Guadeloupe (Iles des Saintes)

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The eight-island archipelago of Iles des Saintes, often referred to as Les Saintes, dots the waters off the southern coast of Guadeloupe. The islands are Terre-de-Haut, Terre-de-Bas, Ilet à Cabrit, Grand Ilet, La Redonde, La Coche, Le Pâté, and Les Augustins. Columbus discovered them on November 4, 1493, and christened them Los Santos (Les Saintes in French) for All Saints' Day.
Only Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas are inhabited, with a combined population of little more than 3,000. Many of the Saintois are fair-haired, blue-eyed descendants of Breton and Norman sailors. Unless they are in the tourism industry, they tend to be taciturn and standoffish. Fishing is still their main source of income, and they take pride in their work. The shores are lined with their boats and filets bleus (blue nets dotted with orange buoys).

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Points of Interest

  • Napoleon Fort
  • Les Saintes Bay
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More about Guadeloupe (Iles des Saintes) Points of Interest

  • Napoleon Fort

    Located 114 meters above sea level, about a quarter of an hour's walk from the dock, Vauban style Fort Napoleon, overlooks the bay of Les Saintes. Up the stairs, a museum was set up; it is dedicated to the understanding of the Fort history and of the natural environment of the island. With the support of the Exotic Garden of Monaco, a conservatory of cactus was created. There are endemic species like the " cactus candles " or " English heads" but also varieties from around the world. You can also observe iguanas there.

  • Les Saintes Bay

    Ranked as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Les Saintes bay is located on the northwest coast of the island of Terre-de-Haut. Three forts were built around the Bay: Fort Josephine on the Cabrit Islet, Fort Napoleon over the Pointe Coquelet and the Batterie de la Tête-Rouge between l'Anse Galet and l'Anse du Fond Curé. Indeed Les Saintes Bay was the scene of many battles between the French and the English from the XVIIe and XIXe centuries. She also served as an anchorage for pirates and buccaneers.

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