If the Guadeloupe archipelago has always been praised for its extraordinary natural and cultural resources, it is now turning towards creativity and dynamism with large-scale projects that represent a new attraction and additional assets for the destination. Beyond its splendid white, brown or black sandy beaches, its translucent waters that host corals and breathtaking underwater flora, Guadeloupe surprises by the diversity of its tourist offer.

An archipelago of possibilities

First of all, the Guadeloupe National Park is a must visit with more than 21,000 hectares rich in a diversity of plant and animal species, some of which are endemic. It is a privileged playground for nature lovers. On the programme, hikes, the most famous of which take you to the Soufrière volcano or the Carbet falls, but also bivouacs, canyoning, invigorating swimming in the fresh waters of the waterfalls or, on the contrary, relaxing in the hot springs..

But as its name suggests, the Guadeloupe archipelago is made up of several islands. Each of them is approached differently. The famous "butterfly" owes its name to the shape of the two main islands that make up mainland Guadeloupe: the Grande-Terre, which hosts the international airport, and the Basse-Terre, with its lush vegetation, which are separated by a sea inlet.

The archipelago of the Saintes is full of contrasts. Of the nine islets, only two are inhabited. Terre-de-Haut has magnificent beaches and is one of the "most beautiful bays in the world" clubs. Terre-de-Bas is a delight for hikers and ornithologists thanks to its unspoilt nature.

Marie-Galante, on the other hand, surprises with its authenticity and delights with its white sandy beaches and its many remnants of history, including mills, which earn her the nickname of the island of a hundred mills. In the northeast of Grande-Terre, La Désirade is a jewel that combines the joys of the seaside and hiking with a unique welcome from its warm inhabitants.

The islet of Petite-Terre can only be visited during the day during a boat trip. Its only inhabitants are the guards of the National Forestry Office (ONF) who jealously guard this natural reserve where iguanas, crabs and seabirds live together

The breath of a new wind

Among the new features of the destination Guadeloupe, and beyond an offer of accommodation of all sizes and categories or a largely renewed hotel park, it is important to distinguish two major projects that have brought a real wind of innovation to the archipelago's tourist attractions.

The thermal spa of Hot Ravine, unique in the Caribbean, which opened its doors in 2016, is located at an altitude of 110 metres, in the heart of the tropical forest. This new balneotherapy centre has thermo-mineral waters at a constant temperature of 33°C, whose virtues are recognised in the treatment of various pathologies (fatigue, rheumatism, sciatica, etc.)

The ACT Memorial, a universal ambition

This new Caribbean Centre for the Expression and Memory of the Slave Trade and Slavery was inaugurated on 10 May 2015, the national day of remembrance of the slave trade, slavery and their abolition, by the then President of the Republic, François Hollande. Many Heads of State and Government from the Caribbean and Africa had made the trip. The choice of the location of the ACTe Memorial is symbolic because it is directly linked to the slave trade. It is built on the site of the wasteland of the Darboussier factory, which was the largest sugar factory in the Lesser Antilles, on the coast of the city of Pointe-à-Pitre, in the heart of Guadeloupe.

The Guadeloupe Region, which initiated the project under the original impetus of the International Committee of Black Peoples (ICPN), wanted to help close the wounds that have marked the construction of Guadeloupe, the Caribbean and the American continent. The design of this historic and monumental project was entrusted to a Guadeloupian architecture workshop after a selection by an international jury from 27 applications. More than 300 workers and technicians participated in this collective work of public interest during the two years of complex work.

86 million euros have been invested in the construction of the ACTe Memorial, in line with the development logic of the city of Pointe-à-Pitre, which includes urban development and the rehabilitation of the Darboussier district. A district which, endowed with this major asset, is destined to gradually transform itself into an area of not only cultural but also economic and tourist activities, with in particular its port of reception for cruise ships. A specially designed pontoon allows cruise passengers and boaters to access the site directly. The Guadeloupe Region targets 300,000 visitors per year and plans many events around the MACT.

"Silver roots on a black box"

Silver roots on a black box: this is the architectural style of the ACTe Memorial. The architects took inspiration from the cursed fig tree, a tree of the ficus family with aerial and gigantic roots, to suggest momentum, movement and growth. Wrapped in these silvery roots that give the building a modern and refined silhouette, the black box embodies the genesis of this root development. It represents the foundation on which knowledge of the past is built on which collective memory is built. On its black granite façade, the inlaid golden quartz fragments symbolize the thousands of victims of the slave trade and slavery

The structure is impressive in the Caribbean with its 230 metres long and 60 metres high. Of the 7,800 m² of buildings, a third is dedicated to exhibitions. The central patio welcomes visitors where a monumental steel tree called "tree of life" stands. The central building houses the permanent exhibition room of 1,700 m². The history of the slave trade and slavery is retraced through images, testimonies, archival documents, works of art and objects of daily life from that period. The visit is structured around 37 thematic islands equipped with the latest technologies that invite you to travel back in time through the discovery of America, triangular trade, the Black Code.... A long-term project carried out thanks to the involvement of historians, scenographers and artists over the last 3 years that have made up the Guadeloupe Region's collection. As for the 700 m² temporary exhibition room, it houses the works of contemporary artists in all their forms. Then, a 275-metre long footbridge leads to the "Morne Mémoire", a panoramic garden that once housed the Master's house and which now constitutes a relaxation area for visitors. Two restaurants, a shop and a bookshop are also at your disposal. In short, this new place is intended to be a centre of expression, a space for discovery, celebration and reconciliation

Smart info

When? When? The destination enjoys a tropical climate and only has two seasons. The "European" winter is the most pleasant season with temperatures around 27°C. The thermometer exceeds 35°C in summer. The high tourist season extends from mid-December to the end of April

Getting there. Allow eight hours of flight time

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Useful. To prepare your trip as well as possible.

GUADELOUPE ISLAND TOURISM COMMITTEE - More information on the website

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