A Voir

…terfalls, endemic flora, historic monuments, churches, museums, parks and gardens, distilleries reflecting the central role of sugar cane, and Creole traditions that are still very much alive.

Explore the unspoiled islets

The islets scattered around the coast of Guadeloupe are protected areas, often part of the National Park or nature reserves. Îlet à Fajou, located in the heart of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, covers approximately 115 hectares and has been part of a reserve since 1979. It is home to mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. The seagrass beds, composed of phanerogams such as Thalassia testudinum, provide food for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), while the mangroves, dominated by the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), offer shelter to many juvenile fish species. Islets such as Îlet Caret, a tiny sandbank, are subject to erosion and their surface area is decreasing over the years. A boat stop in these crystal-clear waters (visibility up to 20 meters) allows you to snorkel and observe parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and gorgonians. The islets of Petite-Terre, classified as a nature reserve since 1998, are home to the endemic and endangered Caribbean iguana (Iguana delicatissima), with densities reaching several hundred individuals per square kilometer. These islets can be visited on day trips, with visitor numbers limited to preserve their ecosystems.

Admire waterfalls and springs

The volcanic terrain of Basse-Terre, fed by more than 3,000 mm of annual rainfall on the peaks, creates a dense hydrographic network. The most famous, the Carbet Falls, have three waterfalls, the second measuring over 110 meters. A paved trail (about 2 km round trip) leads to a viewing point facing the falls, surrounded by lush vegetation: tree ferns, gum trees, and balisiers. The ambient temperature, around 68°F at an altitude of 1,900 feet, contrasts with the coastal heat. On other trails, the Cascade aux Écrevisses, accessible in 5 minutes from the Route de la Traversée, offers a natural pool for a refreshing swim. In the commune of Capesterre-Belle-Eau, the Grand Étang (high-altitude lake) features a humid forest landscape, home to freshwater crabs, rare insects, and hydrophilic plants. Certain sulfuric hot springs, fed by volcanic activity, such as the Bains Jaunes at the foot of La Soufrière, offer a relaxing break in water between 86°F and 98°F.

Encounter unique flora and fauna

More than 300 species of trees have been identified in the tropical rainforest of Basse-Terre, which is part of the National Park created in 1989. Tree ferns that can grow to a height of 8 to 10 meters, epiphytes (bromeliads, orchids), and endemic species (gum trees, chestnut trees) make up a rich ecosystem. The terrestrial fauna, less diverse than the flora, includes the Madeira hummingbird (Eulampis jugularis), the Guadeloupe woodpecker (Melanerpes herminieri), the anole, and the raccoon (local raccoon). In the mangroves, fiddler crabs, mangrove oysters, shrimp, and small forage fish complete the food chain. Wetlands are home to butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians, and invertebrates. Marine environments, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are home to more than 200 species of coastal fish, including angelfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, lobsters, conch, and moray eels.

Discover churches and religious heritage

Colonization, which began in the 17th century, left a significant religious legacy. Churches, often rebuilt after hurricanes or earthquakes, dot the landscape. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Guadeloupe in Basse-Terre dates back in part to the 18th century. Built from volcanic stone, it underwent restoration after the 1843 earthquake. Its stained glass windows, wooden stalls, and statues reflect the influence of Caribbean Catholicism. The Church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul in Pointe-à-Pitre, built in the 19th century, features metal architecture inspired by Gustave Eiffel. Ceremonies, sometimes accompanied by Creole songs, reflect a Christianity rooted in local culture, mixed with popular beliefs. Cemeteries, such as Morne-À-l'Eau, with its black and white tiled tombs, also reflect a specific funerary aesthetic.

Delve into history through museums and monuments

The museums of Guadeloupe reveal the history of the Amerindians, colonialism, agriculture, and culture.

• The ACTe Memorial in Pointe-à-Pitre, which opened in 2015, covers more than 7,000 square meters and offers a multimedia exhibition on the slave trade, slavery, and their legacies. More than 100,000 visitors a year come to see documents, testimonials, contemporary art, and oral histories.
• The Edgar Clerc Museum in Le Moule exhibits more than 2,000 Native American artifacts (ceramics, stone tools) dating back more than 1,000 years.
• The Saint-John Perse Museum, located in a Creole house in Pointe-à-Pitre, pays tribute to the Nobel Prize-winning poet.
• The Rum Museum, adjacent to the Reimonenq distillery, displays old stills, tropical insects, and archives on the history of sugar production.

In terms of monuments, Fort Delgrès, overlooking the bay of Basse-Terre, built in the 17th century and renovated in the 18th century, witnessed the resistance to the reintroduction of slavery in 1802. Its bastions, barracks, and powder magazines offer a heritage tour and panoramic views. The ruins of old sugar refineries and mills on Marie-Galante (there were more than 600 in the 19th century) are a reminder of the agricultural prosperity of yesteryear.

Immerse yourself in traditions and folklore

Guadeloupe, at the crossroads of African, European, and Amerindian influences, has forged a Creole culture. Gwo-ka, traditional music based on seven ka drum rhythms, has accompanied songs and dances since the 18th century. Patron saint festivals, celebrated in every municipality, bring people together around religious processions, food stalls (accras, boudins, colombo), and sporting competitions (canoe races, regattas). The carnival, from January to March, parades through the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre, attracting more than 50,000 participants with colorful costumes, masks, percussion, and choreography. The markets, open from 6 a.m., offer spices (cinnamon, cloves, allspice), fruits (pineapple, passion fruit, mango), fish (sea bream, snapper), and flavored rums. Artisans craft reed baskets, pottery, and seed jewelry, showcasing local resources.

Strolling through parks and gardens

The tropical vegetation, supported by abundant rainfall and temperatures between 75°F and 82°F, forms the basis of Guadeloupe's parks and gardens. The Deshaies Botanical Garden, covering 7 hectares, is home to more than 1,000 species of exotic plants: giant hibiscus, bougainvillea, alpinias, porcelain roses, and royal palms. Ponds where koi carp swim, an aviary of rainbow lorikeets, and lookout points over the Caribbean Sea make for a visit of about 1.5 hours. The Valombreuse Floral Park, covering more than 5 hectares, features heliconias, anthuriums, ferns, a fun trail for children, and picnic areas. The Maison de la Forêt, in the heart of the National Park, offers educational trails, information panels on forest biodiversity, and birdwatching spots where you can spot the Madeira hummingbird or the white-crowned pigeon. The Goyave Water Garden showcases water lilies, lotuses, and papyrus, demonstrating the richness of wetlands. Between December and May, the driest season, the trails are more accessible and the flora is in full bloom.

Visit distilleries and learn about the rum industry

Sugar cane, introduced in the 17th century, has shaped Guadeloupe's economy, landscape, and culture. Today, more than 10 active distilleries produce agricultural rum from fresh cane juice. Each year, more than 10 million liters of rum are produced, including white rums (50° to 59°), amber rums (aged 12 to 18 months), and aged rums (several years in oak barrels). Distilleries such as Damoiseau in Le Moule (producing more than 3 million liters per year), Longueteau in Capesterre-Belle-Eau (the oldest family business since 1895), Bologne, Reimonenq, Montebello, Bellevue, and Poisson (Père Labat) on Marie-Galante open their doors to visitors. Guided tours (30 to 60 minutes) explain the stages: cutting the cane between February and June, crushing, fermentation (24 to 48 hours), distillation in a Creole column, and aging in bourbon or cognac barrels. Tastings allow visitors to appreciate the aromatic diversity and purchase bottles, liqueurs, and punches flavored with local fruits (coconut, guava, passion fruit). The adjoining museums display old stills, vintage photos, and maps showing the evolution of the sugar trade. Admission fees, between €5 and €10, remain affordable.

Evolving at the heart of centuries of history

Beyond the sites mentioned above, Guadeloupe is home to monuments such as Fort Fleur d'Epée in Gosier, dating from the 18th century, offering views of the coast and sometimes hosting temporary exhibitions. Lighthouses, such as the one on Gosier Island, remind us of the importance of navigation. The old sugar refineries, recognizable by their stone chimneys, are a reminder of the monoculture of sugar cane. Hills still bear the names of places marked by resistance to slavery. Schools, colleges, and libraries pay tribute to local figures, writers, poets, and anti-colonial activists.

Agricultural traditions live on in certain educational farms, producing fruit, spices, cocoa, and coffee. Coffee, grown on the slopes of Basse-Terre, offers a mild Arabica variety, sometimes sold through short supply chains. Cocoa, processed using traditional methods, produces a chocolate of great finesse, which can be tasted during visits to the Maison du Cacao. Weekly markets, in addition to fresh produce, sell spices ground on site, bondamanjak chili peppers (extremely hot), homemade jams (guava, banana, papaya), and local honey, helping to preserve culinary traditions.

Choosing the right time and preparing for your visit

The dry season, from December to May, with less rain, makes it easier to access waterfalls, dive with improved visibility (up to 25 m in the sea), and visit the islets without excessive swells. Temperatures remain stable between 75°F and 81°F, ensuring optimal comfort. Tourist offices provide maps, guides, and indicate the opening hours of museums (usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), distilleries, and parks. Some reserves impose a limit on the number of visitors, so it is best to book in advance during the high season. Prices vary depending on the time of year, with admission to a museum or botanical garden ranging from €5 to €15 depending on the site. Distillery tours are often free, with only tastings or workshops incurring an additional cost. The distances between sites remain reasonable: it generally takes an hour's drive to get from the coastal area to the rainforest.