Grande-Terre


 * For New Caledonia's "big island", see Grande Terre

Grande-Terre is in Guadeloupe, a French overseas department.

History
Historically, the island of Grande-Terre was called "cibuqueira", meaning "island of gum trees" in the local Caribbean language. Although today's French name translated into English would mean big island, it's smaller than Basse-Terre.

Cities

 * — with its suburbs, it is the economic capital of Guadeloupe. There are museums, a bustling creole market place, an aquarium, and the impressive colonial fort to explore.
 * — maybe one of the most interesting places of Guadeloupe to enjoy nightlife. (You can enter most nightclubs with proper clothes, that is, no sneakers, no shorts)
 * if you go at the eastern point of Guadeloupe, you will reach La Pointe des Chateaux, a scenery made of sand and rocks which have vaguely the shape of a castle. From there, you can look up at the islands La Désirade, Petite Terre, Marie Galante, Les Saintes, La Dominique but also have a perfect view of the islands Grande Terre and far away Basse Terre.
 * — a very nice but also very touristy city and beach (maybe the tourists primary area of Guadeloupe). L'Americano, bd Georges Mandel, 0590 88 38 99: bar/restaurant offers free salsa courses on Saturdays and live performances some days. You will find all kind of bars. You can try Club Med, 0590 85 49 50 fax: 0590 85 49 59 (for instance, others resort may propose this formula too) for a one day all inclusive (breakfast, buffet, bars, drinks, beach volley, windsurf, boat, gym, dance courses...) for about €46, so it may be a good deal (as it costs €7 one hour of windsurf).
 * — renowned for its amazing cemetery composed of burial places made of black and white tiles.
 * — not far from there, you can visit La pointe de la Grande Vigie, northern point of mainland Guadeloupe. You can also go to Porte d'Enfer, a beautiful still stripe of sea between a scenery of reefs. From there, walk one hour along the cliff, and you will discover a Souffleur, kind of geyser due to the pressure of the sea.
 * — nothing special to see, but the weekend, there are 3 local nightclubs: L'instant, Caraibes and Latin Club. They are located at the same place.

Get in
See the Guadeloupe page on how to get in.

Gosier
Buses to Gosier leave from Rue Dubouchage at the east side of the harbor in Pointe-à-Pitre (where the international airport is). The bus from Pointe-à-Pitre to Gosier costs €1.30 (pay the driver) and takes about 15 minutes. If you are going to the Bas du Fort marina, you can take this bus and get off just past the university.


 * Ilet Gosier: a very tiny island with a lighthouse at about 600 metres from the mainland. Take a boat from the municipal beach at Gosier or just swim.
 * Ilet Gosier: a very tiny island with a lighthouse at about 600 metres from the mainland. Take a boat from the municipal beach at Gosier or just swim.
 * Ilet Gosier: a very tiny island with a lighthouse at about 600 metres from the mainland. Take a boat from the municipal beach at Gosier or just swim.

Pointe-à-Pitre

 * St John Perse museum: a famous writer who has lived in Guadeloupe.
 * The market place, typical of the creole atmosphere.
 * In Bas du Fort district, you can of course visit the Fort on the top of the hill. In the same area stands the Aquarium where you can contemplate a lot of fishes.
 * In Bas du Fort district, you can of course visit the Fort on the top of the hill. In the same area stands the Aquarium where you can contemplate a lot of fishes.

Drink

 * Cubano Lollapalooza: free bar nightclub which is pretty animated, drinks from €6. Dancers on the tables. Music: Merengue, Reggaeton, Salsa, Rnb, Zouk, Dance, etc.
 * El Bario Caliente: Bas du Fort Gosier, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 07:00 to dawn, 0590 908 096 bar, restaurant and dancing with a Latin atmosphere (merengue, bachata, salsa, reggaeton).
 * Zoo Rock: Bas du Fort, between Gosier and Pointe-à-Pitre located at the marina. Free, music varies from electronic to hip-hop and charts. Also frequented by many locals.

Go next

 * Basse-Terre