The 14 things to do in Grande-Terre

Fascinating landscapes, extraordinary sensations... Are you going to visit Grande-Terre? Here are the essentials to do and see in this beautiful island of Guadeloupe!

The French Antilles comprises two overseas departments, Guadeloupe and Martinique. Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the heart of the Lesser Antilles composed of five islands: the Basse-Terre, the Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, the Saintes and the Désirade. The two main islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre are separated by a narrow sea arm called Salted River and a mangrove area at the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin. The famous volcano la Soufrière peaks at 1,467 meters on the island of Basse-Terre.

The Grande-Terre, formerly known as "Cabuqueira" which means "island with gommiers" in the Caribbean language, is a magical island to relax in the sun when the climate is marked by the frosts of winter in another part of the world. Things to do and to visit in Grande-Terre are varied and numerous: cities, beaches, water and water activities but also local culture and gastronomy!

Ready for departure? Direction Grande-Terre therefore for a superb trip to the nickname "Break Brittany of the Antilles"!

1. Pointe-à-Pitre

Visit Grande-Terre is not done without discovering Pointe-Pitre , city of art and history. The old centre is a typical 18th century colonial town. A journey through the city will take you from the Saint John Perse Museum to the St. Peter’s Church and St. Paul’s Church, passing through the Place de la Victoire.

2. The Schoelcher Museum

The generous donations of Victor Schoelcher , a strong defender of the black and partisan cause of the abolition of slavery, constitute the treasures of this museum. Located in Point-à-Pitre, this building, built in 1883, houses Roman and Egyptian sculptures belonging to this French journalist and politician.

3. Memorial ACT

What to do in Grande-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre? Explore the Caribbean Center of Expressions and Memory the slave trade and slavery. A place of strong symbol both informative and educational, this regional space is dedicated to memory, knowledge and historical research to the population, tourists, students and researchers.

4. Markets

Visiting Grande-Terre goes through these markets of Pointe-à-Pitre that deserve the detour. Merchants in traditional madras costume will welcome you to the central market with its multiple colored stalls covered with spices, exotic jams or punches.

On the picturesque market of the Darse, you will have water in the mouth with the flavours of fresh fish sold directly by fishermen and with exotic fruits and vegetables. Immerse yourself in the local life of Grande-Terre!

5. A boat ride

One of the great must-sees to do when you find yourself in Guadeloupe, and especially in Grande-Terre is the boat ride! Indeed, sailing on a blue paradise, almost transparent, passing the head over the edge to hope to see swimming alongside your dolphins and other splendors of the ocean, isn’t it the ultimate happiness?

Rent a boat in Grande-Terre then you will explore beautiful horizons, and all the islands around!

6. Saint-François

What can you do in Grande-Terre and especially in Saint-François ? Beach resort par excellence, this city is equipped with modernized tourist infrastructures and beautiful beaches. Sensations and fun assured at the beach of La Douche!

Install in a basin and wait for the waves to come to splash you with a salt shower. Lézardez sur la sublime plage des Raisins Clairs recognisable by far by its trees whose round and clear fruits resemble white grapes. This beach consists of a strip of white sand and a lagoon of crystalline water delimited by a coral barrier.

7. Sainte-Anne

Visiting Grande-Terre is also passing through the coastal city of Sainte-Anne south of the island. You will only have the embarrassment of choice among its beautiful beaches for an invitation to the fierce. And for lovers of strong sensations, they can practice surfing, kitesurfing, parachuting, windsurfing.... Along the beautiful beach of the Caravelle, you will surely meet the crêpes dealer and the iguana who comes to look for her little daily treat at the time of tasting!

8. The Gosier

Swimming or boarding in a shuttle Island Gosier located a few hundred meters from the beach and declared remarkable natural space! At Gosier, beaches, shops, restaurants and bars will guarantee you entertainment, warm atmosphere and exhilarating experience.

The Marina aquarium on its side contributes to the knowledge and protection of the marine environments of Guadeloupe. He's one of Grande-Terre's immanquables!

9. Port-Louis

This authentic and quiet city has had several names: “Point d’Antiques”, then “Port Libre”, and finally “Port Louis”, its current name since the 19th century. In the past, its activity was based on sugar cane cultivation and fishing. From now on, the city is turned to tourism with the creation of a nautical pole near the Anse du Souffleur . The fishing port and the marina welcome fishermen repairing their net, the fish market and pleasure boats. A caillebotis trail will allow you to stroll along the beautiful beach of the Souffleur.

10. Morne-à-L’Eau Cemetery

By swiping the main roads to visit Grande-Terre, you will not be able to miss this world-renowned cemetery built hillside .

Its originality lies in the graphical code that takes back that of a lady’s game board. The faiences with black and white damier patterns decorate the majority of sepultures. The expression "last residence" takes all its meaning in this field of rest: some tombs are butets and some have a floor with access by an outside staircase. Be vigilant, you may fall on a giant toad of the size of a hand blotti between two tombs. Waiting for his princess?

11. The tip of the Grande Vigie

What about Grande-Terre? In the hiking section, the opportunities to enhance your trekking shoes are missing. A path around the path Pointe de la Grande Vigie , the northernmost place of Grande-Terre, will make you become aware of the strength of the ocean breaking on the cliffs.

At the end of this point you will see the rock of the turtle. And arm twins! Hopefully you'll see whales. Throughout the itinerary, contemplate the varied flora of the island, but pay attention to the mancenillier. Originally from the American continent, this tree is less harmless than it seems. As much as its fruit, its foliage, its trunk as its sap are toxic. In case of contact with this tree, serious burns will appear on your skin.

12. The Gate of Hell

In Anse-Bertrand, the sea is groaning between the majestic limestone cliffs, first unleashed and then soothed to finish on a adorable little sandy beach. A path will result in a climb to " Trou de Madame Coco ", a large, blunt crevasse and further to the "Buffhole".

13. The culinary trip

If you are visiting Grande-Terre in August, you will be able to attend the cooks' feast in Pointe-à-Pitre. You will enchant your taste buds with a tasting of local specialities offered by these blue cords. And you will cross the paths of the inhabitants selling a delicious coconut ice prepared in a rustic wreath.

All these specialties will make you savour:

• The famous meat colombo
• The greed of the lambi (be careful not to swallow its pink pearl, the rarest and most expensive in the world)
• Chicken boucanier
• The bokit
• "Caca beoeuf de Marie-Galante"
• The “torment of love”
• The famous tige’punch based on rum, cane sugar and green lemon

14. The Damoiseau Distillery

The discovery of a distillery is one of the things to do in Grande-Terre. Situated to the Moule , it represents the largest producer of agricultural rum throughout Guadeloupe. Guided tours of the factory are planned to show the traditional know-how that distinguishes this rum with its aromatic richness. The manufacture of rum is a scholarly process with as raw material sugar cane to obtain a final product of excellence, rum. And of course, these visits end with a tasting of a varied selection of rums.

How do I go to the Great Earth?

Air France, Corsair, Air Transat, Air Caribbean... Many airlines serve the archipelago of Guadeloupe. At the start of France, there are several flights, notably from Paris (average 9h of flight). As far as prices are concerned, the prices have their biggest peaks in the holiday season: therefore prefer low season to go to Guadeloupe. In wet season, outside July and August, temperatures remain pleasant and it is possible to find A/R tickets for about 500 euros. Moreover, to anticipate your departure, jaug the prices from time to time on others Ulysses : depending on your departure dates, this flight comparison selects the best prices in the market.

Located in the territory of the Abymes, in the heart of Guadeloupe and south of Grande-Terre, Pointe-à-Pitre Pôle Caribbean Airport is the main airport hub of the archipelago. Once on site, the ideal to visit Grande-Terre in its entirety and to be free in your petrifications is to opt for the car rental . Rental agencies are within walking distance from the arrival terminal.

You can choose to Karu’Lis , the urban transport network of Guadeloupe which is made available to users between the airport and Pointe-à-Pitre, the Abymes and the Gosier.

Where to stay in Grande-Terre?

In terms of animation, the four cities on the southern coast are the best ones: Point-à-Pitre, Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne and Saint-François. By their central position, cities such as Morne-à-L’eau and Le Moule will be strategic locations to visit Grande-Terre and do the unmissable things spread across the island.

With this hotel comparison, you will find hotels, (such as a small family structure in Port-Louis managed by a girl and her father so friendly that they will invite you for a traditional dinner very friendly to celebrate your birthday), cottages and unusual accommodations. For even more authenticity, choose to camp at home or choose an Airbnb: head in the guaranteed stars!