Stay : Two weeks in the butterfly archipelago
Two weeks in Guadeloupe is the ideal time to settle down, visit the archipelago calmly, take the back roads, make unscheduled stops and take the time to meet the locals. Here's a tour in two distinct parts, on the two wings of the Guadeloupe butterfly, which avoids unnecessary mileage and takes on its full coherence on the roads.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
15 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Two weeks in the butterfly archipelago - 15 days
Day 1: Arrival in Grande-Terre
To limit fatigue, and especially if your flight arrives late in the evening, choose accommodation in Grande-Terre, as the southern sector, an economic and tourist zone, is prone to traffic jams at rush hour. Settle in calmly and allow yourself some quiet time to acclimatize to the warm latitudes of the West Indies.
Day 2: Acclimatization day
The next morning, you wake up at the crack of dawn. By 6 a.m., the sun is already shining brightly against a blue sky. In the West Indies, we get up early and go to bed early too; the sun disappears around 6pm from October to March and 7pm from April to September. That way, you can make the most of the cooler mornings! Start the day by getting your bearings (nearest beach, shops...) and taking a dip in the pool or sea. In the afternoon, you can relax and plan your itinerary.
Day 3: Grande-Terre, from north to south
Steps: Anse-Bertrand, Le Moule, Saint-François, Sainte-Anne
Head for the south of Grande-Terre, with Pointe des Châteaux in Saint-François. Your first stop is Sainte-Anne, famous for its fine sandy beaches lined with coconut palms, where you'll find a myriad of restaurants and a market every morning. You'll then arrive in Saint-François. Head for Pointe des Châteaux: this strip of land is well worth a visit for its scenery and splendid little coves. Climb up to the monumental cross for a panoramic view of the surrounding islands! Here, too, you'll find a plethora of restaurants if you wish to have lunch on site. Return to the center of Saint-François and head for Le Moule. On your right, after the traffic circle featuring the Martin Luther King statue, you'll see the Zévallos house, built by Gustave Eiffel and open to visitors by reservation only. You can also stop off at the Damoiseau distillery, the only distillery on Grande-Terre. Finally, head north to Anse-Bertrand. This commune is home to the Pointe de la Grande-Vigie and the Porte d'Enfer, gigantic natural sites whose famous cliffs stand imposing, even frightening, hence their name. In all weathers, the waves crash against the rock with a deafening noise. Return by the same route or via the Grands Fonds road, now well signposted.
POINTE DES CHÂTEAUX / DISTILLERIE DAMOISEAU / MAISON ZÉVALLOS / LA PORTE D'ENFER / POINTE DE LA GRANDE-VIGIE
Day 4: Discover the mangrove
Steps: Morne A L' Eau, Petit-Canal, Bouillante
It would be a shame to spend a holiday in Guadeloupe without taking an interest in the unique mangrove ecosystem. This walk can be taken from the port of Vieux-Bourg in Morne-à-l'Eau or from Petit-Canal. Whatever your means of transport (fishing boat, electric boat, ATV, kayak), the outing is as rewarding as it is relaxing. As an alternative to a visit to the mangroves, a dive in northern Grande-Terre is another idea. The diving spots boast an impressive variety of landscapes. The underwater architecture is totally different from that of the Bouillante reserve, with caves, arches, drop-offs, passes, coral gardens, airplane wrecks...
Day 5: Farniente in southern Grande-Terre
Steps: Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne
A lazy day on one of the many beaches of southern Grande-Terre, or a more sporty one if you prefer. Water sports (water scooters, paddleboards, towed buoys, flyboards...) are available at will on the beaches of Pointe de la Verdure in Gosier, Sainte-Anne or Saint-François. For thrill-seekers, a flight over the archipelago in a plane, microlight or helicopter, or even a free-fall jump, are other ways to discover the archipelago.
Day 6: Pointe-à-Pitre
Steps: Pointe-À-Pitre
A day that combines heritage discovery and shopping with a visit of Pointe-à-Pitre (its market, its shopping streets, its museums...). Ask at the tourist office if you wish to take part in a guided tour of the city, which requires prior registration. The heritage department organizes fascinating guided tours on various themes (20th century architecture, squares, quaysides, cemetery, traditional houses...). It is also possible to visit the city on board a tuk-tuk for a guided tour.
Day 7: Mini-tour of the islands
Steps: Terre-De-Bas, Terre-De-Haut
Discover one of the archipelago's dependencies. While Désirade can be visited in a day, we recommend spending at least two days in Marie-Galante, as well as in Les Saintes. Les Saintes is made up of several islets, only two of which are inhabited: Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas. Each of these islands has a very different atmosphere. Terre-de-Haut is the destination of the vast majority of tourists, and can be visited by bike, scooter, electric car or on foot. Terre-de-Bas, more serene, is recommended for beautiful hiking and for its authenticity. Marie-Galante, like Désirade, has retained its rural character.
Day 8: Mini island hopping - day 2
Second day on the island of your choice before returning to mainland Guadeloupe.
Day 9: Arrival in Basse-Terre and preparation of hikes
Steps: Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Trois-Rivieres
Once you've arrived in Basse-Terre, it's a good idea to plan accommodation around Capesterre-Belle-Eau or Trois-Rivières, which are close to the sites you'll be visiting, as the pace of the day will intensify. Make sure you are well-prepared for the hikes ahead, with all the necessary equipment (rain gear, walking shoes, hat or cap, water, dried fruit, charged telephone, etc.). As the island's climate is very changeable, check with the Guadeloupe National Park staff for information on the state of the tracks and the weather to come. Inform your accommodation provider of your destination. Heavy rains can quickly render tracks impassable, or turn a small river into a violent torrent, so remain vigilant and cautious. There are structures and guides to help you visit these sites in complete safety. Don't hesitate to call on their services.
Day 10: Hiking: Carbet Falls
Steps: Capesterre-Belle-Eau
Hikes to the Carbet Falls and the Grand-Carbet River, which rises on the eastern flank of La Soufrière. Its sulphurous waters brighten up after the three falls and flow into the Atlantic Ocean 11 km below. In keeping with the aquatic power of these falls, the vegetation, regularly watered by tropical rains, is particularly luxuriant. Several itineraries of varying difficulty are possible in the area of the falls.
CHUTES DU CARBET
Day 11: City of Basse-Terre
Steps: Basse Terre
Visit the city of Basse-Terre with the Maison de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine. Discover the city's urban planning and history, military and administrative architecture with the buildings of architect Ali Tur, religious buildings, the Cours Nolivos and18th-century urban planning, the typology of the traditional Creole house, public and private cemeteries... Reservations essential. Continue your tour to the Bologne distillery, located at the foot of the volcano. Founded around 1665, it was one of the largest distilleries in Basse-Terre in the 19th century. Then stop off at the Fort Louis Delgrès museum.
Day 12: Hiking: La Soufrière
Steps: Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Saint-Claude
At La Soufrière, we take the same precautions as for the Carbet Falls. The view from the summit is extraordinary. In a single glance, you can see all the Lesser Antilles. You can see Marie-Galante, Les Saintes and La Désirade. With binoculars, you can often make out Dominica and even Martinique.
Day 13: Boiling
Steps: Route De La Traversée, Bouillante
Head for Bouillante via the Route de la Traversée. This transverse departmental road in Basse-Terre (D23) serves some of the most beautiful sites in Guadeloupe's National Park, and promises many hikes. The winding, narrow road winds its way through exuberant vegetation. Easy-to-access hiking trails are managed by the Office des Forêts. Stop off at the cascade aux Écrevisses, the Guadeloupe zoo, the Maison de la forêt... Next, Bouillante, the diving capital, welcomes you to its hot springs and breathtaking diving sites. These sites can be reached by scuba, kayak or glass-bottom boat. The discovery of cetaceans is a fascinating alternative that must be booked in advance.
ZOO DE GUADELOUPE AU PARC DES MAMELLES / MAISON DE LA FORÊT / CASCADE AUX ÉCREVISSES
Day 14: North Basse-Terre
Steps: Saint-François, Deshaies, Sainte-Rose
Last stop on this tour: Nord Basse-Terre via Sainte-Rose and Deshaies. Ideally, you should book accommodation in this area to avoid long journeys. The coastal road and beaches are superb. Stop off at theÉcomusée Créole Art in Sofaïa to visit the conservatory of medicinal plants and the arboretum, and at the Musée du Rhum. On the Deshaies side, don't miss the Jardin Botanique, an exceptional site housing plants and animals in a 7-hectare estate that once belonged to Coluche. And don't forget to take a whale-watching tour departing from Deshaies.
JARDIN BOTANIQUE DE DESHAIES / ECOMUSÉE CRÉOLE ART / MUSÉE DES BEAUX ARTS DE GUADELOUPE
Day 15: Return to Pointe-à-Pitre
For this last day, enjoy a last swim, make your last purchases and plan enough time to reach the airport without being late, because the road to get there is often congested, especially during rush hour in school period.
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