ROUTE DU MOULE À ANSE-BERTRAND

This pleasant course runs alongside a bay that has no real beach, but has a wild coastline with many sea views close to the road. The waves hit the rocks only a few metres from the road before arriving at the first seaside rendezvous, the pleasant beach of La Baie, which is also close to the road.

Towards Sainte-Marguerite and Gros-Cap. At La Rosette, a sign announces the presence of the Edgar-Clerc Museum dedicated to pre-Columbian history, a witness to the Amerindian presence. As you continue towards Bazin, the houses become rarer, as do the tourist activities. The agricultural landscape is calm; the cows in the meadows peacefully watch the few visitors pass by. Towards Anse-Maurice, going down to the sea by a winding and sloping road, one enters a deep valley which gives onto a nice beach (watch out for the passage of free-roaming goats, even sheep, but also mongooses). The place is little frequented in low season, but it becomes more animated in high season.

The D120 leads to the Porte de l'Enfer and the Pointe de la Grande-Vigie. This beautiful road crosses deserted landscapes quite different from the rest of Grande-Terre. It follows a steep coastline between the Pointe du Piton and the Pointe de la Grande-Vigie. The wild region, totally depopulated and not very touristy, keeps the authentic charm of unoccupied territories. The cliffs are vertiginous and the panoramas are beautiful, especially towards the extreme north, around the Porte d'Enfer, the trou Madame Coco and the trou du Souffleur. These names, evocative of legends, have been given to these steep cliffs, to these creeks where the sea can be furious. Fractures form real canyons in the sea, a geological curiosity not to be missed.

From the Grande-Vigie point to Anse-Bertrand. The coast becomes calmer again, and the relief softens. The fishing villages nestle on small beaches, as do the small restaurants serving lobsters and fish grilled on the barbecue with authentic cuisine.

From the Grande-Vigie point to Anse-Laborde, the D122 departmental road becomes easy as you reach the sea. Nearby is the commune of Anse-Bertrand and its pretty beach of La Chapelle, very popular with surfers and swimmers for its fine sand, coconut palms and its translucent and calm water.