Description
Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, an 8-hour flight from Paris, the eight islands of the archipelago of Guadeloupe, with their evocative names, are scattered in the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea Guadeloupe : Basse-Terre, Grande Terre, la Désirade, Marie-Galante, Petite Terre, les Saintes, Saint-Bartholomew and Saint-Martin.
Guadeloupe, which is dominated by la Soufrière (1467 m) on Basse-Terre, is an island of astonishing contrasts and incredible nature :
- “The island with beautiful waters”: bathed in the waters of the Caribbean Sea to the north-west and the waters of the Atlantic to the south-east, it is encircled with beaches of golden sand, lined with coconut trees. The temperature of the crystalline blue waters ranges between 24° and 29° throughout the year.
- “The emerald island”: the lush vegetation with a thousand tropical fragrances enjoys a warm climate and dry air, leading to very stable temperatures which vary between 23 and 35°.
- “The butterfly island”: a strange shape, with 2 islands separated by a narrow strip of sea, like 2 wings unfolding at the very heart of the West Indies arch.
To the east, Grande-Terre, the domain of sugar cane, with its many beaches of white sand and limpid waters, protected by coral reefs.
Worth discovering for :
- its costumes, which bear testimony to social and cultural mixes,
- its tales, one of its oldest traditions, which fuel superstitious beliefs (the “Quimboiseur”),
- its dances and music with Caribbean, African and European influences (Biguine, Zouk, etc),
- its fragrant and colourful markets
madras, Creole dolls, local jewels, magic products, etc,
- its “lolos,” typical small corner stores.
The flavours of the food :
Bebele, Colombos, Lambis and Calalous simmer to a Biguine tune; a subtle alchemy with Caribbean, African, European and Hindu influences.
