Guadeloupe

Nearby areas in Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre

This is the name of both the western wing of the island and its main city, which is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe and it maintains some very pretty, authentic buildings of the colonial period. Some favorites are the 17th-century cathedral, and the 17th-century Fort Louis Delgrès, well-preserved with ramparts and bastions. It is a charming port town of narrow streets and pretty squares with palms and tamarind trees, in a lovely setting between the sea and the great La Soufrière volcano. Market day is Saturday.

Grand-Terre

On this wing is Pointe-à-Pitre, the colorful and bustling capital of the butterfly island, though unfortunately most of its early colonial buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1843. Nowadays it is a mixture of styles, some of which are Caribbean and others, which seem transplanted from provincial France. On the southwest shore is Gosier, the holiday center with many hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. This pleasant place has a marvelous picnic spot overlooking the small Plage de l'Anse Canot beach, and a little island just offshore with a lighthouse to which you can swim.

La Désirade

Just an hour's boat trip from Saint-François, this island appears on the horizon like a ship run aground on a sandbar. The land is mountainous and rocky, and of all its sister islands is the least influenced by tourism, which helps account for the cordial welcome extended to its few visitors. There are little fishing villages and some beautiful, empty beaches to discover on foot or rented bikes and scooters. The genuine good nature of the locals is a boon for those seeking an alternative to the bustle of tourism on bigger islands.

Les Saintes

Among the most beautiful Caribbean islands, the scenery here resounds like a tropical opera. Terre de Haut lies on a splendid bay with a "sugar loaf" resembling the one in Rio. There are few cars, and the best way to visit is to rent a bike or a scooter, or walk. Soak in the sun and surf on the pristine beaches or visit Fort Napoleon's exhibits and iguanas. Climb up the Chameau for a magnificent panoramic view that well rewards the effort!.

Marie-Galante

Taking its name from Columbus' caravel, this is the biggest of the out islands, reachable by a one-hour boat ride from the mainland. Take a stroll along well-marked paths into a lovely and historic landscape scattered with windmills and ruins of sugar refineries. The beaches are the most beautiful of Guadeloupe.

La Petite-Terre

These gorgeous islands south of Pointe des Chateaux are inhabited only by iguanas. Get there by sailboat for snorkeling along deserted beaches. This small land has been a nature reserve since 1994, so hunting and fishing are forbidden.

For more information about Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe Office du Tourisme

BP 422, 5 Square de la Banque, 97163, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, phone 820-930, fax 838-922, email office.tourisme.guadeloupe@wanadoo.fr.

French Government Tourist Offices:.

California

9454 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 715, Beverly Hills, CA 90212-2967, phone 1-310-271-6665, fax 1-310-276-2835, email fgto@gte.net.

Chicago

676 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 3360, Chicago, IL 60611-2819, phone 1-312-751-7800, fax 1-312-337-6339, email fgto@mcs.net.