Guadeloupe is justifiably proud of its spectacular beaches, many of which are well sheltered and ideal for swimming. The natural beaches, all beautiful to behold, range from the long white stretches of Grande-Terre to the darker sands of Basse-Terre. Standouts include those at Ste. Anne, St. François and Le Moule on Grande-Terre as well as Grande Anse / Deshaies on Basse-Terre. Public beaches are free, though some may charge for parking. Unlike hotel beaches, they have few facilities. Hotels generally welcome non-guests but charge for changing facilities, beach chairs and towels. The only clothing-optional beach is a small cove at Plage Tarare near Pointe-des-Châteaux. As is true with clothing-optional beaches everywhere, women should not arrive alone. Topless sunning and swimming is more common at hotels than on village beaches. Take your cue from how the locals are dressed.

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More and more travelers to are choosing the independence and freedom of private villa rental for their island vacations.

While French Caribbean International does not currently have any villas available in Guadeloupe, we do offer a sensational variety of unique properties located in other islands.
These properties range from cozy beachfront cottages to magnificent luxury estates.

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CAR RENTALS
Since Guadeloupe is a large island with many interesting places to visit, renting a car is probably the best way to go. Vehicle rentals can be arranged in advance by contacting the large, international companies, most of which operate from the airport in Guadeloupe. There are also many local car rental companies operating from the airport and other locations on the island. Most larger hotels offer car rental services to their clients as well.

Roads are generally good on Guadeloupe and vehicles drive on the right. Drivers are skillful but, as in most of the world, everyone seems to be in a hurry and tailgating is common. When entering roundabouts (traffic circles), always yield to others and stay to the right until you see your exit. If you have a specific appointment, always allow extra time for slow moving trucks or groups of bicyclists (cycling is a major sport on the island), since many roads are only two lanes . Traffic rules and signage are the same as in France. For stays of 20 days or less, a valid driver's license is needed. For longer stays, an international driver's permit is necessary.


TAXI AND BUS TRANSPORTATION
Taxis are generally available at the airport when flights are due. Check with the driver for the fare before entering the cab. Fares are 40% higher from 21:00 in the evening to 7:00 in the morning, daily, Sundays and holidays.

There is regular bus service throughout the island; buses arrive at most areas approximately every 15 minutes. Buses run from 5:00 until 18:00. There are bus-stop signs and shelters but a wave to the driver from the roadside will usually get you aboard. The bus is inexpensive and can be fun, but is often time consuming because of all the stops.


TWO WHEEL TRANSPORTATION
Bicycles, scooters and motorbikes are also an option, but given the unfamiliar terrain and the volume of traffic in Guadeloupe, two wheel rentals are recommended only for the most experienced riders. All foreign driver's licenses are honored. Major credit cards are often accepted.

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GUADELOUPE: Tours / Sightseeing

GUADELOUPE: Tours / Sightseeing : GRANDE-TERRE

Pointe-à-Pitre, the island's main city is located on the on eastern "butterfly wing" of Grande-Terre and can be interesting to explore on foot. Among the most popular attractions are the open-air and covered marketplaces just a couple of streets from the harbor front. They are worth a visit not only for their multicolored and many-scented treasures, but also because of the animated exchanges of the locals. By contrast, jewelry and French high fashion are available in abundance along the narrow, bustling streets of the city. On the Rue Peynier behind the St. Antoine Market, is the Musée Schoelcher, dedicated to Victor Schoelcher, the man credited with helping abolish slavery. Not far away, on the Rue René-Boisneuf, a plaque marks No. 54 as the birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning poet St. John Perse. Nearby, the Musée Saint-John Perse is housed in a handsome, historic, much-photographed building, located on the corner of Rues A.R. Boisneuf and Nozières.The modern Centre Saint-John Perse, a beautifully designed commercial complex on the city's harbor front, has a hotel, boutiques, shops and restaurants. Easily accessible to cruise passengers, it is conveniently located for other visitors as well.Place de la Victoire remains a cool oasis in the bustle of Pointe-à-Pitre. In addition to royal palms, there are majestic shade trees called sabliers, as well as Gabon tulip trees and royal poincianas. Bordering the Place are houses mostly made of wood with attractive open-air balconies. These buildings, dating from the island's colonial past, lend a stylish, old world atmosphere to this part of town. Not far from here is the 19th-century Cathédrale de St. Pierre et St. Paul, nicknamed the ''Iron Cathedral" because of its skeleton of bolted iron ribs, designed to keep the church standing through hurricanes and earthquakes. In the opposite direction, away from the port, is a new area of startling modern architecture.Grande-Terre offers an abundance of beautiful beaches and many fascinating sights. Leaving Pointe-à-Pitre on the "Riviera" road that leads to many of the island's tourist hotels, the first area of interest is Bas-du-Fort. It has a large, handsome marina for boats and yachts and the historic Fort Fleur d'Epée. Next, just off the main highway, is the Guadeloupe Aquarium, which ranks as number four in all of France. Gosier, with its convenient central location, is the major resort area of the island. Continuing east, past popular Ste. Anne and the resorts of St. François, one comes to the rocky formations of Pointe des Châteaux, a most surprising landscape for the Caribbean, resembling Land's End or Finistère in Europe. In the distance is La Désirade island. Ste. Anne, St. François and Le Moule include some of the island's most beautiful beaches.Continuing on around the coast, the road passes a stately colonial Maison Zevallos and goes through Le Moule, formerly the capital of Guadeloupe. Here, the handsome Musée Edgar Clerc, is a gem both architecturally and historically. Further north is the Porte d'Enfer (Gate of Hell), a jagged coast with a magnificent view; and finally La Pointe de la Grande Vigie overlooks a stunning scene of stark white cliffs rising abruptly from the ocean. Returning to Pointe-a-Pitre, one passes through the towns of Port Louis, Petit-Canal and Morne-a-l'Eau. The latter is known for its very large cemetery which resembles a miniature city with black and white tile and aboveground crypts. On the night of All Saints (November 1), the amphitheater-shaped cemetery is ablaze with thousands of candles.

GUADELOUPE: Tours / Sightseeing : BASSE-TERRE

Guadeloupe's western ''butterfly wing" is Basse-Terre. After crossing the Pont de la Gabare bridge over the Rivière Salée, one has the choice of going either north or south along the coast, or straight into the National Park, an ecological wonderland covering one-fifth of Guadeloupe's total terrain. Those going directly to the Park will encounter a lush rain forest and enjoy such sites as the Cascade Ecrévisses, a sparkling waterfall and pond, the Parc Bras David, for good walking tours of varying lengths, and the Parc Zoologique et Botanique, an interesting zoo and botanical garden. For travelers following the northern route, a first stop could be the Compagnie Fermière de Grosse Montagne, a working sugar factory that is itself a work of art. The refinery was recently revamped, its gigantic machinery repainted in a rainbow of vibrant colors, resembling a Guadeloupean version of Paris' Centre Georges Pompidou. Further west, just before Ste. Rose, is the Musée du Rhum, which traces the island's proud history as a rum producer. The museum has explanatory texts in English. A free dégustation (tasting) is included in the entrance fee . Turning south along the leeward coast, one finds miles and miles of beautiful stretches of sand, topped off by the magnificent Grande Anse Beach. Underwater enthusiasts will want to stop at Malendure Beach, for a trip by glass bottom boat to its offshore Pigeon Island and Cousteau Reserve, one of the best dive spots in the world.South of here at Vieux-Habitants is one of Guadeloupe's oldest churches, and still further south one encounters the capital city of Basse-Terre, its historic fortification dating from 1643. Formerly called Fort St. Charles, in 1990 it was renamed Fort Delgrès commemorating Louis Delgrès, whose death in 1802 made him an early hero in the movement for abolition of slavery. Other sights in the city of Basse-Terre include a colorful outdoor market and three imposing monuments: the Prefecture, Conseil Général, and Palais de Justice, all majestic reminders of the island's colonial past.From Basse-Terre city there are wonderful views of the impressive dormant volcano, La Soufrière, seven and a half miles away. Motorcoaches take visitors through the lovely suburb of Saint Claude almost to the top of the mountain. You can hike (take a jacket, it can be chilly) to the very summit (1444 m /4,813 ft) to see the amazing fumaroles and wisps of sulfur vapor (they can also be seen from the parking area at Savane à Mulets). Recommended on an excursion to La Soufrière is a visit to the museum at the lookout point, which describes the arc of volcanoes that formed the Lesser Antilles.Heading further south, be sure to stop at the Centre de Broderie, or lace-making center in Vieux-Fort. Hundreds of intricate handmade designs are on display and for sale. From here, it's on to Trois Rivières and the lush grounds of the famous Parc des Roches Gravées, with its rock engravings of animal and human figures by the pre-Columbian Arawak Indians, most likely done between 300 and 400 A.D. From Trois Rivières, you can also catch a ferry to the nearby islands of Les Saintes.At Bananier, stop to enjoy the view of the offshore islands of Les Saintes. A detour to the west brings you to the trails leading to the three magnificent Chutes du Carbet (the Caribbean's highest waterfalls) and the Grand Etang (Grand Pond). Returning to Pointe-à-Pitre via Basse-Terre's eastern coast, you'll drive through the famous Allée Dumanoir, a dramatic stretch of road lined with century-old royal palms. Popular stops along this coast are the Hindu Temple at Changy and Ste. Marie where Columbus landed (a monument commemorates the event). Just before reaching Grande-Terre, a stop should be made at the lush Domaine de Valombreuse, a six-acre floral park located just outside Petit-Bourg and featuring over 100 varieties of tropical plants and flowers.

 

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