The Best Travel Guide to Pointe-à-Pitre

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Guadeloupe

Pointe-à-Pitre

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North America Guadeloupe Pointe-à-Pitre

Overview

Pointe-à-Pitre The guide was updated: 2023-11-06

The butterfly-shaped islands of Guadeloupe are one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets. Travelers in the know have caught on and begun visiting this mesmerizing archipelago and the city of Pointe-à-Pitre to enjoy the fascinating mix of French tradition and Creole culture, the overwhelming natural beauty found in these islands, and the relative scarcity of tourists. With a burgeoning hotel infrastructure and an important cruise port welcoming seafarers, there has never been a better time to visit.

Facts

Population:	Pointe-à-Pitre: 13,687 (2023) Guadeloupe: 395,600 (2023)
Currency:	1 Euro, € = 100 cents
Hotels:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Emergency services: 112 Fire brigade: 18 Police: 17 Medical service: 15
Newspapers:	France-Antilles : www.guadeloupe.franceantilles.fr
Website:	www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com/tourisme/fr-fr
Opening hours:	Shops usually open from 8am to noon and then again from 2pm to 6pm. Most businesses and establishments are closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, holidays, and occasionally also on Wednesday afternoons.
Tourist information:	Tourist information center in Pointe-à-Pitre 5 Place de la banque, Pointe-à-Pitre +590 590 82 09 30 Opening hours: Mon & Tue 8am–4pm, Wed 8am–1pm, Thu 8am–4pm, Fri 8am–1pm, Sat & Sun closed

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Section in Pointe-à-Pitre

Pointe-a-Pitre is compact and easily navigable, offering nicely preserved 19th-century architecture, vibrant marketplaces, excellent museums, and the lively Place de la Victoire, the central square around which much of urban life revolves. The city also serves as a great home base for exploring the nearby natural beauty of the islands, with easy access to the imposing volcano La Grande Soufrière, the Guadeloupe National Park on Basse-Terre, and the other idyllic islands that make up Guadeloupe.

Place de la Victoire

Place de la Victoire

Place de la Victoire is the beating heart of life in Pointe-a-Pitre, a picturesque park and plaza lined with palm trees, historic houses, and sidewalk cafes on three sides and the clear waters of the harbor on the fourth. The plaza is also the center of historical and cultural events, hosting festivals, concerts, and other events.

Église Saint-Pierre & Saint-Paul

Église Saint-Pierre & Saint-Paul

Nicknamed the 'Iron Cathedral' because of the iron girders it has supporting the traditional arches (a structural necessity to protect the building from earthquakes and hurricanes), the quaint Église Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul is one of the prettiest buildings in the city and well-worth checking out.

Aquarium of Guadeloupe

Aquarium of Guadeloupe

The Aquarium of Guadeloupe is located in the area of Gosier, a short distance to the south of Pointe-a-Pitre, but the trip is well worth it, as it is often cited as one of France's best aquariums. It showcases the rich marine life of the area, with more than 60 species of tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, and many more.

La Grande Soufrière

La Grande Soufrière

La Grande Soufrière is an imposing volcano located in the Guadeloupe National Park and the tallest peak in the Lesser Antilles. It is still active and has erupted several times in the last few centuries, and is thus dotted by numerous hot springs, mud pools, and fumaroles, which can be explored on the approximately 2-hour hike to the top.

La Pointe des Châteaux

La Pointe des Châteaux

The easternmost point of the island of Grande Terre is known as La Pointe des Châteaux, a scenic isthmus of rugged rocky beauty. A hike from the village through the rock formations ends up at a vantage point from which the neighboring islands of La Désirade, Petite-Terre, and Marie-Galante can be admired on a clear day.

Museum Saint John Perse

Museum Saint John Perse

This beautiful and carefully restored colonial house is the site of a wonderful museum dedicated to poet, Nobel laureate, and national treasure Alexis Léger. Visitors to the museum can simultaneously admire the authentic Creole period house and explore exhibits on Léger's life and work.

Gosier

Gosier

Le Gosier a district of Pointe-a-Pitre located to the south-east, is a picturesque beachside town with plenty of charm and tourist facilities, including accommodation, a large marina, and lots of shopping. A favorite spot among tourists is the lighthouse on the Isle of Gosier, just a short distance offshore.

Guadeloupe National Park

Guadeloupe National Park

On the large island of Basse-Terre, about half an hour from Pointe-a-Pitre, is the beautiful Guadeloupe National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The park has over 300 kilometers of hiking trails through lush vegetation, imposing mountains and volcanoes, and a wide array of flora and fauna, including 100 species of orchid and 11 different kinds of bats.

Zoo de Guadeloupe

Zoo de Guadeloupe

The Zoo de Guadeloupe, located in Basse-Terre comprises four hectares of rainforest dedicated to the conservation of rare and endangered animals. There are hiking trails that run through the forest where visitors can admire turtles, monkeys, jaguars, and numerous colorful bird species.

Port-Louis

Port-Louis

Port-Louis is a small and charming fishing village in the north of Grande-Terre, dotted with brightly-colored houses. The area is also home to Plage du Souffleur, one of the most spectacular beaches in the country.

Jardin Botanique de Deshaies

Jardin Botanique de Deshaies

The northwest coast of the island of Basse-Terre is home to the lovely Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, a lush garden displaying some of the most beautiful specimens of the rich flora of the Caribbean islands.

Terre-de-Bas Island

Terre-de-Bas Island

Located just south of Basse-Terre Island, Terre-de-Bas is one of the smaller islands that make up Guadeloupe, and by far, one of the most beautiful. It boasts picturesque fishing villages and beaches, as well as some lovely hiking trails, including one to the towering Grande Montagne.

Terre-de-Haut Island

Terre-de-Haut Island

Terre-de-Bas' eastern counterpart, Terre-de-Haut is, arguably, more charming and distinctly French than the other island of Les Saintes. The beautiful bay of Bourg des Saintes, the island's main settlement, is bordered by pure white sands, quaint wooden houses, and colorful fishing boats, all the while towered over by the volcanic "Sugarloaf" hill.

Sainte-Anne

Sainte-Anne

Sainte-Anne is one of Guadeloupe's top tourist destinations, easily reachable from Pointe-a-Pitre, on the southern coast of Grande-Terre. The village dates back to the 17th century and boasts one of the most fantastic beaches in all of Guadeloupe, lined by a welcoming promenade. You can find the remains of old sugar mills in the area, as well as some great dining and shopping opportunities.

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