Of course, there is colombo, Ti Punch or accras, taste pleasures not necessarily very light which did not prevent athletes Laura Flessel, Teddy Riner or Lilian Thuram from becoming great champions thereafter. But Guadeloupe remains an incredibly rich island for its extremely varied landscapes, from sublime seabed to impressive volcanic vapors. Our columnist Jean-Bernard Carillet makes you discover all the beauty of this Caribbean archipelago, the promise of a total change of scenery.
A dive in the Cousteau Reserve
Guadeloupe can first be discovered through its seabed. The Cousteau Reserve is made up of several islets 1 km off the west coast. In the 1960s, the famous commander in the red cap, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, declared that the area around these islets was one of the most beautiful diving sites in the world and that it deserved to be protected. This is a brilliant marketing stunt. An underwater park has been created and since the 1970s has become a major diving center in Guadeloupe.
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We're not going to lie to each other, it's not the Galapagos. But frankly, despite the 80,000 dives per year, it's a very good surprise. There are plenty of gorgonians and small fish, an aquarium with 3 to 6 m of water, an underwater garden with beautiful coral. It is ideal for a baptism or snorkeling, because it is very safe if you are a beginner.
A "lunar" excursion to La Soufrière
The La Soufrière volcano, on Basse-Terre (to the west), offers a memorable and, above all, accessible experience. The altitude is 1467 m. It is a fairly recent and still active volcano. You can see the sulphurous vapors at the top, after two hours of not too difficult climb.
There is first the tropical forest then, as one goes up, the vegetation becomes more and more scarce. We observe a change in color, green gives way to more yellow, ocher colors. It is even a lunar landscape that is discovered when you arrive near the summit with pitons, crevasses and fumaroles that come from the center of the earth. And if the clouds tear, we enjoy a 360-degree view of the archipelago. It takes a little luck, because the summit is in the clouds 300 days a year.
An incredible view from the Grande-Terre side
Now let's go to Grande-Terre, to the east. You can visit the Pointe des Châteaux, at the eastern end of the island. It is the equivalent of the Pointe du Raz, in Brittany. It is a very wild place, you leave your vehicle in the parking lot and follow a path that leads to a belvedere. There is a great view of the jagged coastline and the raging waves crashing against the shoreline. On the other hand, it is not a place for swimming.
At La Désirade, the perfect place to swim
If you want to swim, there are plenty of magnificent beaches on Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, but paradise is on the island of Désirade, east of Grande-Terre. It is the least known island of the archipelago. Its characteristics: 11 km by 2 km, only 1,500 inhabitants, most of the descendants of Bretons and only one road.
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Are you looking for a dream beach? That of the Blower is ideal. Light and fine sand, the shade of palm trees, a hammock stretched between two trunks, a little sea breeze that comes to lick your face ... If you are a little hungry or a little thirsty, there is a trailer by the sea. beach which offers a fricassee of queen conch, a shell with delicious flesh.
Rather Marie-Galante ...
On Marie-Galante, there is an appreciable traditional and rural spirit, it is Guadeloupe of 50 years ago, with beautiful distilleries that you can visit. On the other hand, the island is flat like a pancake.
… Or Les Saintes?
In Les Saintes, there is a more pronounced relief, with hikes and sumptuous viewpoints. The bay of Saintes is also one of the most beautiful in the world. In Les Saintes, there are two inhabited islands: if you fancy some entertainment, the Terre de Haut is recommended, with plenty of small bars and restaurants in the main town, and all the sailboats that anchor in the bay. It is the postcard of the Caribbean par excellence.
If you want to cut yourself off from everything, head to Terre-de-Bas, the island next door. There, it is absolute calm, with cross paths and very pretty walks. You can take a little tour of the Maison de l'Artisanat, where you can find beautiful objects made locally, such as salakos (round braided hats worn by fishermen, decorative fishing traps, and objects made with wood. fleet…).