Guadeloupe… Or should I say my island at heart! What an incredible trip, rediscovering this beautiful destination that first captivated me a few years ago.

The program organized by the Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board (CTIG) was perfect! It allowed us to fully appreciate the striking contrasts between the different islands. Even though I am already a great admirer of Guadeloupe, and this was not my first stay in this paradise, each visit reveals even more of its wonders.

Grande-Terre, famous for its white-sand beaches and postcard-perfect landscapes, especially charmed us during our stop at Anse Souffleur beach in Port-Louis. But the island has many other facets: in some places it even recalls Brittany, such as Pointe de la Grande Vigie or Pointe des Châteaux, the eastern tip of Guadeloupe where the Atlantic Ocean stretches endlessly.

The visit to the famous Morne-À-L’Eau cemetery was also a memorable cultural highlight.

We then explored Basse-Terre, completely different from its neighbor but just as fascinating. La Soufrière, affectionately nicknamed “the Old Lady Volcano,” was one of the high points of our stay. This region offered us a deep immersion in lush vegetation, particularly during our visit to the Valombreuse Botanical Garden and our refreshing swim at Cascade aux Écrevisses.

We were lucky enough to discover the Maison du Cacao, with a tasting of this must-try local product. And of course, since Guadeloupe also means rum, we stopped at the Bologne distillery, where we observed the full production process before tasting exceptional rums.

But Guadeloupe is also a multitude of islands to explore. We had the privilege of experiencing a third facet of the archipelago: Terre-de-Haut, in Les Saintes, ranked among the most beautiful bays in the world. From our glass-bottom kayak, we could truly admire its beauty.

This island is also rich in history, with the Fort Napoléon, which we visited. And of course, no trip to Terre-de-Haut would be complete without tasting the famous Tourments d’Amour pastries.

As for accommodations, we spent two nights at the Arawak Hotel 4*, one night at the Saint Georges Hotel 3*, and one night at the Pierre & Vacances Sainte-Anne Residence. However, my true favorite was the La Créole Beach Hotel, which we visited. We had lunch there, and the buffet quality won unanimous praise from the group.

In conclusion, Guadeloupe is a true love affair. It has so much to offer: extraordinary flora and fauna, breathtaking landscapes, delicious gastronomy (lobster, chicken or goat colombo, accras, and more), and an incredibly welcoming population.

The Guadeloupe Islands: try it once, and you’ll fall in love!