Places to Visit in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, America

Places to Visit in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, America

Pointe-a-Pitre is the largest city of Guadeloupe, an overseas collectivity of France. It is an administrative center of Pointe-a-Pitre arrondissement, located around 65 kms from Guadeloupian capital, Basse Terre. With the seaport, Port de Jarry and many textiles and medicine manufacturing centres, Pointe-a-Pitre serves as the commercial hub of Guadeloupe.

 

Geography of Pointe-a-Pitre:

Pointe-a-Pitre is geographically positioned between 16°14′28″ N latitude and 61°31′59″ W longitude, on the southwest part of Grande-Terre Island. It enjoys wet season from July and November.

 

History of Pointe-a-Pitre:

The literal meaning of Pointe-a-Pitre in local language is ‘headland of Pitre’. It is believed that, Pitre may be named after Portuguese Jewish sailor Pitre.

Pointe-a-Pitre was earlier damaged by many natural disasters during 18th and 19th centuries and later it has been gradually recovered by the different development programs by the France Government during the 20th century.

 

How to reach Pointe-a-Pitre?

Pointe-a-Pitre is home to the most important airport of Guadeloupe, Pointe-a-Pitre Le Raizet Airport which is placed in Abymes, 2.5 kms away from the center of Pointe-a-Pitre city. It operates both passenger and cargo flights to and from different European and American locations such as Miami, Paris, Antigua, Dominica, Montreal, San Juan, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Lucia,  Saint Martin, Santo Domingo and Sint Maarten.

Pointe-a-Pitre has a well developed public transportation that carries tourists to Basse Terre and other neighboring towns. Tourists can also use taxis and private cars for local travel.

 

Food and Culture in Pointe-a-Pitre:

La Fete des Cuisinieres is the main event that takes place in Pointe-a-Pitre in early August with banquets and dance programs.

France perfumes, watches, silver and madras cottons are purchasable products and the major shopping corners in Pointe-a-Pitre are:

  • Rosebleu
  • A La Pensee
  • Rues de Nozieres
  • Schoelcher

The famous restaurants in Pointe-a-Pitre are:

  • Yoshi Restaurant
  • La Canne a Sucre
  • Desir du Palais
  • Le Pirate Caribeen

 

Things to do in Pointe-a-Pitre:

  • Ti-Evasion Private Tours
  • Shopping
  • Regional Festivals

 

Places of interest in Pointe-a-Pitre:

Musee Saint-John Perse:

The Musee Saint-John Perse is a museum located on the 9 Nozieres Street in Pointe-a-Pitre, featuring lots about the life and work of famous Nobel laureate, Alexis Leger (St John Perse) who was the native of Pointe-a-Pitre.

 

Bas du Fort district:

The Bas du Fort is a hilltop fortress with history dating back to the 18th century, constructed in the Vauban style, located between Gosier and the city. Tourists can also spot lots of fishes in Guadeloupe Aquarium which is just kms away from Bas du Fort.

 

Musee Victor Schoelcher:

The Musee Victor Schoelcher is a museum devoted to Victor Schoelcher who was known for his work against slavery in Guadeloupe. It features bundles of artifacts from the ancient Guadeloupe.

 

Other places of interest in and around Pointe-a-Pitre include:

  • Place de la Victoire
  • The Basilica of St Peter and St Paul
  • Bel’Mangrov
  • Edgar Clerc Archeological Museum
  • Golf Municipal Saint-Francois
  • Parc des Roches Gravees
  • Cathedrale Saint Pierre Saint Paul

 

Best time to visit Pointe-a-Pitre:

From December to June will be the ideal time to trip Pointe-a-Pitre while the weather remains dry and supportive for outdoor activities.

 

Accommodation options in Pointe-a-Pitre:

Pointe-a-Pitre houses numerous luxury hotels ranging from 1 star to 3 star offering top class facilities and services to the visitors taking accommodation in such hotels. A list of prominent hotels and villas in Pointe-a-Pitre include:

  • Residence Village Viva
  • Le Bougainvillee
  • Hotel Le Soleil Levant
  • Village Soleil
  • La Cohoba
  • Hotel Saint John Perse
  • Coco Zabrico
  • An-tikaz-La
  • Gites Abahia
  • Barca a vela Tamala
  • Carpe Diem Place
  • Villa Bleue
  • Villa Zen
  • Diva
  • Residence Bord De Mer

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe, America

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe, America

Marie-Galante is an island belonging to Guadeloupe, an overseas territory of France, located in the Caribbean, surrounded by Guadeloupe in the north and northwest and Dominica towards south. Marie-Galante comprises of 3 communes such as Grand-Bourg, Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante and Saint-Louis. Tourism is the backbone of Marie-Galante’s economy with a nature trail, colonial dwellings and refurbished windmills.

 

Geography of Marie-Galante:

Because of its round outline and flat surface, Marie-Galante is generally called as “La grande galette” meaning’ Big Biscuit’. It is placed between 15°56′ N latitude and 61°16′ W longitude, stretching over an area of 170.5 kms².

 

History of Marie-Galante:

According to archeological evidences, Huecoids were the first indigenous people of Marie-Galante, later inhabited by Arawak tribe and caribs. The modern name Marie-Galante gets from Christopher Columbus, when his second voyage on November 3rd 1493 and he named in the esteem of Caravel of him.

 

How to reach Marie-Galante?

Marie-Galante is served by its own airport with connections to nearby Pointe-a-Pitre International Airport and few other domestic locations.

Marie-Galante has a good road network and mini vans are highly used for local travel and rental cars and taxis are other options for travel.

Boats are usually available to reach neighboring Guadeloupe Islands, advance booking is offered.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Marie-Galante:

Carib people dominate the population of Marie-Galante, followed by different European descents. Natives speak French well along with local languages.

Marie-Galante houses plenty of different kinds of modern and traditional shops all around the island and most of the upgraded shops are placed in the commune of Grand-Bourg. The major shops in Marie-Galante are:

  • Ste Coex Birhus-vital
  • Melasse Jose
  • Nicoleau Francis Alain
  • Sympa Shop

The prominent food corners in Marie-Galante are as follows:

  • La Playa
  • Manman’dlo La Sirene
  • Le Reflet de l’Ile
  • Maria Galanda

 

Things to do in Marie-Galante:

  • Canoeing
  • Swimming
  • Diving
  • Visiting historical sites
  • Shopping

 

Tourist Attractions in Marie-Galante:

 

Murat Plantation:

Murat Plantation is a historic building which was constructed in 1960 as a luxury hotel but later it was converted into a sugar estate residence. Now tourists can visit warehouses, sugar refinery chimney, beautiful garden with variety of plants and shrubs, old livestock-powered mill on the site of an old plantation.

 

Plage de la Feuillere Beach:

The Plage de la Feuillere is the best beach of Marie-Galante adjoining Grand-Bourg. It is a 2 kms long beautiful white sand beach frequented by swimmers and sunbathers (both locals and tourists).

 

Armand Baptiste Sculpture Gallery:

Armand Baptiste Sculpture Gallery has a large collection of wooden sculptures made from diverse native woods such as manchioneel, campeachy and ebony. Tourists are allowed.

 

List of other places of interest in Marie-Galante include:

  • Bielle distillery
  • Plage de la Feuillere Beach
  • Feuillere Beach
  • Eloi Chassela Agro-Marine Museum
  • Poisson Distillery
  • The Punch Pond
  • The Roussel-Trianon Plantation
  • Distillerie Bellevue
  • Sa Ka Plonje
  • Plage de la Ferriere
  • Le Touloulou
  • Temple Hindou de Changy
  • Man’balaou Club de Plongee

 

Ideal time to visit Marie-Galante:

The best time to travel Marie-Galante is between the months of January and May.

 

Where to stay in Marie-Galante?

Marie-Galante is packed with full of luxury resorts and villas with world class facilities such as spa, internet access, 24 hour room  service and help desk, food on request, doctor on call, airport shuttle and different entertainment activities. A list of the prominent hotels in Marie-Galante is as follows:

  • La Kallina
  • Au Bon Jouir
  • La Rose du Bresil
  • Village de Menard
  • Cap Reva
  • L’Oasis
  • Coco Beach Resort
  • Habitation Bioche
  • Au Jardin de Beausejour
  • Les Gites Tit’Anse
  • Kristal’Inn Cottage
  • Kawann Beach Hotel
  • Villa les Bougainvilliers
  • Les Bulles de Marie Galante
  • Hotel Restaurant La Souriciere

Tourist Places to Visit in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe, America

Tourist Places to Visit in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe, America

Les Saintes (Iles des Saintes) is an archipelago belonging to Guadeloupe, one of the special collectivities of France. It is surrounded by Marie-Galante Island in the east, Basse-Terre Island in the north, and in south by the island country, Dominica. Fond-du-Cure is the capital and Petite-Anse is the largest city of Les Saintes.

 

Geography of Les Saintes:

Les Saintes coordinates with 15°51′ N latitude and 61°36′ W longitude and occupies an area of 12.8 sq. kms.

 

History of Les Saintes:

The literal meaning of Îles des Saintes in French is ‘Islands of the Saints’. The history of Les Saintes dates back to 1648, when it was conquered by French along with other Caribbean Islands such as Basse-Terre, Marie-Galante, Grande-Terre and La Desirade. Later British captured Les Saintes in 1759 but it came back to the control of French in 1763, finally it was merged with Guadeloupe as an overseas territory of France on 19th March 1946.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Les Saintes:

Les Saintes is rich in culture housing many French architectural style colonial buildings and monuments. A Salako is a traditional hat and Tourment d’amour is special tartlet, which are unique features of Les Saintes.

There are different types of shops selling clothing, souvenirs and perfumes sited in main island Terre-de-Haut and other typical shops offer colorful paintings by local artists. Credit cards are widely accepted in all the major shops of Les Saintes.

The prominent food corners in Les Saintes are:

  • Ti Kaz La
  • Ti-bo Doudou
  • La Saladerie
  • Kaz a man Albe

 

Tourist Attractions in Les Saintes:

Fort Napoleon des Saintes:

Built on the bluff on Terre-de-Haut Island, the Fort Napoleon was initially constructed by French with name ‘Fort Louis’ but British demolished it in 1809. It was reconstructed in 1867, named in the honor of Napoleon III. Now it has been converted into a museum with lots of historical and cultural artifacts of Îles des Saintes.

 

Notre Dame de l’Assomption:

Notre Dame de l’Assomption is a Roman Catholic Church of Les Saintes is situated in the Terre-de-Haut Island. It was added to the National Heritage Site of France on 31st December 1979.

 

Les Saintes beaches:

The archipelago of Les Saintes houses numerous splendid beaches and the famous beaches include Pompierre, Anse Rodrigue, Anse Figuier, Grande-Anse, Anse à Dos and Crawen.

 

Other places of interest in Les Saintes include:

  • Cool l’Heure des Saintes
  • Le Chameau
  • Pisquettes Plongee
  • Clear Blue Caraibes
  • Caroline Artillery battery
  • Joséphine Fort
  • Terre-de-Haut lighthouse
  • Chapel of the Calvary
  • Abymes hill
  • St Nicholas’ Church
  • Pain de sucre

 

Best time to visit Les Saintes:

The ideal time to travel Les Saintes is from December to April while the weather will be supportive for beach exploration.

 

Accommodation options in Les Saintes:

Being one of the best tourist destinations in Caribbean, Les Saintes has some prominent hotels offering top class facilities and services to the tourists visiting the place all round the year. Hotels provide the best hospitality services such as free internet with Wi-Fi, hot water bath, spa and sauna, body massages and therapies as well as delicious and healthy local and international cuisines. Other than these facilities and services, hotels also arrange different entertainment and recreational activities and tours as well. The major prominent hotels in Les Saintes are listed below:

  • Les Petits Saints
  • LoBleu Hotel
  • Chambres d’Hotes Amarelao
  • Pain de Sucre
  • Anse Figuier
  • Residence Anse Caraibe
  • Hotel Bois Joli
  • Hotel Bois Joli
  • Chez Viviane
  • COCO FESSE

Places to Visit in Grand-Bourg, Guadeloupe, America

Places to Visit in Grand-Bourg, Guadeloupe, America

Grand-Bourg is a commune situated in Marie-Galante Island in Guadeloupe, the French overseas region. It houses the head offices of the communal association of Marie-Galante, and Marie-Galante Airfield. Most of Marie-Galante Island’s population are settled in Grand-Bourg because of its pleasant environment and infrastructure.

Some highlights of Grand-Bourg are the Murat Plantation, Armand Baptiste Sculpture Gallery, the Roussel-Trianon Plantation and Bielle distillery.

 

Geography of Grand-Bourg:

Grand-Bourg is geographically located between 15°53′ N latitude and 61°19′ W longitude, in the southwest of Marie-Galante Island. It covers a land area of 55.54 sq. kms and experiences a wet season from July to November.

 

History of Grand-Bourg:

It is believed that, Grand-Bourg was visited by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage of America. The fort of Grand-Bourg was built in 1653.

 

Connectivity to Grand-Bourg:

The Marie-Galante Airport serves Grand-Bourg with only domestic and charter flights. Due to this, international tourists are needed to reach Pointe-a-Pitre International Airport (in Grande-Terre Island) first and then reach the port of Grande-Terre by hiring a taxi or car and take a water taxi or ferry from Grande-Terre port to Marie-Galante port.

Pointe-a-Pitre International Airport is the major airport of Guadeloupe well served by many prominent international airlines with scheduled flights to and from major European, Caribbean and North American destinations.

Tourists can use a taxi or minibuses for local travel, and rental cars are also available.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Grand-Bourg:

Grand-Bourg is a picturesque location housing all the kinds of shops such as jewelry, handicraft items and embroidery products. Try fresh rum.

The prominent restaurants in and around Grand-Bourg are as follows:

  • Aux Alizes des Basses
  • Le delice des marins
  • Auberge de La Roche d’Or
  • Le Reflet de l’Ile
  • Manman’dlo La Sirene

 

Things to do in Grand-Bourg:

  • Swimming
  • Snorkeling
  • Visiting old plantations
  • Shopping

 

Places of interest in and around Grand-Bourg:

 

Armand Baptiste Sculpture Gallery:

Tourists can come across a variety of wooden sculptures made by ebony, manchioneel and campeachy in Armand Baptiste Sculpture Gallery. Also visitors can spot pottery artifacts in Au Gres Des Iles Potter’s Workshop.

 

Eloi Chassela Agro-Marine Museum:

The Eloi Chassela Agro-Marine Museum is located in the vicinity of the Grand-Bourg beach featuring different artifacts related to marine, history and culture of Marie-Galante. Don’t forget to have a fruit drink at the museum. Entrance is free.

 

Poisson Distillery:

Poisson Distillery is one of the historical identities of Grand-Bourg, built in 1870. It is widely known for the production of Pere Labat rum and tourists can learn the rum production process here. Products are available at the local shops.

 

Other places of interest in and around Grand-Bourg include:

  • The Punch Pond
  • The Roussel-Trianon Plantation
  • The Murat Plantation
  • Bielle distillery
  • Plage de la Feuillere Beach
  • Feuillere Beach
  • Distillerie Bellevue
  • Sa Ka Plonje
  • Plage de la Ferriere
  • Man’balaou Club de Plongee
  • Les Delices de Siblet
  • Le Touloulou
  • Kreol West Indies
  • Temple Hindou de Changy

 

Best time to visit Grand-Bourg:

From January to May is the best time to trip Grand-Bourg while the weather remains dry.

 

Accommodation options in Grand-Bourg:

Grand-Bourg provides numerous standard hotel accommodation facilities to the tourists visiting the place from time to time. Tourists can book a hotel room well in advance through online to avoid difficulty in getting hotel rooms during peak season. The major hotels and resorts in and around Grand-Bourg are as follows:

  • L’Oasis
  • Coco Beach Resort
  • Kawann Beach Hotel
  • Villa les Bougainvilliers
  • La Kallina
  • Au Bon Jouir
  • La Rose du Bresil
  • Village de Menard
  • Cap Reva
  • Les Bulles de Marie Galante
  • Hotel Restaurant La Souriciere
  • Habitation Bioche
  • Au Jardin de Beausejour
  • Les Gites Tit’Anse
  • Kristal’Inn Cottage
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