Guadeloupe in 10 days

Basse-Terre is an island that lives to the rhythm of its volcanoes and attracts many hikers. It is also much wilder than its neighbour Grande-Terre. As soon as you arrive in Guadeloupe, we advise you to head for this volcanic land, to the west of the butterfly island, to soak up all the power of the archipelago and appreciate its natural spaces - including the unmissable Guadeloupe National Park.

Trois-Rivières

At the southern tip of the island, Trois-Rivières is one of the main villages of Basse-Terre. Facing the Caribbean Sea and the Saintes archipelago, this is where we recommend you buy rum, spices and exotic flowers. Head for the Trois-Rivières market, one of the oldest on the island.

A surfing spot par excellence, Grande Anse beach is also known for its fine sand, but in black! Warning: bring beach shoes when you go swimming, as the sand can be scorching hot at certain times of the day.

On your second day, you may want to recover from jet lag... And there's no better way to do that than to take a moment of "calm and soothing" in*the forest of the National Park.

The hot springs of Dolé

Hidden away in the tropical vegetation, the Dolé hot springs are a delight for young and old alike. After a leisurely stroll through the forest, you'll gradually make your way to the heart-shaped Amours bath, the natural Amours pool and the public bath. The icing on the cake: access to this site is completely free.

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The Carbet Falls

If you like hiking, we recommend the Carbet Falls, a series of 3 waterfalls between 20 and 125 metres high. The trail is well signposted and accessible to both children and senior citizens. The second waterfall is, in our opinion, the most beautiful.

For your third day in Guadeloupe, we recommend taking the Route de la Traversée, a panoramic route through the Basse-Terre massif. There are several stops along the 17-kilometre route, and a day won't be too long to discover all its secrets. Don't miss the Maison de la Forêt, where you can visit an exhibition on Guadeloupe's forests. To find out more about the Route de la Traversée, read our article on this Guadeloupe must-see.

Réserve Cousteau is one of Guadeloupe's must-see spots. With more than 1,000 hectares of seabed, you'll have an incredible chance to see multicoloured fish and sea turtles. To find out more about this magical place and its various activities, we invite you to read our article on the Cousteau reserve.

A veritable paradise on earth, this islet is 250 metres long and around twenty metres wide, promising some wonderful underwater discoveries. Surprisingly, this little corner of paradise is the result of dead coral and the cumulative effects of the sea, wind and underwater movements. However, life has reclaimed its rightful place, and today îlet Caret is a sanctuary for sea turtles and many species of birds.

Caret Island is accessible exclusively by boat. Several departures are offered daily from the ports of Marina Gosier, Sainte-Rose, Port-Louis, Deshaies, Saint-François and Sainte-Anne.

It's time to leave Basse-Terre for Grande-Terre. For a smooth transition between these two islands with their very different characters, don't hesitate to devote yourself to a 100% nature day: ideal for discovering the island's most beautiful landscapes and natural sites.

The Pointe des Châteaux

With its air of Brittany, the Pointe des Châteaux is the most easterly point on the island. Its headland plunges into the Atlantic, next to the commune of Saint-François. Although swimming is prohibited, the area is highly recommended for its many walks. You can spend as little as a few hours or as much as a whole day here.

If you want to discover the area in a unique way, we recommend a microlight flight. It's a 20-minute flight that will take your breath away! You should budget around €50 per person for this type of activity.

The Pointe de la Grande Anse

Less popular than the rest of the island, the Pointe de la Grande Anse is located in the north of Grande-Terre. It is characterised by steep cliffs several dozen metres high. Not far away is the Porte de l'Enfer, a wind-sheltered cove that serves as a backdrop to a crystal-clear lagoon. A unique swimming spot in Guadeloupe! On site, you'll also find a picnic area and a Creole restaurant. So you can spend the day with family or friends in this magical place.

Extend your visit to northern Grande-Terre and immerse yourself in Creole culture! Let yourself be carried from village to village, and take the time to chat with the locals.

Petit-Canal

To find out more about the history of Guadeloupe, head to the village of Petit-Canal. This place of remembrance includes the ruins of the old prison, the Marches des Esclaves (in front of the church, where slaves were once sold) and the Tronc des Âmes (symbol of the abolition of slavery). In the centre of the village, the Maison de l'Environnement organises several excursions into the mangrove swamp.

Port-Louis is a small fishing port well worth a visit, with its Creole houses and gentle way of life. It's also the ideal village for a lunch break! If you're looking for a good meal of fresh fish, head to the Poisson d'Or restaurant, facing the sea: you'll enjoy an incredible view of crystal-clear waters.

But the town's main attraction is undoubtedly its cemetery. Situated on the seafront at the end of Plage du Souffleur, the cemetery is unique in that its tombs are dug into the sand and surrounded by conch shells.

Vieux-Bourg is a pretty little commune at the gateway to the Grand Cul-De-Sac Marin National Park. It's here that we recommend exploring the mangroves on board a small motorboat. Keep your eyes peeled: you're sure to spot mangroves as far as the eye can see, as well as some of the island's most emblematic animals.

Grande-Terre is home to Guadeloupe's largest seaside resorts: Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne and Saint-François. The most beautiful beaches are undoubtedly on Sainte-Anne, with the Caravelle and Bois Jolan beaches. There's plenty of opportunity to recharge your batteries by the water for a day...

To find out more about these must-sees, read our articles on Le Gosier and the seaside resorts of **Saint-François and Sainte-Anne.

La Désirade is a desert island with a touch of Brittany about it. A small island just 11 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide, it boasts pristine beaches, coconut palms, a lagoon and Guadeloupe's oldest lighthouse. Classified as a nature reserve, it is also home to numerous iguanas and other animals endemic to the Caribbean.

A day trip is highly recommended for nature lovers. To reach La Désirade, you can take the boat from Saint-François. The crossing takes around 30 minutes and costs 25 euros per person. Don't miss the last boat back at 4.30pm!

To round off your stay in Guadeloupe, it would be a shame not to devote a whole day to visiting Pointe-à-Pitre. This is the main city of the Guadeloupe archipelago. The airport is located here. The town is full of restaurants and shops where you can buy a few souvenirs to take home with you. And don't forget to visit the market square to stock up on spices!