Having been in operation since 1863, the Beauport sugar refinery closed in 1990. Since then the remodelled site has taken on a new lease of life in the guise of a huge cultural centre, replacing the sugar industry that brought prosperity to Port-Loui..

In the east of Basse-Terre lies a huge wooded park, home to exotic species, colourful flowers, fragrant spices… refreshed by lakes, pools and rivers: this is the Jardin d’Eau, ideal for picnics in the open air after the fashion of the locals, canoe t..

The park recalls the first settlers of Guadeloupe, the Caribs and Arawak (essentially the same people) who arrived long before the Europeans. The culture of that period remains little known; archaeological remains have proven difficult to interpret. ..

Since 1995, Basse-Terre has been classified by France’s ministry of culture as an art and history town. Located in a superb early 19C bourgeois residence, the Maison du patrimoine (heritage centre) offers facilities ranging from conferences to the cu..

Most of Basse-Terre is covered by tropical rainforest. The Route de la Traversée takes visitors into this world of huge trees (chestnuts, mahogany, figs…), sheltering luxuriant vegetation comprising thick ferns, ficus and other philodendron species. ..

The park provides an opportunity to learn more about the tropical forest’s diversity of plant species, and to see the island’s indigenous animal life in its natural environment. At the heart of the Guadeloupe natural park, visitors can also walk thro..

Between Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre lies the Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marin nature reserve, encompassing both land and sea. From the coastal mangroves to the coral reef forming its boundary lays a rich marine environment in which visitors may be lucky enoug..

This charming and inspiring garden introduces visitors to Guadeloupe’s botanical treasures and their traditional applications. It is in effect an exhaustive inventory of creole medicinal plants, including the commonplace spices grown around every fam..

A chance to get to know the real Guadeloupe and its traditions, under the aegis of a Guadeloupean who is passionate about his island and knows how to convey his enthusiasm. Meet Frantz Montella at Casa An Tan Lontan, see his carefully presented exhib..

On the northeast side of Terre-Haute, Pompierre beach is the best on the isalnd. Several rudimentary buildings stand in the shade of the coconut trees. The calm sea is ideal for diving.

Lying to the east of Basse-Terre, Marie-Galante is named after one of the ships ( Santa Maria Galanda ) of Christopher Columbus, who discovered the island in 1493. It is a charming spot where the inhabitants still work primarily in the sugar cane ind..

Housing a small archive on the history of Marie-Galante, Château Murat is a Classical-style building standing on high ground, a best-guess reconstruction of the original sugar estate residence. It was built in the 1960s as a luxury hotel, but the p..

Operational from 1814 to 1941, the windmill, with its pointed roof, grinding mechanism and tiller allowing the sails to be in the wind, has been entirely restored. The inspiring visit to this old-style mill, recalling some 100-odd other such structur..

Those who have dreamt of a peaceful, sparsely populated island where visitors can truly relax need dream no more; such a place does exist. To the east of Grande-Terre, La Désirade remains untouched by mass tourism, a haven of peace where nature remai..

Old Pointe-à-Pitre is best seen on foot; of modest size, it lies between Boulevard Chanzy to the north and the sea to the south. Fabric shoppers should head to busy Rue Frébault, while there are foodstuffs aplenty at colourful St-Antoine market. In t..

The Bas-du-Fort district is perfect for nightowls, especially since Pointe-à-Pitre is not known for its liveliness after dark! Head for the marina (on the Le Gosier road), upon which the ad hoc establishments are centred. The district is also worth..

Guillaume Guillon Lethière (1760-1832) was a gifted painter originally from Sainte-Anne, whose career took him to Paris and Rome. Notable works of his include The Death of Virginia , The Oath of our Ancestors and Christ and the Woman of Caanan . ..

Coconut trees shading white sand, clear waters: this beach to the west of Sainte-Anne is a picture-postcard of paradise. La Caravelle is the site of a Club Med resort, but this is not to its detriment and it should not be missed. The long beach at th..

The Grands Fonds region at the centre of Grande-Terre lies inland from Sainte-Anne, Morne-à-l'Eau and Le Moule. It is the quintessence of agricultural Guadeloupe with fruit farms and other food producing plantations. Deep valleys border the expanses ..

A last survivor from Grande-Terre’s golden age of sugar production from the late 19C to the 1950s, the refinery allows visitors to better understand the sugar manufacturing process, from its raw cane state to the finished product ready for export. A ..