Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, is located on Grande-Terre. This beautiful area often gets overshadowed by some of the more touristy areas. If you do have a day to spare, Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre is worth checking out.
Waterfront
Unfortunately, Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre has been rebuilt many times so it’s difficult to find any old world charm in the city. However, the waterfront is filled with it. Here you can see not only the beautiful water, but can stop at a café as well. It’s a great place to mingle with the locals and learn about the area. It’s a nice place to stop at for those that need a little down time after a long day of exploring. Currently there are 3 restaurants and around 80 shops.
Cathedrale Saint Pierre Saint Paul
This cathedral has experienced some destruction over the years from past earthquakes. The interior now has a lot of iron reinforcements on the inside to help keep it standing. It has a certain colonial style and is worth a visit if you are nearby.
Shopping
One of the biggest reasons why tourists come to this area is to shop. In particular, the outdoor market, Le Marche de la Darse is a must see. There are a lot of natural spices and some of the freshest food in the area. It’s best to visit it in the morning hours when it’s livelier and it isn’t that hot out yet. Throughout the city you can find cultural related finds as well as more touristy items.
Place de la Victoire
This is the town center of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre. Basically it’s a shaded park filled with palm and sandbox trees. It holds a lot of history as the square once held a guillotine and a lot of death occurred because of the dictator, Victor Hugues. Today, the town center has a more relaxed atmosphere and it is a great place just to people watch or enjoy a quiet lunch.
Musee Saint-John Perse
This is an interesting place to visit for those that want to learn more about it’s namesake. Visitors can learn about the life of the writer, including some of the struggles he faced during World War II. While small, there is a lot to see here.
If you do plan on visiting Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre, make sure you stop at the local tourist office as well: the Comité du Tourisme des Iles de la Guadeloupe. Here you can find maps and get advice on places to visit and things to do.
