Tourism Guide Basse Terre en Guadeloupe
The city of Basse-Terre was named after the sailor vocabulary meaning land protected from winds. The name also refers to one of two islands that form Guadeloupe.
Basse-Terre is a modern and dynamic city that has long been relegated to second place in favor of Pointe-à-Pitre. It has developed its tourism activities in recent years. Restaurants, markets, shops and old buildings will delight all visitors.
History
The first inhabitants of Basse Terre were Native American. They built their village on the site of the cathedral as evidenced by archaeological excavations.
The municipality was created in the seventeenth century. Charles Houël, who was governor of Guadeloupe and seneschal, bought this land to the Compagnie des Iles d’Amerique. He built a fort and the town grew up around the first church, now Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Unfortunately, shortly after the construction of the city, the English destroyed it in a huge fire and then occupied it for seven years. This event led to the development of the other big city in this part of the island, Pointe-à-Pitre.
Moreover, the entry into eruption of the Soufriere in 1976 led to the evacuation of Basse-Terre.
However, today, Basse-Terre is recognized as a City of Art and History for its remarkable Creole heritage. Our Lady of Guadeloupe cathedral is also the oldest church in the archipelago.
To do / To see :
Basse-Terre has been developing a tourism perspective for only a short time. However, the city has the reputation to give a very warm welcome to its visitors. It is one of the few places where everybody says hello in the street, even to people they do not know!
The Boulevard du General de Gaulle big market, on the waterfront, is a nice place where one buys local products: fruit and vegetables, but also clothing and hats.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadeloupe: built in 1736, this cathedral boasts a Baroque Jesuit style stone façade, with St. Peter, St. Paul and the Virgin Mary statues.
Beauvallon garden: this beautiful botanical garden has been open since 2009 but has been grown with love for over 40 years by its owners, Mr. and Mrs. Lubin. In an one-hectare area, we discover many varieties of palm trees, medicinal plants, aromatic and fruit trees. We can also meet iguanas and parrots in the wild.
Fort Louis Delgres Historical Museum: this fort which has had several names during its history (Royal fort, Fort Richepance or Fort Saint-Charles) now hosts many temporary exhibitions, and a permanent exhibition on the history of the island. The fort is now called Delgres Louis, an armed forces colonel from Basse-Terre, made famous by his opposition to the reinstitution of slavery in 1802.
|
