For admirers of built heritage, the town of Basse-Terre (the administrative capital of Guadeloupe), on the south-west coast of the eponymous island, is an unmissable feature of the Guadeloupe archipelago. With its quiet charm and historic monuments, it is well worth a visit.

Though the name of Fort Delgrès, built in the 17th and 18th centuries, has been changed several times in the course of time and according to its occupants, from 1989 it has borne the name of a famous historical figure known for his anti-slavery proclamation. An important centre of resistance in Guadeloupe to the re-establishment of slavery in 1802, this imposing building with thick stone walls majestically overlooks the sea, commanding a magnificent view of the town and the Caribbean mountains. As well as this incredible panoramic view and the lovely walks you can enjoy there, you will find an impressive memorial in honour of the 1802 hero Louis Delgrès.

The exploration of this Town of Art and History continues in the Saint-François district, at the Heritage House (Maison du Patrimoine). Established in an early 19th -century building, the centre hosts temporary exhibitions and conferences, and organises guided tours of different places in Basse-Terre. Not far from there is the 18th-century cathedral of Our Lady of Guadeloupe (Notre-Dame-de-Guadeloupe), which has a fine façade of dressed volcanic stone, in the Jesuit Baroque style.

After passing through the Place du Champ d'Arbaud, which is designed for strolling around, you can explore Basse-Terre's pleasant seafront, with its renowned covered market selling fruit, vegetables, spices, punch, flavoured rums and other local produce, and taking place in the mornings from Monday to Saturday, in a cheerful and sociable atmosphere! If you enjoy rum, you can go to the Bologne distillery, where they produce the famous cane juice rum. Situated at the northern exit from the town, the distillery gives guided tours of its plant, as well as a tasting at the end of the tour.

Established at the foot of the Soufrière, in the heart of Basse-Terre island at an altitude of 530 metres, Saint-Claude is a pretty little town surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Appreciated for its agreeable climate, its temperature being lower than on the coast, the area nonetheless lives with the threat of a new volcanic eruption from the Soufrière, a great proportion of the inhabitants having been evacuated when it erupted in 1976. The volcano and earthquake observatory, which was founded in Gourbeyre, protects the inhabitants from these risks by constantly monitoring the volcano.

Built on a slope, the charming resort of Saint-Claude boasts beautiful houses and a pretty little church of St Augustine, with a façade reminiscent of South American architecture.

About two kilometres away from Saint-Claude, by the side of the road to Matouba, stands the Louis Delgrès stele, a memorial built in honour of Commander Delgrès - known for his anti-slavery proclamation - and his companions, who gave their lives on 28 May 1802.

At the far south end of Basse-Terre island lies the charming, calm and relaxing village of Vieux-Fort; its name refers to the fort built by the first French colonists in the 17th century. Today there are still some remnants of that time, as evidenced by remains of the fortifications and four cannons, from where you can enjoy a lovely view of the sea and the lighthouse. Also, the fort is now home to a renowned centre for embroidery and textile arts, where the embroiderers pass down their skills from generation to generation, and exhibit their marvels of meticulously fine work.

From the village, you can then take a little road leading to Vieux-Fort headland, where the lighthouse was erected on a rocky spur in 1954. From this very pleasant site, the view of the Saintes and Dominica is absolutely stunning! The lovely green space nearby is ideal for having a picnic or resting a while, gazing at the sea…

In the heart of The Guadeloupe National Park stands the famous Soufrière, an impressive volcano, still active, nicknamed the Old Lady. Located on the island of Lower Earth, near the climatic resort of Saint-Claude, this natural site, among the most beautiful in Guadeloupe, is also the highest point of the Lesser Antilles with its 1,467 meters in height, whose magnificent slopes attract lovers of walking. Before embarking on the adventure, however, it is essential to consult the weather and choose a beautiful sunny day in order to avoid any inconvenience and to find yourself in the rain or mist during the ascent.

A superb hike from the yellow baths car park located at 950 meters above sea level allows you to reach the summit of the Soufrière in about 2 hours. A splendid route, especially along the Path of the Ladies, where you can enjoy remarkable views of the Lower Earth coastline and the Caribbean Sea on a clear day… It is also a beautiful vegetation, with superb colors, and whose flora varies with the ascent, which can be admired during the walk.

Once at the summit, a marked path around the volcano allows in about thirty minutes to discover a lunar landscape dotted with craters, chasms and pitons. Beware, however, once up there, the fumes escaping from the chasms that can be dangerous to health, be careful and be careful not to leave the markup!

The return to the starting point of the ride is by the same route as on the way and if you want to relax your muscles after the walk, do not hesitate to go for a ride to the Yellow Baths. Nestled in the heart of the rainforest, near the yellow baths car park, this basin of sulphurous warm water, fed by hot springs from the volcano, is a real natural spa, appreciated by locals and tourists alike.

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On the Côte-sous-le-vent, to the west of Basse-Terre island between Bouillante and Vieux-Habitants, nestles the renowned Anse à la Barque, one of the most beautiful and picturesque landscapes in Guadeloupe, with its deep blue sea, protected shores planted with coconut palms, fishing boats and little lighthouse… However, though the site is attractive, it is not suitable for bathing. This deep little bay is better for mooring fishing and pleasure boats. Peaceful and romantic, this extremely photogenic wild place cannot fail to delight amateur photographers!

To the south of Basse-Terre, not far from the town of Trois-Rivières towards Vieux-Fort, is Grande Anse beach. Loved by surfers and bodyboarders, this is a magnificent place, where the black sand recalls the volcanic character of the island. On this long stretch of beach lined with coconut palms, you can enjoy a landscape of incredible wild beauty, with the bonus of a superb view of the Saintes! It is particularly pleasing to walk barefoot there, as the fine, soft sand feels very pleasant. However, since the sea is often rough there, with strong currents and big rolling waves, caution is advised when going swimming.

Grande Anse beach is protected by law under a prefectural order, as it is a place where sea turtles lay their eggs, a rare phenomenon which of course must be treated with respect!

A tourist hotspot famous for its water sports, Bouillante is located on the west coast of Basse-Terre, between Anse à la Barque, a superb, unspoilt little bay, and the River Colas. Founded in the 17th century, this locality owes its name (which means "boiling") to the presence of hot springs, which today supply a geothermal power station.

Though the municipality is particularly renowned for its Malendure Beach, lined with coconut palms, it is also famous for the Cousteau Reserve, where the magnificent sea bed can be viewed in glass-bottomed boats, kayaks with transparent hulls, snorkelling, or scuba diving around the Pigeon islets. The very lively Malendure Beach, with its black sand, will delight anyone who enjoys sunbathing and swimming!

Described by Christopher Columbus, who would have glimpsed them upon disembarking at Capesterre-Belle-Eau in 1493, as "a very large spring spreading water on all sides of the mountain", the Carbet falls still astound visitors by their beauty and the majesty of the scenery around them. Among the most impressive waterfalls of the Lesser Antilles, these three falls located at the heart of the rainforest in Guadeloupe National Park offer nature-lovers a truly splendid spectacle!

With two levels, the first fall is 115 metres high and is about 1h30 on foot from the reception area. The third, 20 metres high, ends with a beautiful circular pool. Visitors are not allowed close to this fall due to frequent landslides that take place. The most famous and most accessible waterfall is the second Carbet fall, at a height of 110 metres, which can be reached in about twenty minutes' walk along a nice signposted trail through lush rainforest . For safety reasons, however, visitors cannot go all the way to the bottom of the waterfall. This magnificent waterfall can still be admired from a specially constructed belvedere located not far away.

Easily accessible without any difficulties, apart from a few passages that can be a bit slippery, the Grand Étang discovery trail is perfect for a family outing in the countryside. Located on the edge of the falls road, this walking tour along the Grand Étang takes about 1h30 and is ideal for bird-watching...

Located in the municipality of Bouillante, at the edge of the famous Route de la Traversée, on the edge of Guadeloupe National Park in the heart of the Basse-Terre rainforest, Les Mamelles Park is a haven of peace and greenery where countless plant species thrive, and where around 85 animal species from the Caribbean and Guyana live, from iguanas to raccoons, through mongoose, jaguars, monkeys, parrots, turtles and bats.

Les Mamelles zoological and botanical park offers over two hours' worth of exploration, with West Indian wildlife and lush tropical flora, as well as facilities for children such as La Kaz' à Tarzan, a forest playground with bridges, slides and secret passageways. For the more adventurous visitor, it is also possible to take a walk in the forest canopy. From the high treetops, on bridges suspended over 20 metres high, you can see plants that would be invisible to you at ground level, such as orchids and wild pineapple. Not suitable for vertigo sufferers!

The informative park also offers an educational exhibition on West Indian biodiversity, as well as its efforts to protect local wildlife. The conservation of rare and endangered species is indeed one of the main aims of Les Mamelles park. As a visitor, you also contribute to funding the SOS Faune Sauvage care centre for wild animals, since part of the entrance fee goes to this organisation.

A truly intense sightseeing experience and an ideal way to get to know the local fauna and flora!

Popular with boaters, nature-lovers and scuba diving enthusiasts, the fantastic little archipelago of Les Saintes, located off the southern coast of Basse-Terre, is composed of seven islets and two inhabited islands that are Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas. Accessible by boat from Trois-Rivières (20 min), Pointe-à-Pitre (1h) or Saint-François (1h30), the island of Terre-de-Haut, the most visited of the archipelago, has an impressively beautiful bay which has been ranked among the most beautiful in the world! Dotted with charming houses with red roofs, this pleasant island, with its steep terrain and warm welcome, is full of wonderful surprises, best discovered on foot - if you have enough time! - mountain bike, electric bicycle or even by electric car.

Perched on a hill on the island, Fort Napoleon is THE must-see site of Terre-de-Haut. Incredibly photogenic, this unmissable attraction is open daily from 9 am to 12.30 pm (except bank holidays) and offers photography enthusiasts a beautiful setting, with its exotic cactus garden (where it is not unusual to see iguanas), its ramparts and its exceptional view over the Bay of Les Saintes... Built in the 19th century, the fort also houses a museum dedicated to the arts and popular traditions of Les Saintes, with exhibitions taking place in the halls of the old barracks.

Going down from the fort, make a stop in the charming town of Terre-de-Haut, dotted with restaurants and shops, then visit its pretty little church made of volcanic stone, before continuing your trip towards the island beaches, where you will be spoiled for choice. Among the most pleasant are the beautiful Pompierre beach (the most tourist-friendly), Anse Rodrigue beach, Anse Crawen beach, or the beaches of Petite Anse du Pain de Sucre and Anse Devant, ideal places to relax and enjoy a swim! Although it is an ideal place for a walk, swimming is prohibited at the vast Grande Anse beach, popular for its rugged beauty, because of its dangerous currents.

Hikers can climb up to the viewpoint of Le Chameau, located to the south-west of the island, at 309 metres above sea level. The effort during the steep climb is rewarded at the end with an unforgettable view over the archipelago!

Before leaving Terre-de-Haut, treat yourself to one of the tourments d'amour (literally "love torments") sold in the town. These delicious tarts with coconut, banana or guava jam are the local speciality!

If you have time and are staying for several days at Les Saintes, be sure to visit the peaceful island of Terre-de-Bas. The latter, while less known than Terre-de-Haut, is no less attractive. In the peace and quiet, you are sure to appreciate its calm and authentic atmosphere, relaxed lifestyle and the beautiful Grande Anse beach of golden sand lined with coconut trees, and the creek of Grand Bay (Grande Baie), where the remains of a former 18th and 19th-century pottery, now a listed Historic Monument, stand on the seafront.

Located on the island of Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe National Park was created in 1989, becoming the first French national park in the overseas territories. It aims to preserve the nature of the Antilles and its fauna and flora, both marine and terrestrial. The park covers nearly 22,000 hectares, including 17,300 hectares of tropical forest and 3,700 hectares in a humid and marine environment.

Some of the most beautiful natural sites of Guadeloupe are located in this area. Thus, you can discover the famous Soufrière volcano, the highest peak of the Lesser Antilles at 1,467 metres in altitude, the magnificent and impressive Carbet falls or the exotic nature reserve of the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin. Nearly 300 kilometres of trails allow visitors to explore this fabulous heritage. It's a delight for hiking enthusiasts in search of unspoilt countryside! Guadeloupe National Park is also full of impressive local wildlife and attentive walkers may meet racoons, mongoose, hummingbirds, brown pelicans, or stick insects.

Located along the famous Route de la Traversée, a road whose 17 km itinerary connects Petit-Bourg to Pointe-Noire, the Forest House (Maison de la Forêt) allows visitors to learn a little more about this lush natural environment. On the outskirts of this site is a nice picnic area located along the Bras-David river, as well as the starting point of a discovery trail that crosses a wooden bridge. A little further along the Route de la Traversée, in the direction of Petit-Bourg, lies the starting point of a landscaped path leading to the Crayfish Waterfall (Cascade aux Écrevisses). A short, easy walk, ideal for families with children, which in ten minutes takes you to the pretty waterfall, nestled in an extremely green environment.

On the hills of the charming village of Deshaies nestles one of the most visited sites in Guadeloupe: Deshaies Botanical Garden... Famous for having been the property of the comedian Coluche, this estate of seven hectares, bought by the landscape gardener and nursery owner Michel Gaillard in 1991, is now an exceptional flower and animal park, and a listed Remarkable Garden. A real festival of colour and a celebration of West Indian flora, with orchids, bougainvillea, hibiscus, heliconias and torch ginger. Strolling along a 1.5 km path, you can also see a lily pond filled with koi carp, a large aviary that's home to some intrepid little Lorikeets, an arboretum with majestic trees, a bamboo forest, flamingos standing proudly near the waterfall, a plant-covered wall where water hyacinths with blue flowers bloom, a lovely village of macaws, and also a palm grove, cacti and an avenue of tree ferns! Just before you reach the cacti, be sure to admire the talipot palm, a unique palm tree in Guadeloupe that originally comes from Sri Lanka. With a lifespan of 80 to 100 years, it dies after producing its only flower...

You will also have the option to eat lunch there if you wish. As its name indicates, its panoramic restaurant enjoys a superb view of the park's waterfall and the Caribbean sea!

Quietly nestled between mountains and sea on the west coast of the island of Basse-Terre, the adorable picture postcard village of Deshaies casts a spell over visitors with its authentic charm. A most photogenic setting, with its typical Creole houses and pretty little church, which is best admired from the picturesque fishing port ... And for lunch or a romantic dinner, there are several restaurants with very pleasant terraces overlooking the Caribbean Sea. While this fishing village tucked away in the bay is especially popular for its relaxed lifestyle, it is also an unmissable destination in Guadeloupe, with its huge beach of Grande Anse and wonderful botanical garden with many plant species!

On the west coast of the island of Basse-Terre, two kilometres north of the village of Deshaies, lies the huge and famous Grand Anse beach. Nestled in a green setting, this magnificent golden, sandy beach is the longest in Guadeloupe! It has more than a kilometre of fine sand, to the delight of sunbathers, and a multitude of coconut palms and sea grape bushes whose shade is most appreciated when it's time for a nap, a picnic lunch or a taste of handmade coconut sorbet, while admiring the waves of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the shore... It is a nice place to swim, but this must be done with caution, because of the many currents and rolling waves that can be dangerous. Care must therefore be taken, especially for families with children!

Nestling between the mountains and the sea, in the commune of Petit-Bourg, the Domaine de Valombreuse, covering five hectares, is one of the most extensive floral parks in Guadeloupe. It is the ideal opportunity for garden-lovers to enjoy exotic flora and admire hundreds of tropical plants. The greenhouses full of orchids and ferns, the magical garden with medicinal plants, topiaries, and the diversified palm grove are some of the marvels to discover in the course of a stroll. This green and peaceful haven is also noted for being home to nearly 28 bird species, such as the Guadeloupe Woodpecker and the Plumbeous Warbler, both of which are native to Guadeloupe. The Domaine de Valombreuse also includes a rainforest where there is a natural waterfall for bathing within thirty minutes' walk.

A great number of leisure activities for children are also on offer, from slides to inflatables through trampolines, a treetop rope course, water games and pony rides. All you need to enjoy yourselves!

At Pointe-à-Pitre harbour in Guadeloupe, the Memorial ACTe or "Caribbean Centre of Expressions and Memory of the Slave trade and Slavery" is a unique place of remembrance. It opened in 2015 with two aims: to document the reality of the victims' suffering while using the act of commemoration to work towards a better society.

On a 7,800 m² site erected where a sugar factory once stood, there are several suggested tours of varying length, depending on how much time you have to spare. For example, in two hours, alone or with your family, you can access the permanent exhibition, take a walk along the coast and visit the Memory Hill (Morne Mémoire), the Memorial garden with ocean views, by crossing the 275 metre-long footbridge between the panoramic garden and the main building. Once you reach the Memory Hill, take a look at the orientation table showing the orientation points of the slave trade and the slavery sites.

The permanent exhibition at the Memorial ACTe will take you on a journey through six historic periods called "archipelagos": The Americas, Towards slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, The slavery period, Abolition, Post-abolition and segregation, and Today.

One unusual feature is a genealogy research workshop for visitors to trace their ancestors based on their family name, with over 6,000 Guadeloupe family trees.