22-27 May 2018 Le Gosier - French Caribbean (Guadeloupe)

Practical Information > About Guadeloupe

10 little-known facts about Guadeloupe

It’s a great place to practice French, particularly during the cold winter months, and although relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourists, has plenty to offer any visitor.

Here are ten facts about Guadeloupe that you may not already know.

  1. Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, including the butterfly shaped islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and Saint-Martin (the French part of the island of Saint Martin).
  2. The Amerindian inhabitants called Guadeloupe “Karukera” which means “Island of Beautiful Waters”.  It is widely regarded as having some of the best dive sites in the world.
  3. A narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe proper into two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the smaller, eastern Grande-Terre.
  4. Christopher Columbus came across the islands in 1493, and named them after a Spanish monastery, but the Carib indians who lived there resisted Spanish attempts to settle the islands. French colonists arrived in the 17th century though, and it became a French colony in 1635.
  5. There were several British occupations of Guadeloupe in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and a short period of Swedish rule, before it was restored to France. It became an official French department in 1946, and since the 1980s is a region of France.
  6. The islands have lovely white sand beaches, a rainforest that is brimming with wildlife, and, if that weren’t enough, the highest waterfall in the Caribbean!
  7. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic terrain, whilst Grande-Terre has rolling hills and flat plains. Basse-Terre tends to be cooler and wetter than Grande-Terre, especially on La Soufrière, its highest point.
  8. The famous dance of the island is called the biguine, which is still performed in colourful Creole dress.
  9. There are regular flights to Guadeloupe from other Caribbean islands, and also from Miami, Montreal and Paris. There are also ferry services from nearby islands such as Martinique and St Lucia.
  10. The best time to visit Guadeloupe is from December to May when the weather is warm and dry. The rest of the year is usually hot, humid and wet, especially between July and November.

Source: Cactus Blog

 

Gosier’s city abounds in wealth patrimonial as :

Forts

Fort « Fleur d’Epée »
Rich in his past, he shows fights between the English people and the French people in the 18th century. Today, the place kept all its soul; artistic exhibitions and cultural events take place there regularly. His strategic position offers besides a panoramic view on the bay of Gosier.

Fort of Louis
Situated on a hill, near Bas-du-Fort, this defense system built in the end of the 17th century witnessed battles against the English people in the 18th and at the beginning of the 19th century.

Monuments

The Church Saint-Louis, set up as 1658, owes its name to king Louis IX, Patron saint of the city of Gosier.

The commemorative stele of the abolition of slavery
Situated at the forefront of Saltworks, she commemorates the landing of Victor Hugues (1762-1826), national Commissioner in Guadeloupe, which emancipated the slaves of the island. The National common decree of February 04th, 1794 abolishing the slavery for the 1st time in Guadeloupe is posted there.

The war memorial
Situated on the boulevard of General de Gaulle, This site pays tribute to 1 470 inhabitants of Guadeloupe died during the 1st World war.

Mills

Bernard’s mill testifies of rich past to cannier (it is situated in Puddle of Gaillard). He is on a private property.

Saint Félix’s old distillery
she is on a private property. We can however perceive her mill in n°4, dead end Distillery routes of Pliane, after St Félix’s traffic circle.

Museum

The museum "Costumes et Traditions " (the only one of the Caribbean) suggests you discovering the history(story) of Guadeloupe through traditional costumes put forward(advanced) in sceness of the life of former days.

Waterfall

Source of Poucet

The source of Poucet is the only spring of fresh water in Grande-Terre island. This site has been recently landscaped and its freshness encourages relaxation, a beautiful pool covered with water lilies ... for the contemplative. This little corner of Paradise is very clean and there are bins for your garbage. Please respect the places and do not touch the trees.

 

(http://www.gosiertourisme.fr/spip.php?rubrique1&lang=en)

 

 Press

 

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 A Return to Guadeloupe:Tropical Life, French-Style

A food traveler went back to the Caribbean island amid growing recognition for its cuisine. That wasn’t the only draw. By ELIZABETH FIELDJAN. 17, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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