Flights to Guadeloupe from GBP 761*

Guadeloupe, seven islands in one

Guadeloupe is the largest island in the West Indies, but the name actually covers seven islands: Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre make up the main island. The others are named Saintes, Saint-Barthélémy, La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Saint-Martin. Since 2007, Marie-Galante and Saint-Martin have been recognised as overseas autonomous regions. Long beaches of white sand line the coast as far as the city of Sainte-Anne whereas the sand at Trois-Rivières is black. The beaches are lined with mangrove and coconut trees. The island enjoys a very pleasant tropical climate. The temperature of the water generally stays around 29°C and never falls below 24°C. The whole of the Guadeloupe National Park is recognised as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Its large biosphere is also part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Air France offers several regular flights to Guadeloupe. Before you set out, it's worthwhile checking with the appropriate authorities to prepare your journey with peace of mind.

Guadeloupe, its National Park and its natural reserves

The Guadeloupe National Park is home to 300 species of bushes and trees, a hundred or so species of orchids, 270 species of fern, 38 magnificent bird species, and 11 species of bat, two of which are not found anywhere else in the world. You can see all this unbelievable nature by visiting the Maison de la Forêt dedicated to this lush vegetation and the superb fauna. At the Pigeon Islets, you can practice underwater diving near the Malendure beach in the Cousteau Reserve. In the Petite-Terre Islets, you can see iguanas, and a magnificent tree known as Gaïac. In Basse-Terre, the mountainous part of the island is well worth a visit. You will appreciate the Soufrière volcano reaching up to a height of 1 467 metres. On the Sous-le-Vent coast, there are several hot springs bursting out of the ground. Finish with a bathe in the warm clear sea water and then enjoy some of the culinary specialities of the island.

A taste of Guadeloupe

Spend your holidays in Guadeloupe and taste culinary specialities such as Lambi, a large sea snail. Better known, the lobster, with its inimitable flavour will be among the dishes which you can try. If you like fish, the Vavaneau is a delicious goldfish. The Ouassou, or Chevrette, is a fresh-water prawn with a subtle, refined, flavour. Also taste the famous accras and colombos and the stuffed crab. Numerous fruit and vegetables accompany these delicious meals, such as okra, yam, cassava, christophine, butternut, etc.