Make a self catering villa or holiday rental in Grande-Terre, Guadaloupe your home away from home

Grande-Terre is one of the Caribbean Islands which makes up Guadaloupe, along with Basse-Terre, Les Saintes and La Desirade. As its name suggests, the islands were a French colony from 1635 and have retained their French influence in the cuisine, language and currency. Grande-Terre has rolling hills, flat plains and beautiful sandy beaches lapped by the warm Caribbean Sea. Inland, the lush mountainous areas have unspoilt tropical scenery and offer plenty of things to see and do from your Grande-Terre holiday rental.

Things to Do in Grande-Terre, Guadaloupe

Grande-Terre was described as a “divers’ paradise” by the eminent Jacques Cousteau and the islands are listed as one of the top 10 diving sites in the world. The white sandy beaches provide the perfect place to sunbathe, walk along the water’s edge, snorkel, windsurf or go jet skiing. Visitors can explore the rainforest and visit the waterfalls in the island’s lush green jungle. Guadaloupe offers fine shopping for French imports such as perfume, wine and Lalique crystal as well as local goods such as straw hats and handmade lace. At the end of the day there are plenty of restaurants, bars and nightlife within easy reach of your Grande-Terre holiday villa. Visitors can enjoy the exotic cocktails, local music and dancing, including the “Biguine”, the local dance which shows off the ornate Creole costumes which are still worn.

Places to Visit in Grande-Terre, Guadaloupe

The best place to see the amazing marine life is the underwater Cousteau Preserve which has plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, diving and glass-bottom boat trips. The National Park of Guadaloupe provides 300km of marked trails which lead tourists through the rainforest to see the amazing flora and fauna. Visit the breathtaking waterfalls such as the Cascade aux Ecrevisses and the still blue lakes such as the Grand Etang. Visit the Gardel Sugar Factory or sample the local rum and learn how the Caribbean’s favourite drink is made at the Rum Museum or visit the historic commercial capital at Pointe-à-Pitre. There is a busy market in the Place de la Victoire where, during the French Revolution, more than 850 people lost their heads.

Weather in Grande-Terre, Guadaloupe

Holiday villas in Grande-Terre enjoy warm weather all year round with a rainy season from June to October. Temperatures range from 28-31°C (82-88°F) throughout the year. It can be humid at times and showers can occur at any time of year.

Travel to Grande-Terre, Guadaloupe

Visitors to Grande-Terre generally arrive by air into the main Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) International Airport which is located in Abymes on the west side of Grande-Terre. Flights take 12 hours 40 minutes from London, with stopover time, usually in Paris. New York is 6 hours away from your Grande-Terre holiday villa. The Pointe-à-Pitre Airport is a major hub and the second busiest airport in the Lesser Antilles making it very easy to get a flight to this idyllic island paradise.