As the tourist season kicks into high gear, Guadeloupe islands
offers its visitors an immersive experience that heightens the senses. Such as hiking through beautiful landscapes to enjoy the serenity of nature.
EYES OPEN WIDE ~ Guadeloupe Islands has a lot to offer those who enjoy nature walks. Exceptional sites that are a treat for the eyes, such as the majestic Soufrière volcano. This “grand dame” peaks at an altitude of 1,467 meters, and is the highest summit in the Lesser Antilles. Climbing this still-active volcano affords hikers a diversity of landscapes, including a tropical forest with luxurious vegetation and tall trees whose breathtaking view overlooks Les Saintes and other islands in the archipelago. There is also the National Park of Guadeloupe. Lagoon, fairytale forests, and mangroves create a unique ecosystem… the site was designated as an international biosphere reserve by UNESCO. One can explore myriad places on land or by sea, including the largest coral reef in the Lesser Antilles with its rainbow-colored fauna: tropical fish, starfish, sea turtles… from La Désirade to La Grande Terre, “the islands of Guadeloupe are a Garden of Eden for beginning to expert divers,” points out Sonia Taillepierre, President of the Islands of Guadeloupe (CTIG).
FASCINATION ~ For the more contemplative, excursions are not needed to be fascinated. Elbows on the balcony from your perch in Terre-de-Bas to savor the fabulous view of the waters around Les Saintes. Or enjoy a moment of tranquility watching the sunset over a white-sand beach in Terre-de- Haut… The views around the archipelago are as pretty as postcards, small slices of paradise. More than 400 kilometers of beaches add to the personalization of vacations, including a variety of water sports for high-energy activities as Guadeloupe boasts internationally acclaimed spots for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. All set against a color palette of sandy tints from white and golden to volcanic black. From the beach at Anse du Souffleur to La Désirade, from Anse de Mays in Marie-Galante to Pain de Sucre in Les Saintes… with the pleasure of warm, crystal-clear water. And when it’s time to set out and discover Guadeloupe, there are endless surprises, some even within walking distance. And a trip across Marie-Galante on a bicycle is an enriching experience, riding past numerous windmills, rum distilleries, and dense mangroves. Another fascinating experience is to visit the highest peaks on the island. In a gyroplane or ultra-light helicopter for those who like to fly, or even a jump with a parachute for an adrenaline-pumping experience in the sky.
A RICH CULTURE, A DENSE HISTORY ~ Mémorial ACTe, in the heart of Pointe à Pître, provides the most immersive look at the history of Guadeloupe. Inaugurated in 2015 with an impressive permanent collection of objects and works of art, “it is the guardian of the memories and history of the slave trade from antiquity to the present day,” notes Willy Rosier, CEO of the CTIG. To understand this important piece of history, the “Slave Route,” as defined by UNESCO, is a circuit that comprises 18 sites including Fort Delgrès in Basse-Terre, the place of resistance to the restoration of slavery in 1802. Also on the “route” are the eco-museum at Habitation Murat in Marie-Galante and the Schœlcher Museum in Grande-Terre. Several other notable places allow us to go back in time, such as the former Fidelin Pottery Works founded in 1760 at Terre-de-Bas in Les Saintes, where the vestiges, ranging from old cisterns, ovens, an animal-powered mill, and manor house, tell an interesting story… Other facets of history can be found in a gemstone-cutting atelier in La Désirade, where Basalt, Jasper, and Prehnite are transformed into jewelry in the hands of a talented artist.
FLAVORS AND FRAGRANCES ~ A voyage to the archipelago of Guadeloupe would not be complete without discovering the local specialties that are a treat to the taste buds. The most well-known are tasty “accras de morue” or small cod fritters, “bokit” or stuffed sandwiches, and the Creole “kassav” or galettes made with manioc flour. Not to mention award-winning honey from the islands of Guadeloupe, as well as coffee grown and roasted locally, including authentic Arabica considered amongst the best in the world. And the aromas of cacao and agricultural rum… Welcome to Guadeloupe Islands, also known for its floral fragrances. The Jardin de Valombreuse in Petit-Bourg features a setting with more than 1,000 flowers and trees alongside pink flamingos, scarlet ibis, and macaws. A showcase for the exceptional biodiversity that represents the archipelago.
INFORMATIONS: www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com
Autor : Agnès Monlouis-Félicité
