Guadeloupe: The Five Sides of Paradise
T h e F C C A C r u i s e C o n F e r e n C e & T r A d e s h ow
Basse-Terre
Caressed by the trade winds, tempered by the everpresent sun all year ’round, lashed by the Atlantic Ocean and lapped by the Caribbean Sea, the Guadeloupian archipelago is definitely blessed by the gods. It offers a treat for the eyes as they encounter the incredible shades of blue of the Caribbean Sea, then a treat for the other senses with a range of water sports so expansive that you won’t even be able to get through them all during your vacation. Stretching out on the sand with your toes dipped in the water; riding the sea on a jet ski; diving in search of coral and sponges; seeing the wind swell your sails under an unblemished sky; discovering the nature reserve of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin; taking a catamaran trip in search of white-sand banks. You can do anything in the water, and it feels so good! Relaxation, stimulation, freedom, feeling good…
Basse-Terre is a mountainous massif, covered by a magnificent tropical forest of almost 66 square miles (17,000 ha), which has been a designated national park since 1989. It has lots of well-marked hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Its lush vegetation (over 3,000 species of trees) provides shelter for an exotic wildlife, free from poisonous animals. With its waterfalls, cascades, basins, parks and plantations, it reveals all of its natural charm. Beaches of pebble and sand in shades of ocher, brown, black and pink line its coast, and it has the underwater Jacques Cousteau Reserve, with a submerged bust of the world-renowned diver.
Dominated by the imposing silhouette of “the old lady” (La Soufrière volcano), Basse-Terre is one of the wings forming the “Butterfly” of Guadeloupe.
Basse-Terre provides ample evidence of the cultural diversity of the island: Catholic Church and Hindu temple, archaeological remains of the first inhabitants and the 17th-century military fort. The town of the same name, the administrative center of the department is a real history book.
Grande-Terre
Grande-Terre, which is also known as the Little Brittany of the Antilles, forms one wing of the “butterfly” of the Guadeloupian archipelago. Unlike its twin, Basse-Terre, it is flat and formed from limestone. Grande-Terre is a limestone plateau perfectly suited to growing sugarcane, which covers most of the island. You will realize the importance of this agricultural activity if you visit the Gardel sugar factory or the
A land of different influences—African, European, Indian and American—Guadeloupe is the guardian of a multiple identity, the bearer of a society that is constantly being transformed by new influences. So there are several Guadeloupes to discover, depending on which little window you peek through.
A Land of Flavors
On the Guadeloupe islands, the magic of the cultural melting pot and huge variety of spices has let a culinary genie out of the lamp, casting spells over the great Creole restaurants, like the “roulottes de bokits.” Proof, if it’s needed, of the incredible fusion of cultures—Caribbean, European, Indian and African, enriched by the influences of the Middle East—is found in this gastronomy. Gourmets and gourmands alike will be overwhelmed by Guadeloupe’s fertile land and gastronomic expertise: relishing the delicious smell of a curry, tasting the sweet flesh of Julie mangoes, drinking a freshly-squeezed juice made from péyi cherries, or savoring the aromas of a vintage rum.
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PHOTOS COU RT E S Y Of T H E GUA DE LOU PE ISL A n DS TOU R IST B OA R D A n D O Cé A n D ’ I M AGE S
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The Islands of Guadeloupe—Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, La Desirade, Les Saintes (Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas) and Marie-Galante—welcome you to the Caribbean!
Plage de Pointe-Noire, Basse-Terre
8/30/13 1:13 PM