Things to see and do Caraïbes

The historical and architectural heart of Trinidad, the Plaza Mayor (the former Plaza Fernando VII, Plaza de la Constitución, then Plaza Serrano), constitutes one of the most homogeneous sets of the colonial period in Cuba. Elegant and distinguished with its pastel tones, it concentrates the most beautiful colonial mansions built between the 18th and 19th centuries by the great local families, some of which have been transformed into museums. Today, the house of the magistrate Ortíz houses the Guamu-haya Archaeological Museum (on the west side of the square, on Calle Martínez). The Museum of Trinitarian Architecture is housed in the Sánchez-Iznaga house (south of the square). The Romantic Museum is located in the heart of the Counts of Brunet's palace (northeast, corner of Bolívar and Echerri streets). In addition to the church and the beautiful buildings of undeniable character that surround it, its royal palms and cobbled streets complete the ensemble perfectly. It is truly one of the most beautiful squares in Trinidad, if not in Cuba, and when a beautiful sunset or full moon comes along, memories are guaranteed... On weekends and holidays, this is also where all the Trinitarios go. So come by on a Saturday afternoon, then in the evening, to observe the social life of the city: sellers of toys and other sweets, children running around, families celebrating a birthday, teenage love affairs in their infancy, old people taking the cool of the evening... The whole society is there!

Well integrated in the hollow of the shaded valleys, this large floral park was created in 1990 by a passionate person, Mrs. Magguy Chaulet. After the destruction of her plantation by hurricane Hugo in 1989, she decided to create the first floral park on the island and to present the most beautiful plants. This extraordinary garden is home to a profusion of plants that will delight nature lovers with more than 1,000 species of flowers and tropical plants from all over the world. A map is given to you at the reception desk to guide you on your way. The visit can also be made with the little 100% electric train, the Valombreuse Express (free), which leaves from the garden entrance. Count on at least 1h30 of visit, under high trees from which spring tropical plants with bright colors between the balisiers, the pink, red and white alpinias, the heliconias, the anthuriums, the white porcelain roses... You will discover plants with astonishing names ("character of the men"... and of the women whose color of the flower changes during the day, Chinese hats...). You will observe the hummingbirds that come to drink the nectar of the flowers. The garden of Valombreuse, it is also an extraordinary fauna and in particular of the species of birds, such as the flamingos of the Caribbean and the red Ibis! A play area is dedicated to children in the heart of the garden. The store is located at the end of the visit. The restaurant located on the site is accessible without entering the garden.

A guided tour of Saint-Pierre not to be missed! Join Fernand Pain, who knows the history of his town and island inside out, as he takes you through a century of Saint-Pierre, the "Little Paris of the West Indies" destroyed in the space of a single night on May 8, 1902, and loses you in the remains of one of mankind's most famous disasters... After taking visitors on board his little train, Fernand has chosen to take them on foot, as close as possible to the last vestiges. The ticket office and tour departure point are in rue Bouille.

Long before being transformed into a museum, these two imposing palaces were the seat of the main royal institutions. They housed the General Captaincy (the first Court of Justice in the New World with authority over all the courts of America) as well as the Royal Treasury and the Royal Audience, which was created in 1513 before being transferred to Cuba on 12 December 1799, after the signing of the Treaty of Basle that ceded the western part of the island to France. The construction of the complex was completed in 1520, and on the southern façade facing Mercedes Street was the only known coat of arms of Queen Joanna of Castile, mother of Charles V. The coat of arms is now on display in the museum. The complex was restored in 1967. The entrance is through the main façade of the building. It is decorated with the coats of arms of Emperor Charles I of Spain, those of the island of Hispaniola and that of the city of Santo Domingo, granted by royal privilege on 7 December 1508.

The museum exhibits treasures found in Dominican waters and traces the history from the beginning of the Conquest to 1821, the date of the first independence. All the Spanish period of the island is shown in the form of objects, maps, weapons... An interesting curiosity is the magnificent apothecary's cabinet, where the ceramic pots for the different medicinal herbs are displayed in a rigorous alignment. Temporary exhibitions are held here regularly. The whole place is well worth a visit.

Located 5 km west of the four hotels that follow each other along the northern beaches of the cayo. A bar dominates the entrance to this large deserted beach of fine sand. But once past the bar, it's guaranteed tranquility! This magnificent beach with crystalline waters has the advantage of being protected from the wind but is especially far from any construction, once past the bar. A real lost paradise. A favorite ! After the passage of Irma, the authorities have added sand on the beach to give it back its former splendor and it's a success!

The former presidential palace is now the Museum of the Revolution. Designed by two architects, the Cuban Rodolfo Maruri and the Belgian Paul Belau, it was built between 1912 and 1919. From 1917 onwards, it was used as a residence for presidents. Between its inauguration in 1920 and the revolution in 1959, twenty-one presidents passed through it. This four-story building is built entirely of white stone. The sober elegance of the exterior contrasts with the luxury of the interior, where marble, columns and salons abound, including the Salón de los Espejos, a replica of the famous Versailles gallery, and the Salón Dorado, all in yellow marble.

On March 13, 1957, a group of young revolutionaries attacked the presidential palace with the aim of assassinating President Fulgencio Batista, who had taken power five years earlier in a coup. The operation failed. Batista managed to escape through a secret door in his office. Most of the attackers were killed, while the president of the Student Federation, José Antonio Echeverría, who had successfully participated in the seizure of Radio Reloj to spread the news, was killed by the police as he tried to reach the university. To honor these young revolutionaries, the park in front of the palace was named Parque Trece de Marzo. Fidel Castro, in January 1959, gave his first big speech in Havana on the terrace of the north wing of the palace. He never lived there, probably wanting to distinguish himself from all the presidents who preceded him. But it was the close relationship of this place with recent history that designated it, in 1974, for its new function, that of the Museum of the Revolution.

With documents, photos, objects, maps, models, etc., the Museum of the Revolution offers, on three levels, a complete and chronological vision of the history of the Cubans' struggle for independence. Don't miss it under any circumstances and plan at least 1 hour and a half because of its richness. You will go from the aboriginal rebellions against the conquistadores to the independence wars of the 19th century against the slavery of the Spanish colonial power. The twentieth century is not to be outdone with the highlighting of social and political demands, naturally. Linger on the fascinating history of the labor movement in the 1920s and 1930s and the emergence of the revolutionary process. Don't miss the sections devoted to guerrilla warfare, including the two life-size sculptures of Camilo Cienfuegos and Che Guevara in the Sierra Maestra. The last part of the museum is dedicated to the consolidation of the gains of the 1959 revolution.

You can also visit the presidential office where the different Cuban presidents succeeded each other until Batista.

Then go outside the museum to visit the Granma memorial, where the eponymous yacht on which Fidel Castro and 81 fighters left Mexico to wage the last revolutionary war is on display. The overloaded boat sailed painfully for a week before running aground in Las Coloradas on December 2, 1956. Spotted by Batista's troops, many of them were killed immediately. However, Fidel Castro and some of them managed to reach the Sierra Maestra mountains, home of the insurrectional struggle that ended in victory on January¹, 1959.

This wonderful beach the eyes of everyone and his memory never fades. At the bottom of the cove of Labadie, there are few tourists who think of venturing to its beach. It must be said that from the sea it is impossible to guess that paradise is so close. At the bottom of a beautiful hill with virgin vegetation, descends a source of fresh water that flows into the ocean. The white sandy beach is often deserted. Fresh water has allowed the corals to remain intact for the greatest pleasure of the eyes that do not need mask to admire the beauty of creation. Three colours clearly draw, the first deep water is pure purple is the kingdom of corals, the second violet blue is the domain of underwater herbs, the third is this color which makes boats fly in the transparency of a water that seems to have forgotten. Before venturing into the sea, the source offers a pool where it is good to bathe, the sensation of feeling at the top of its body cold and soft water, and downstairs hot and salty water, is quite remarkable.

The site of Jamaica's most famous rum factory was completely renovated and modernized in 2017. From the moment you enter the lobby, you're in for a treat: the spacious lobby is classy, with plush sofas and Appleton-stamped cushions. The tour that awaits you is well-trodden: everything starts with a glass of punch offered, followed by a short film, a souvenir photo under the gigantic Appleton sign and the visit can begin! We will explain the different stages of the making of the famous rum: from the sugar cane to the voluptuous alcohol. The tour is punctuated by shady stops according to the explanations with tasting of sugar cane, sugar cane juice... Then, passage in the room of distillation (only place where the photos are forbidden), in the place of storage of tanks... And the long awaited moment, the rum tasting! In a sober and chic room, three glasses of rums of different ages are pre-filled and waiting for you with an explanatory card for each of them. There is a bottle of water to rinse your mouth between each tasting. In short, they have thought of everything! There is enough to make you feel like an expert! A small vial of rum is offered to you at the end of the visit and of course, this one ends with an obligatory passage, that of the big and magnificent store to leave with your beverage! The visits are only in English, too bad for those who are not fluent.

A postcard beach, protected by the National Marine Park, whose history dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alexander McCatty donated his seaside property to the city of Montego Bay. The cave that owes its name to him was destroyed by a cyclone in 1932. It is so enclosed between the hotels that you can't see it before entering! In addition to the white sand, the turquoise sea lined with palm trees, there are bars and restaurants, toilets, deckchairs, umbrellas, etc.

The famous Jamaican rafting trip - actually a bamboo raft ride - is a classic of Jamaican culture that we recommend you do here if you are in Montego Bay. A magical cruise on the Great River awaits you. Sometimes smooth like a lake, sometimes bubbling, it is a fascinating translucent emerald green color. The environment is magnificent and the jungle is discovered in all its beauty. The descent of the Great River is managed here by Chukka Mountain Valley Rafting, but independent captains propose better prices as soon as you arrive on the spot (we can negotiate but know that the work is hard). We are enchanted by the decoration of the rafts, very long and stretched on nearly 9 meters, equipped with a super comfortable double bench and decorated with palms and fresh flowers. During the descent, we are accompanied by the singing birds, the gurgling of the river, and the reggae - always - pulsated by his raft and other rafts crossed on the road (which sell beers, rum...). The local guides are super relaxed and good vibes and are inexhaustible about their forest. The atmosphere is very authentic, especially on weekends, when groups of friends come to bask in this river that forms natural bubbling baths. The must - included in the price - is the "limo on the river", a relaxing foot and leg massage with "limestone", a clay-like limestone.

This dead-end street in a working-class neighborhood is entirely dedicated to Afro-Cuban culture (murals, including one by artist Salvador Escalona, and sculptures inspired by santería and Palo Monte). It is a space where you can enjoy all the variations of the rumba. Every Sunday from noon, it is rumba en el cayo, as much as to say the traditional rumba, the real one of true! It starts calmly, with professional groups, then, it heats up quickly as the bottles of rum are emptied. The rumberos of all Cayo Hueso (that's how we call this part of Havana) come here to confront their dancing talents. Very popular and authentic, even if the information is far from being confidential today and many tourists come to attend the show. The nave del olvido (bathtub nave) rules the place and evokes the spirit of the creation of the Callejón. A central dome protects the musicians from the sun. In front of it, there is a room full of objects related to the santería and other Afro-Cuban cults, which is hosted by a fortune teller!

By the way, if you are interested in Santería and Afro-Cuban spirituality, you will find in Elias an exceptional interlocutor. The young man, colorful and joking, is a fine connoisseur of the subject. He will be happy to take you to the nooks and crannies of the place, from the art gallery to the altars, and will explain to you (in Spanish) what it is all about. We like it.

Entirely reserved for pedestrians, this pretty square built in the 18th century - Plaza del Carmen means the Square of Charm in French - is surrounded by pastel-colored colonial houses and pretty little restaurants. Note the elegant lamp posts, the famous tinajónes (huge earthenware jars), but especially the statues of Martha Jimenez, an artist recognized by UNESCO for her ceramic works, which embellish the whole. Her bronze statues represent historical characters of the city (the water seller in tinajones, the couple of lovers, the newspaper reader who is the only living character represented) or imaginary figures such as "the celestial gossips" who are sitting seemingly in the middle of a gossip session... If you sit on the free chair and ask them to grant a wish, your wish will come true. This superstition, created by Martha Jiménez Pérez, is a way to make passers-by participate in this work of art. Afterwards, you can believe it, or not.

Nearby, visit the beautiful Baroque church of Carmen with two bell towers (19th century), the only one in the region. Completely restored in 2002, it adjoins the Ursuline convent, dating from 1829, whose patio with beautiful arcades invites meditation. After the departure of the sisters to Havana, the convent sheltered hurricane victims and a school for the poor. The premises now house the offices of the city's official historian.

Opened in 2002, this attraction welcomes hundreds of visitors every day to swim with the dolphins. Seven dolphins imported from Mexico with their Spanish-speaking trainers occupy a two-hectare pool. They swim in a natural bay closed by a stone wall. The animals swallow tens of kilos of fish per day to be admired, caressed and thrown in the air. They never go out, and on the contrary, are occasionally visited by free companions attracted by their presence. As far as approaching the dolphins is concerned, visitors can choose between three formulas: touching a pontoon/touchencounter, the least expensive or the one for bad swimmers, touching the bath/encounterswim, accompanied by a dance and game demonstration, and finally the total, the real bath with dolphins/swimwith dolphins, for 45 minutes. The highlight of the show: the "foot push" or how to be propelled in the water, then in the air, by two dolphins that push you by the feet. You will certainly be happy to leave with your pictures, kissing or swimming with the dolphins. Recently, you can also swim with the sharks. Apart from this central attraction, Anse des Dauphins is a human-sized place and has a mini-zoo showing some of the island's animal species including iguanas, snakes, turtles, parrots... and pirates! On site: restaurants, bars, a swimming pool and some souvenir stores.

At the end of Cayo Guillermo, there is a superb beach with ultra fine sand and crystal clear waters. The setting is wild and sublime. It is certainly the most beautiful beach of Cuba, and the favorite of Hemingway, great connoisseur of Cuba. Being very exposed to gusts of wind, we do not recommend visiting the beach on days of high winds. Head for Playa Flamenco, on Cayo Coco: sheltered from the wind, it is the ideal beach to spend the day in these cases and it is almost as beautiful as Playa Pilar! A certain idea of paradise.

From mid-January to mid-March, join whale expert Kim Beddall on board the Pura Mia, a two-deck boat that can accommodate up to 65 passengers. For 4 hours, the boat cruises the bay in search of marine mammals. Kim has been commenting on the encounters in several languages for over 30 years with the help of translators. There is also a full day formula with a stop at Cayo Levantado. Kim wishes to demonstrate that responsible whale watching is a viable economic alternative to whaling.

This huge open-air cave, which is reached by a 350-step stone stairway, is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and bats. There are also three ponds (hence the name), the first, El Ojo de Azufre, filled with sulphurous water, the second, El Ojo de las Damas, with salt water, and the third, El Ojo de la Cañuela, with fresh water. The works of development of the site were carried out by order of Trujillo. A ferryman will take you to the last of the ponds by means of a makeshift ferry, for the modest sum of 25 pesos.

An exceptional garden, both botanical and animal park, on a 7-hectare estate! It's a beautiful and relaxing walk through the plants and essences of the tropics (bougainvillea, hibiscus, balisiers...). The park has many attractions: waterfall, water wall, torrent, pink flamingo pond, water lily pond, macaw village (parrots), aviary, goat pen for children (next to the playground and snack bar).

A cable car, inaugurated in 1975, makes it easy to climb this high hill - the Loma Isabel de Torres, a national park - which stands like a sentinel above Puerto Plata. Trujillo decided to build a fortress here because of its height (the hill rises to just under 900 metres above sea level) and the panoramic views it affords. By posting sentries here, the town was protected, or at least able to retaliate if attacked from the sea. In fact, although the summit (where you'll find a cafeteria) is often trapped in the clouds, today the mirador has become a tourist attraction in its own right: the panorama over the city and the entire bay is breathtaking! The statue of Christ the Redeemer, more modest than its counterpart on the Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sits enthroned above the dome of this fortress, watching over the city. The other attraction of Loma Isabel de Torres is its botanical garden. Engineer Benjamín Paewonsky is responsible for this complete creation, which dates back to 1973. You can follow paths lined with no fewer than 600 local plant species (594 trees and flowers to be exact), while discovering the reconstruction of a traditional Taino habitat. A recommended visit, and a great way to cool down when the heat in the heart of the city becomes stifling.

After walking along narrow paths through the rainforest, crossing several rivers (be sure to take a dip!), climbing many steep inclines, you will be rewarded by the discovery of a natural pool into which a 50 m high waterfall flows, surrounded by deep caves. The water is pure and fresh and the panorama sublime. A well-deserved swim, after the efforts of the climb, is divine. You can also rent horses in the ranches located along the road (it climbs!). To leave well shod.

Parque Colón invites you to rest in the shade of its trees. In its center, a bronze and granite statue, sculpted by the Frenchman E. Gilbert and erected in 1887, represents Christopher Columbus in a voluntary and conquering attitude, while the cacica Anacaona writes on its pedestal. Anacaona, reputed to be the most beautiful and talented woman on the island, succeeded her brother, the cacique Bohechio. She witnessed, powerless, the genocide of her tribe committed in 1503 on the orders of the monk Nicolás de Ovando, governor of the island. This episode in Dominican history is known as the "Fury of Jaragua". The park originally represented the center of the colonial city. Today, it is overrun with souvenir vendors, drink stands, shoe shine boys and guides on the lookout for tourists. The commercial and pedestrian artery El Condé begins at Parque Colón.

On the eastern side of the square is the Borgella Palace. On the north side is the Casa del Abogado. On the south side, the old prison of the city, called the "house of the medallions" because the busts of the fathers of the fatherland, in medallions, decorate its facade, served as the seat of the legislative power from 1844. Today it houses the Cathedral Museum. On its right flank stands the residence of the archbishop. The west side includes the Vivaque building, the former town hall of Santo Domingo, a 16th century building restored in 1904-1905 by the architect Osvaldo Báez. Today it is the headquarters of the Workers' Bank.

Built in the 16th century, the church was destroyed several times. The present structure dates from the beginning of the 19th century. The building houses a famous cross, the Santa Cruz de la Parra. It is said to be the only surviving cross of the 29 crosses that Christopher Columbus carried on his journey to the Americas. This cross is so popular that visitors had the annoying habit of taking a small piece of it... A metallic envelope protects it now.

In its centre stands the statue of Nicolás de Ovando, architect of the city and third governor after Columbus and Bobadilla. The work is by the Spanish sculptor Juan de Vaquero. The founder of Santo Domingo holds in his hands the compass he used for his work, as well as the governor's baton. From this place you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, especially of the Colón lighthouse. At night, in the discreet charm of its lighting, the square with the Alcazar Colon and all the bars and restaurants takes on a magical dimension.

It is THE visit not to be missed in Santiago de Cuba! After long restoration works, the cathedral reopened during 2015 for the 500 years of the city and the result is superb! Dominating the square, the seat of the archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba was rebuilt four times on the foundations of the first cathedral (completed in 1528, then destroyed). The current church dates from the 19th century. The facade and aisles were decorated in 1922 in an eclectic style. Note the five naves and the large number of secondary altars. Several bishops and Diego Velázquez are buried here.

Don't miss the chance to climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a sublime panoramic view of Santiago de Cuba. To reach the top, you have to climb a total of 93 steps, and, to tell the truth, the last ones are quite sporty with a very steep wooden staircase. Avoid tap shoes if you can and wear sneakers instead... In any case, you should know that your efforts will be rewarded because the view you will have is well worth it.

Important: to visit the church, you should cover your shoulders and wear pants or a skirt that covers at least your knees. If you are not sufficiently dressed, you will not be allowed to enter for indecent exposure.

Mass.If you wish to attend a mass in the cathedral, here are the times: Tuesday to Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 9 am and 6:30 pm.

This immense grey concrete edifice is the capital's most recent and probably least attractive monument. However, its illumination and blessing by the Pope was the highlight of the 1992 celebration of the ^500th anniversary of the "discovery" of the New World. The building stands on a hill in the center of the Mirador del Este park, in the eastern part of the city, on the very spot where it was originally founded in 1496.

The project to build a monument to honor the memory of the great admiral dates back to 1852. Dominican historian Antonio del Monte y Tejeda launched the idea of erecting a colossal edifice on the site of America's first city, La Isabela. The collaboration and financial participation of all the countries of the American continent, as well as that of the European capitals, were obviously required. The initial project envisaged a statue the size of the Colossus of Rhodes, embracing the two American continents between its two arms. In November 1927, the Pan-American Union (now OAS: Organization of American States) decided to launch an international competition for the construction of the lighthouse. Nearly 450 projects were submitted by 1,926 architects of 44 nationalities. The ten best were selected in April 1929 and exhibited at the Palacio de las Artes in Madrid. On October 17, 1931, an international jury, meeting at the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro, chose the design by English architect J.-L. Gleave: a gigantic, elongated cross, placed on the ground, symbolizing evangelization and progress. At night, the lighthouse would offer a fairy-tale spectacle: two great blood-red rays forming Columbus's cross would be encircled by the white cross of progress. The cross would be reflected in the sky, as if suspended above the city.

The project was built in reinforced concrete, on the hill where the original city of Santo Domingo stood. Construction began on April 14, 1948, then was interrupted. It was not resumed until 1987. The inauguration finally took place on October 6, 1992. The monument officially cost 135 million pesos, but the Dominicans claim it cost much more.

The Faro a Colón is exactly what was planned: the imposing edifice (310 m long, 44 m wide and 33 m high) houses at its center the remains of Christopher Columbus, in the white marble mausoleum, now guarded by an incessant ballet of sailors.

A museum traces the history of the monument. Another evokes the period of the Conquest and colonization.

The Guadeloupe Zoo is located in the heart of the Basse-Terre massif on the Route de la Traversée. These 4 hectares of tropical forest are dedicated to the conservation of rare or endangered animal species. More than 85 endemic animal species from the West Indies and elsewhere, some 450 individuals, are housed here. You can observe local animals such as racoons, iguanas, bats and dynastes, as well as species from French Guiana's wild fauna (monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, caimans, alligator turtles, anacondas, pumas and toucans). There's always something new at the zoo! Yes, a group of Madagascar lemurs, a female jaguar and a duo of emperor tamarins have recently joined the Guadeloupe zoo family! To complete this discovery of the rich local biodiversity, the zoo offers its visitors a walk in the Canopy included in the price of the visit! This safe, tree-top walk over suspension bridges is as unique as it is unforgettable!

Every day at 12 noon and 3.30 p.m., there are activities to share the passion of our caretakers. These are truly privileged moments between visitor and groomer, as they help visitors understand the role of the Zoo de Guadeloupe and highlight the Zoo's actions to protect Guadeloupe's wildlife.

The walk is accessible to all, whatever the weather, and offers a real immersion into the heart of Guadeloupean nature.

Take a ride on the little train through the large estate, which has been located in the green countryside of Rivière-Pilote since 1749. The famous "Tèt' Maré" will first tell you a few anecdotes, traditions and other historical facts about the site. The guide then leads you into the heart of the distillery to discover the different stages in the production of AOC Martinique agricultural rums. The last stop, a tour of the cellar, allows you to appreciate the art of blending and ageing old rums. Finally, the Cabane à Rhum team accompanies you on a tasting of the different rums and liqueurs.

Your non-French-speaking friends from around the world can board the little train and follow the whole tour thanks to the app, available in English, Spanish, Italian and German (don't forget your headphones).

Enjoy a bite to eat at Kay Mimi, located at the foot of the distillery, before heading to the pretty beach of Anse Figuier, 10 minutes away.

This beautiful valley, classified by Unesco, boasts a unique landscape and exceptional colors. It is not necessary to go very far from the village to be totally disoriented. A few hundred meters are enough to find yourself in the middle of the fields with red earth, near the tobacco crops with the mogotes - karstic reliefs inherited from the Jurassic period - emerging on the horizon. On your way, on foot, by bike, or on horseback, the peasants(guajiros) you meet will often be delighted to share the fruits of their crops!

The trip through the Gri Gri lagoon takes about an hour. The boat glides slowly through a network of shallow channels in the middle of a dense mangrove forest. The scenery is magical and breathtakingly beautiful. We advise you to make this excursion early in the morning, as this is the time when the birds are present. After the visit to the Swallow Cave, you will swim in the clear waters of Caletón Beach. A pleasant outing alternating between physical effort, admiration and relaxation.

A few facts and figures. Altitude at summit: 1,467 m. Family: Pelean-type stratovolcano (explosive). Character: slowly increasing activity since 1992. Last eruption: 1976 (minor phreatic eruption). Last magmatic eruption: 1530 (formation of the dome). Observation network: nearly 200 measurement sites, including some sixty equipped with autonomous stations (with batteries and solar panels) telemetered by radio transmission to the Observatory.

Description of the hike. Hiking time: 4 hours, rated easy. Elevation gain: 500 m. Guadeloupe boasts over 300 km of hiking trails (called Traces in Guadeloupe), but the climb to La Soufrière is one of the must-do's: visiting an active volcano is something you can't do every day, so you might as well make the most of the opportunity.

The hike begins at the Pas du Roy, a section paved (in part) by the army in the late ^19th century, and takes 40 minutes to reach the Savane-à-Mulets. This fairly steep section leads to the old parking lot (built before the 2004 earthquake) through a humid forest dominated by marbri, better known as bois-bandé. With luck, the view of Les Saintes and the surrounding mountains is already splendid. The hike then continues along a small path at the top of the parking lot, near an interpretation panel. A few metres further on, in a small niche carved into the top of a huge boulder, the statuette of Notre-Dame de Guadeloupe is protected from thieves by a wrought-iron grille. It is not uncommon to see candles and flowers placed as offerings at the foot of the rock. There are flowers all along the way, too: you won't want to miss the mountain thyme with its pretty purple blossoms, or the mountain fuchsia with its pink flowers. Higher up, you'll come across the mountain yellow pineapple, which forms impressive, dense clumps at ground level, and the superb "Christmas tree", which is in fact a primitive fern. After a little more effort, you'll come to a magnificent site: the Faujas rockfall. This is a fault created by a phreatic eruption in 1798. The vegetation here is remarkable, with beautiful vegetated walls that seem to disappear into the sky. A further 15 minutes' walk takes you to the northern fault and the last steep incline before the final ascent, which takes a further 20 minutes. A few meters before the summit, you'll pass by a concrete shelter, useful in case of sudden weather deterioration. If you're lucky, the view from the summit is breathtaking, taking in the whole of Guadeloupe and the neighbouring islands. Before starting the descent, you'll pass through the Porte d'enfer and the Tarissan chasm: 70 m deep, this is the largest active chasm on the summit. It contains a boiling lake of hydrochloric acid!

Once back at the starting point, don't hesitate to take advantage of the yellow baths: the water here averages over 30°C! However, beware of amoebae (micro-organisms that can be pathogenic): don't dive head first into the water.

Respect nature: the entire circuit is located in the heart of the Guadeloupe National Park. If you want everyone to be able to enjoy this exceptional place, please respect the prohibitions: don't go off the trail, respect the signs, don't take shortcuts around bends (they damage the vegetation and lead to landslides), don't pick up anything and don't leave anything behind, not even a banana peel! There are no garbage cans on the trail or even in the parking lot, so take all your garbage with you.

Warning: between 2014 and 2019, new areas of fumaroles appeared at the summit, necessitating an order from the Prefect of Guadeloupe to extend the safety perimeter at the summit of La Soufrière in order to prevent and reduce risks to hikers. Signs have been put up by the National Park: please respect them for your own safety!

To approach the chasms of the "Vieille Dame" dome, you will need to wear a personal respiratory protection device (gas mask) and be accompanied by a qualified guide.

For up-to-the-minute information on the trail: www.guadeloupe-parcnational.fr (Randonner section). The randoguadeloupe.gp website is also very useful. It offers detailed hiking itineraries (difficulty level, itinerary to follow, dynamic cartography, GPS tracks and 3D navigation) and is regularly updated by Park staff, particularly on trail practicability.

Tips for a safe hike: Choose a hike suited to your level of fitness and physical ability. The level of the trails (called traces in Guadeloupe) is indicated, as well as their duration. Find out about the condition of the trails and the weather forecast for the day (rainfall can cause rivers to rise sharply). Always inform a third party of your chosen itinerary, and stick to it. Don't set off after 3pm, as night falls at 6pm at the latest in the tropics. Equip yourself with walking shoes, water, food (dried fruit, energy bars...), a telephone, rain gear...

The Havana people simply call it the Plaza, because, of all the Cuban squares, it is undoubtedly the best known and the most significant. Larger than the Plaza de la Concorde, it is still too small for large political gatherings, especially the one on May^1st. The Ministry of the Interior, the National Theater, the National Library and the building housing the Council of State, the Council of Ministers and the Central Committee of the Communist Party frame the square, which makes this Revolutionary Square the epicenter of political life in Cuba and explains the large police presence there, even if it is not immediately noticeable... What is striking are the huge portraits of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos that dominate the square.

It is in this vast space that the Cubans have taken, since 1959, the most important decisions of their history. Fidel Castro has made long and passionate speeches in front of huge crowds of attentive listeners. Contrary to what many foreigners imagine, the Plaza de la Revolución is not the work of the revolutionary government, since the idea of building a civic plaza goes back to the advent of the republic. It was in 1953, during the Batista regime, that the construction of the Plaza Cívica began, which was renamed Plaza de la Revolución on July 16, 1961. The first major event celebrated after the triumph of the revolution was the International Workers' Day on May¹, 1961.

Here, you'll find Martinique's largest tree nursery, as well as boutiques (arts and crafts, ready-to-wear, bookshop, florist, coffee roaster), services (car rental, real estate expert, communications agency, drone pilot school, orthoptist, osteopath, masseuse, hair clinic), leisure activities (escape game, gym, leisure center with wakepark, hydroclimb, trampoline) and food and beverage outlets (local culinary restaurant, home-made burgers, oenology center, chocolatier, etc.)).

Built in 1559 after the Plaza de Armas, intended for the military at the time, the Plaza Vieja (Old Square) quickly became the heart of the city. The first attempt at urban planning in the history of post-Columbian America, its layout innovated in relation to the Spanish urban organization with the integration of private residences. With the advent of the pseudo-republic (1902-1959), many of the beautiful homes of the past were replaced by buildings of no interest. You will pass by here more than once.