovers, with 300 km of hiking trails (called traces in Guadeloupe) deep in the forest. These are punctuated by waterfalls, pools and springs (some of them hot). The Cascade aux écrevisses, a small waterfall some 10 metres high, is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The Chutes du Carbet and the ascent of the volcano are popular day-trip themes. The Côte-sous-le-vent is home to creeks, coves and large stretches of beach.
Marie-Galante, "La grande galette."
Marie-Galante (nicknamed La grande galette, l'île aux cent moulins or l'île sombrero), around 50 km from Pointe-à-Pitre, has a low relief, culminating at just 204 meters above sea level. It can be compared to a large galette, with a limestone formation and a circumference of 15 km. Covering an area of 158 km², the territory of Marie-Galant alternates between sugarcane fields and superb beaches. It is home to three communes: Grand-Bourg, Saint-Louis and Capesterre-Belle-Eau. A rural atmosphere prevails. The island and its 13,000 inhabitants are slowly opening up to tourism, but with discernment and relevance to preserve its authentic character. The island's natural beauty makes it the perfect setting for visitors who love wide open spaces. You'll find magnificent, wild beaches. Marie-Galante is marked by its unspoilt nature! The island still boasts many historic traces of its agricultural past, with distillery mills topping the list. In the south-east of the island, the commune of Capesterre is a charming village bordered by the beautiful Feuillère beach. Saint-Louis, to the north-west, boasts a bay that's perfect for enjoying the peace and quiet of the Marie-Galantais scenery.
La Désirade, hikers' paradise
This small island, some fifteen kilometers from Pointe des Châteaux, appears to be planted in the sea like a rock. A true nature reserve, the 22 km² island (11 km long and 2 km wide), with a population of 1,406, has only a narrow strip of inhabited land in its southern part, with cliffs and gullies in the north. The people of Désirade are particularly welcoming. You're bound to fall under their spell. The island can be reached in 45 minutes by boat from Saint-François. It's a paradise for hikers. It is home to a surprising variety of fauna, some of which is protected, and boasts numerous small coves overlooking the sea. Its beauty and family atmosphere make it one of Guadeloupe's most attractive spots.
The Petite-Terre nature reserve
The islets of Petite-Terre, 12 km south of Désirade, are inhabited only by a colony of around a thousand West Indian iguanas, crabs and seabirds. The "lighthouse at the end of the world", built in 1840, is home to just one guard from the Office National des Forêts. His role: to preserve the tranquility of the site. All other human occupation ceased in 1972. These islands are renowned for their rich seabed, inhabited by sea turtles, lemon sharks, dolphins and fish... As the site is a nature reserve, it is impossible to take souvenirs (of any kind) with you. And don't leave any trace of pollution behind - take all your garbage with you!
Aux Saintes, a world-renowned bay
Les Saintes, a string of nine volcanic islets south of Basse-Terre, stretches over 13 km² and is home to wild mornes, rocks and deserted coves. The bay is one of the most beautiful in the world. Only two islets are inhabited: Terre-de-Haut (1,513 inhabitants) is popular with day-trippers disembarking from shuttles from mainland Guadeloupe; Terre-de-Bas (939 inhabitants on 6.8 km²) is wilder and quieter from a visitor's point of view. Not lacking in interest, Terre-de-Bas is dotted with trails laid out by the Office National des Forêts (French National Forestry Office), promising some great hiking. The village of Terre-de-Haut is the heart of life on the island. Here you'll find most of the shops. Fort Napoléon, a testimony to the island's history, offers a remarkable view of the Baie des Saintes! The famous Pain de Sucre beach is a little corner of paradise in a secluded cove.
