CASTLE TOPS

From Saint-François, from the marina, leave the N4 and continue on the D118 (the direction is well indicated). The road follows a coastline with wild vegetation, offering very attractive landscapes of mangrove and marigot. On your left, the artisanal village composed of charming stores offering quality handicrafts, small restaurants inland that spread the scent of lobster and seafood. Others are located on the sea side and offer panoramic views of the rocky coast. The surrounding beaches are probably among the most beautiful on the island.

The landscape, at the eastern end of the island, becomes wilder as you go along, with low vegetation. This almost deserted marigot has few dwellings and gives the impression of the end of the earth, dear to the Bretons, although the comparison stops there. A wild kingdom, with rocky sides beaten by the waves. This point cannot be tamed and offers you much more than a singular spectacle: a cure of nature in its raw state. Some say that the devil has taken up residence in these rollers, and swimming is forbidden here because it is very dangerous. A path, nearby, will lead you to the cross where a poem by Saint-John Perse found an eternal refuge. Admire the sea view and the island of Désirade, which you can see on a clear day. This superb walk can be done quietly in one hour round trip by car but you must take the time to go up to the cross and admire the panorama.

Archaeological excavations undertaken on the sites of Anse à la Gourde and Pointe des Pies have revealed the presence of Amerindians, on this land exposed to the trade winds, from 300 to 1400 AD.

The religious community of the Capuchins, which settled there in 1683, gave it the name of the parish of Châteaux.

An astonishing limestone point that juts out into the sea. You will have to walk a little, and go up the small path to the calvary to embrace the sumptuous panoramic view. Rocks and peaks beaten by the waves that the wind raises - the spectacle of nature in its raw state! As at the Porte d'Enfer, to the north, it is said that the devil lives in these raging rollers, and swimming on the beach of the Anse is forbidden.

Don't leave without having tasted the famous coconut sorbet (other flavors are available) prepared according to the local tradition in front of you thanks to a traditional West Indian ice cream maker.