As soon as you get off the plane, it's happiness, a moist heat that surrounds you, magic, when you arrive in autumn, for example. The islands of Guadeloupe are located in the Caribbean archipelago, southeast of Florida.
To the east, exposed to the winds, is Grande-Terre and to the west Basse-Terre topped by the Soufrière volcano. They are connected by a narrow isthmus crossed by the salt sea canal. Together they take the form of a butterfly. Although close, they are not at all alike. While Basse-Terre is covered with mountains and dense and wild tropical forests, Grande-Terre is made up of a plateau, ideal for farms, especially sugar cane and rum distilleries.

In total, Guadeloupe has 5 islands: Marie-Galante, Désirade and Les Saintes must be added. All enjoy an exceptional climate, tropical, but tempered by the trade winds. During the dry season from December to May, there may be showers, but the climate is dry and temperate. This is the best time for a stay in Guadeloupe.

On the other hand, rains are more frequent during the wet season, between July and October, when there is also a risk of cyclones. The islands of Guadeloupe are a true paradise on earth: 17300 hectares have been classified as a national park in Basse-Terre. This park includes 300 tree species, 100 orchid types and 270 ferns. To admire all these varieties, take a detour to the Mamelles zoological and botanical park and the Deshaies botanical garden with its arboretum, water lilies, cacti and bougainvillea.

Another unique heritage: the islands retain the imprint of the Arawak Indians in the form of engraved rocks (petroglyphs), visible at the Parc des Roches Gravées in Trois-Rivières. Thanks to its volcano, Basse-Terre is full of hot sulphur springs, waterfalls and waterfalls. The best known are the Grand Carbet Falls with two jumps over 100 meters. But they are not the only ones, there are many others much less touristic, like the hole of the devil in Bouillante, the jump from Acomat to Pointe Noire, the Moreau Falls in Goyave or the Vauchelet in Saint Claude. Another natural curiosity: in the natural reserve of Grand-Cul-de-Sac-Marin is the mangrove of Guadeloupe, an amazing environment where land, sea and roots merge.

For the amateurs of old stones, a visit to the village of Basse-Terre is essential. A town of art and history, you can see Fort Delgrès (also called Fort Saint Charles) which offers visitors 5 hectares surrounded by walls with an exceptional view of the ocean and Basse-Terre. Built in the 17th century and subsequently enlarged, it is a historic place where the officers who tried to resist the restoration of slavery decided by Napoleon took refuge.

The old town of Moule is also rich in history. One finds there the colonial house of Zevallos built by Eiffel, mills intended to crush sugar cane or the museum Edgar Leclerc, devoted to the Amerindians. It is absolutely necessary to go by boat to Les Saintes to admire the bay, one of the most beautiful in the world!

On the beach side, you are served, of course. Those of Basse-Terre, notably in Sainte Anne or Saint François are magnificent, with their white sand and their palm trees facing the emerald blue sea. But Grande-Terre is not to be outdone, with its beach of Grande-Anse with its golden sand from where you can admire splendid sunsets. There are also black sandy beaches.

Soak up the atmosphere of the islands by making a detour through the colourful markets and a stroll on the harbour in the early morning to see the fishermen return with their cargo. Religious festivals are another opportunity to see local folklore and traditions up close. Guadeloupeans are warm, welcoming people, always ready to party, to the sound of Caribbean music, around a punch, facing the clear sea. We come back with a lot of joy in our heads!

The roads are well maintained. It is therefore advisable to rent a car in Guadeloupe to go to the various tourist sites and discover the many facets of the islands, but be careful because local driving is dangerous. Public transport is developed and cheap. There is no risk of contracting tropical diseases. However, some mosquitoes carry dengue fever, so beware, use appropriate repellents and keep bites to a minimum by sleeping under a mosquito net.

Art and culture in Guadeloupe
To distract you and if your soul is not too sensitive, attend a cockfight. There's one every Sunday.