Les Saintes

Introduction

Les Saintes are a group of Caribbean islands and part of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe. They are located south of Basse Terre, the eastern part of the main island.

The bay of Les Saintes is ranked as “the second most beautiful bay in the world”, since the bay of Rio de Janeiro has been delisted. Terre de Haut is more touristy than its sister Terre de Bas, which is mainly residential. These two islands have been affected by the earthquake of 21 November 2004. This has given as a second effect, a decline in tourism which is for Terre de Haut an important source of income.

Sights and Activities

Fort Napoléon - Its museum and its botanical garden.
Grand-Îlet - Nature Reserve.
Morne Morel - Nature Reserve.

Weather

Les Saintes have a hot and humid tropical climate with average daytime temperatures throughout the year of 30 °C and average nights around 23 °C. Most rain falls between June and October with a change of hurricanes from August onwards. Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit weather wise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budget wise these latter months may be a good option as well.

Getting There

By Plane

There is no scheduled air transport but some private companies providing passengers transport on request.

Note that it’s possible to organize flights from the Terre de Haut airfield to the nearby islands in the Antilles.

By Boat

CTM Deher has services between Basse Terre and Les Saintes several times daily.

Getting Around

Walking, bikes, scooters or electric carts are the kings on Les Saintes.

Only a few utility vehicles (Gendarmerie, Firefighters, City Hall) will share roads with you.

Eat

Named "the Pearl of the Antilles", the islands of les Saintes abound with culinary treasures due to the blending of Caribbean and Indian cultures (Arawak and then Carib Indians peoples), European culture (Breton, Angevin, Norman, from Poitou and from Saintongeais settlers) and African culture.

From the creative gastronomic menu combining cooking from the mainland France and the Creole cuisine to flavours of the traditional Caribbean cuisine, les Saintes are a range of the gastronomic diversity.

Without ignoring the flavour of the fish accras, of the traditional Caribbean Black sausages, the Cuisine of Les Saintes comes in the traditional Creole cuisine.

If fish plays an important role in the local cuisine on the islands, this can be explained by the fact that fishing has for a long while been essential to the economic life of Les Saintes. By the way the fishermen from Les Saintes are known to be among the best fishermen in the West Indies. Fishing is mainly sold on the local market and can be seen again on the tables of restaurants.

The cuisine of Les Saintes excels also by the multitude of spice used in its dishes: whether it be the Colombo powder coming from Les Saintes which flavours meats, fish and vegetables or the seeds to fry, curry, cinnamon...this farandole of fragrances shake up your senses to appeal you!

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