Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Region: Guadeloupe

---

Geographic Coordinates: 16.241100, -61.533100

Climate: Tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, with a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from December to May.

Population: 250952

Language: French

---

Pointe-à-Pitre is a vibrant city situated on the island of Grande-Terre in Guadeloupe, Which is a French overseas territory located in the Caribbean. The city boasts bustling markets, Historic architecture, And beautiful beaches. One of the most popular attractions in Pointe-à-Pitre is Marché de la Darse, A colorful market that offers an array of fresh produce, Spices, And local crafts. Visitors can try traditional Guadeloupean dishes like accras (deep-fried cod fritters) or bokit (a sandwich made with fried dough).

Another must-visit attraction in Pointe-à-Pitre is Place de la Victoire – a picturesque square surrounded by colonial-style buildings where visitors can admire the impressive statue of Admiral Villeneuve and take in views of the harbor. For those interested in history and culture, Musée Schœlcher is highly recommended. This museum was once home to Victor Schœlcher – an abolitionist who played a key role in ending slavery on Guadeloupe. The museum houses exhibits on slavery and colonialism as well as artwork from local artists.

Of course, No trip to Pointe-à-Pitre would be complete without some time spent relaxing on one of its stunning beaches. Plage de la Datcha is one popular option with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling. In addition to its many attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy, Pointe-à-Pitre also serves as an important transportation hub for travelers exploring other parts of Guadeloupe or neighboring islands such as Martinique or Dominica. Overall, Pointe-à-Pitre has something for everyone – from history buffs to beach lovers – making it a must-stop destination when visiting Guadeloupe.

---

---

1. Place de la Victoire
2. Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church
3. Schoelcher Museum
4. Memorial ACTe Museum
5. Spice Market (Marché aux Épices)
6. Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul (Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul)
7. Fort Fleur d’Épée (Fort Delgrès)
8. La Darse Marina
9. Plage de la Datcha Beach
10. Musée Schœlcher

---

• 1. Tourism
• 2. Trade
• 3. Agriculture (sugar cane and bananas)
• 4. Fishing
• 5. Manufacturing (especially rum production)
• 6. Busy port that handles imports and exports

---



Noteable History

1. The city was founded in 1763 by the French colonial authorities as a port for the sugar trade.
2. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Pointe-à-Pitre became an important center of commerce and culture in the Caribbean.
3. In 1802, during the Napoleonic Wars, British forces captured Pointe-à-Pitre and held it briefly before returning it to French control.
4. In 1848, slavery was abolished in Guadeloupe following a long struggle by enslaved people for their freedom.
5. The writer Maryse Condé was born in Pointe-à-Pitre in 1937 and is considered one of the most important Francophone authors of our time.
6. The musician Henri Guédon was born in Pointe-à-Pitre in 1944 and is known for his contributions to Afro-Caribbean music.
7. In recent years, Pointe-à-Pitre has become known as a hub for tourism and cultural events such as Carnaval de Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe Carnival) which takes place annually before Lent begins.

---



Museums and Things To See

1. Memorial ACTe is a museum dedicated to the history and memory of slavery and the slave trade in Guadeloupe and the Caribbean.
2. Musée Saint-John Perse is a museum dedicated to the life and work of French poet, diplomat, and Nobel laureate Saint-John Perse.
3. La Maison de la Noix de Coco showcases traditional crafts made from coconut, including jewelry, baskets, and other decorative items.
4. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Pointe-à-Pitre is a beautiful cathedral with stunning stained glass windows.
5. Place de la Victoire is a historic square in central Pointe-à-Pitre featuring monuments commemorating Guadeloupe’s role in World War II.
6. Parc des Roches Gravées is an archaeological park featuring pre-Columbian rock carvings dating back over 3,000 years.
7. Fort Fleur d’Epee is a historic fort built by the French in 1759 to defend against British attacks on Guadeloupe.
8. Plage de la Datcha is one of Pointe-à-Pitre’s most popular beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports like windsurfing or kayaking.
9. Jardin Botanique de Deshaies is a botanical garden located on Basse-Terre island that features tropical plants from all over the world including palm trees, bamboo groves and orchids.
10. Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Natural Reserve is a protected marine area that offers visitors opportunities for snorkeling or scuba diving among coral reefs teeming with tropical fish species such as parrotfish or angelfish.

---



---



Sports Teams

1. Club Sportif Moulien: Founded in 1932, this football club has won the Guadeloupe Division d’Honneur eight times and the Coupe de Guadeloupe six times.
2. Etoile de Morne-à-l’Eau: This football club was founded in 1948 and has won the Division d’Honneur seven times and the Coupe de Guadeloupe five times.
3. ASC Karukéra: Founded in 1979, this basketball team has won multiple championships in both men’s and women’s leagues of the Ligue Guadeloupéenne de Basket-Ball.
4. Entente Cycliste Gwada Bikers 118: This cycling team was founded in 2010 and competes in races throughout Guadeloupe and other Caribbean islands. They have had several successful riders who have competed at international levels.
5. ASPTT Pointe-à-Pitre Handball: This handball club was founded in 1989 and has won multiple championships at both regional and national levels. They also organize a popular annual handball tournament called Tournoi des Hauts de Périnet.

---

---



Cultural Events

1. Carnival is one of the most significant cultural events held in Pointe-à-Pitre, celebrating African and Caribbean heritage with a colorful and lively parade that takes place in February or March.
2. The Festival of Saint-John is an annual celebration on June 24th, honoring Saint John the Baptist as the patron saint of Guadeloupe.
3. Each year on June 21st, Fête de la Musique celebrates music with free concerts throughout Pointe-à-Pitre.
4. Festival Terre de Blues is an annual music festival taking place on Marie-Galante island during Pentecost weekend in May or June.
5. La Nuit du Film Court (Short Film Night) showcases short films from Guadeloupe and other French-speaking countries every November.
6. Semaine Bleue (Blue Week) lasts for a week every October, celebrating maritime culture with boat races, fishing competitions, and seafood festivals.
7. Creole Day takes place on October 28th each year to honor Guadeloupe’s Creole heritage through traditional food, music, dance performances, and art exhibitions throughout Pointe-à-Pitre.
8. During December’s Christmas festivities in Pointe-à-Pitre there are many activities such as caroling events at churches or markets around town as well as holiday shopping fairs featuring locally made crafts like pottery or jewelry.

---



Cuisine

• Bokit is a fried bread sandwich that’s filled with various meats, cheese, and vegetables.
• Accras are fried cod fritters that are a popular snack in Guadeloupe.
• Colombo is a spicy curry dish made with meat or fish and served with rice.
• Ti Punch is a popular rum-based cocktail made with lime juice and sugar cane syrup.
• Le Saintois is a seafood restaurant known for its fresh catches of the day and traditional Creole dishes.
• La Table de Bacchus is a French-inspired restaurant offering fine dining experiences using local ingredients.
• Chez Lulu et Mimi is an authentic creole restaurant serving traditional dishes like stewed chicken, plantains, and rice and beans.
• Le Petit Creux des Îles is a casual eatery serving classic Guadeloupean dishes like bokit sandwiches, accras, and grilled fish or chicken plates.
• Le Rougailleur Creole Restaurant & Bar offers some of the best local cuisine in Pointe-à-Pitre including seafood platters, colombo curry dishes or grilled meats served alongside island-style sides like plantains or cassava fries.
• La Toubana Hotel & Spa Restaurant offers an upscale dining experience that combines French culinary techniques with Caribbean flavors to create unique dishes such as lobster bisque or coconut shrimp ceviche.

---



Parks and Recreation

1. Parc Paysager – a large park with walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
2. Jardin de la Perrine – a botanical garden with exotic plants and flowers.
3. Plage de Bas-du-Fort – a popular beach for swimming and sunbathing.
4. Memorial ACTe – a museum dedicated to the history of slavery in Guadeloupe.
5. Musee Schoelcher – a museum showcasing the life and work of Victor Schoelcher, an abolitionist who helped end slavery in France’s colonies.
6. Fort Fleur d’Epee – an old fort that offers stunning views of the coastline.
7. Centre Aquatique du Gosier – an aquatic center with pools, water slides, and other water-based activities.
8. Golf des Abymes – a golf course with 18 holes set amidst lush greenery.

---



Create Memories, Travel Often.

---