Basse-Terre
Guadeloupe · 20 m
Description
Basse-Terre is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe, a quiet town of colonial streets squeezed between the sea and the flank of the volcano that stands directly above it. Fort Delgrès looks down from a bluff at the river mouth, built by the French, taken by the British twice and named after the officer who blew himself up rather than accept the return of slavery. The cathedral and the old prefecture line the streets below. Roads from here climb into the national park and to the trailhead for La Soufrière. The town has fewer than twelve thousand people.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Fort Delgrès
- Colonial streets of the old quarter
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Guadeloupe
- Market and the covered halls
- Jardin botanique du Champ d'Arbaud
- Road up to the Soufrière trailhead
- Bains Jaunes hot pool(Day trip)
- Plage de Rivière Sens
- Old prefecture and the Conseil Général building