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Practical info
5 hours behind Mainland France in winter, and 6 hours behind in summer.
8 h
Euro
Area size
1 780 km
6 732 km
(from Paris)
Population
443 000 inhabitants
French
Capital
Port-Louis
Before leaving vous must carry :
- A valid passeport
- A return ticket is mandatory
Information on customs and security formalities is provided as a guide.
Under no circumstances may Corsair be held responsible if your official documentation is not in order.
To prepare your trip, we suggest you contact the island’s tourist office:Interface Tourism
Worth knowing
There are no obligatory vaccinations. However, remember to take sun cream, sunglasses and mosquito repellents.
Shopping hours
Shops are open between 08:00 and 18:00, with a break between 12:00 and 14:00.
Transport
There are various ways to get around Guadeloupe. To reach the neighbouring islands, use the regular boat links. Coaches are the most common way of getting around the island, but the ideal way to discover the island remains hiring a car.
Security
Before swimming, do watch out for certain fish and marine animals: seek advice beforehand.
Services
Administrative offices are open between 09:00 and 17:00 from Monday to Friday.
Holidays and celebrations
- New Year’s Day: 1st January
- Easter Monday: between 22nd March and 25th April
- Labour Day: 1st May
- VE Day: 8th May
- Ascension: 20th May
- Pentecost Monday: 30th May
- National holiday: 14th July
- Assumption: 15th August
- All Saints’ Day: 1st November
- Armistice Day: 11th November
- Christmas: 25th December
Going to / Leaving the airport
See detailThe essentials
Not to be missed
Though the administrative capital of Guadeloupe is Basse-Terre, Pointe-à-Pitre is very much the economic capital. Near the old colonial centre, a modern city is now developing. By day, the city is lively, noisy and filled with the scent of spices and the various market stalls.
Place de la Victoire, Darse, rue Frébault, rue Nozières and rue Schœlcher, the port area and Saint-Antoine market are among the city’s essential landmarks.
How to see Pointe-à-Pitre
The most pleasant way of paying a visit is to come on foot from the centre, which allows you to observe the contrasts between the colonial houses and its more recent structures, the bustle of its markets and shops, as well as the various monuments and museums.
Monuments and museums
Be sure not to miss the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, or the city pavilion. As for museums, Schœlcher Museum and Saint John Perse Museum are worth the trip.
The Guadeloupe aquarium
Located in the Pointe-à-Pitre marina, the Gosier aquarium is one of the biggest in the West Indies. Here you can discover the natural treasures hidden beneath the waters of the archipelago, with hundreds of species. There are also videos and educational activities on offer for younger visitors.
The historical centre
The old centre of Pointe-à-Pitre comprises colonial architecture buildings from the 18th century. Laid out in a grid pattern, the streets cross each other at right angles. The administrative and military apparatus is also concentrated in the centre.
A regularly altered city
Pointe-à-Pitre has been struck by many natural catastrophes. Fires, earthquakes and hurricanes have led to reconstructions, which have altered the morphology of the city several times.
Gastronomy
A cuisine full of character
Guadeloupean cuisine has retained the mark of all those who have lived on the island, bringing their culinary traditions with them.
From the first Arawak inhabitants, Guadeloupeans have retained the use of very spicy seasoning, grilled or smoke-dried meat, shellfish meat preparations mixed with manioc flour and manioc bread (cassava). Colombo was inherited from the Indians arriving after the abolition of slavery. Like all West Indian dishes, Guadeloupean specialities are very spicy.
Sea food
Abundant and succulent. The red snapper has excellent flesh. Marlin, king mackerel or shark are often served as grilled steaks. They can also be smoked. Also good to try are lobster, chatrou (octopus often served fricassee) and lambis (big sea snails).
Some specialities
You cannot pass up the chance to try the famous accras. A source of West Indian pride, these cod (or vegetable) fritters with fine herbs are definitely moreish. Stuffed crabs, Colombo chicken or féroce (pureed avocado with very spicy cod) are just as succulent. The desserts are not found wanting either: preserves, coconut sorbets and “tourments d’amour” (cakes with coconut jam) will delight the sweet-toothed.
Drinks
Rich and full of depth, Guadeloupian rums are among the best in the world. The famous ti-punches are a blend of rum, lemon and sugar. Fruit juices are fresh and inexpensive, often squeezed in-situ and sold in the street. Mabi is a sparkling drink inherited from the Caribbean Indians. A liana, ginger, nutmeg and aniseed base is blended with fruits and cane sugar.
Bite size
When you feel like a snack, give in to a bokit. This cheap local sandwich may contain meat, fish or raw vegetables. It is closed like a fritter and then fried.
Culture
Picturesque celebrations
A number of beliefs and traditions are combined in Guadeloupe, such as cock fights or religious dances. The island has an anthology of rites and other mystic practices from Africa, still well rooted in local culture, which you can attend, especially in the capital.
Festivals
The festivals are full-on "cultural immersions" featuring music, games and culinary art in close association. The most popular are the All Saints’ festivities, with the illuminated cemeteries, the carnivals, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Numerous patron saints’ days are also celebrated every year, including on the outskirts of Pointe-à-Pitre
Music
Creole dance and music are omnipresent. Zouk in particular, and even zouk-love, a romantic and intimate zouk, for close-up dancing. The more traditional orchestra dances are still going strong at some balls. There’s also the waltz, mazurka, polka (from the colonial past) and above all the biguine, which is very popular in the city.
The Rum Route
For sports lovers, Pointe-à-Pitre is also the finish for the mythical Rum Route. Every four years in November, you can come to cheer on the heroes of this solo transatlantic race. The city is always buzzing to mark the occasion.
Worth knowing
If you are still in doubt over the dates to book your flight for Pointe à Pitre, think about the local festivals: Grand Carnival (during January, February and March), the anniversary of the abolition of slavery on 27th May or Victor Schœlcher day on 21st July (public holiday) are good opportunities.
Climate
Sun, wind and rain
The tropical climate makes for a pleasant atmosphere, with an average temperature of 25°C all year round. The more pleasant dry season runs from December to April. The rainy season runs from July to October. Cyclones generally come in August and September. At higher altitude, it is distinctly cooler. www.meteofrance.com
When night falls
The sun rises at between 05:00 and 06:00 all year round, and sets at between 17:30 and 18:30, i.e. fairly early.
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