Basse-Terre is covered in 17,000 hectare of magnificent rain forest, which was given National Park status in 1989. It is a very dense forest dominated by La Soufrière volcano (1,467m) and famous peaks such as the Pitons de Bouillante. It is bordered by shingle and sand beaches whose colours are unique in the world - black, grey, pink, golden, brown and white sand - and by a fabulous, world famous underwater reserve, the Jacques Cousteau Marine Reserve. Basse-Terre also houses many examples of the island's cultural diversity: Catholic churches and a Hindu temple, archaeological remains of the first inhabitants and a 17th century military fort.

Further to the East, Grande-Terre is a plateau suitable for growing the sugar cane which covers the majority of the island. On the coast, shaded beaches of white sand border turquoise sea lagoons. Surfers and windsurfers enjoy the waves. The many restaurants and hotels allow visitors to enjoy Creole culinary art. Grande-Terre is also known for its natural sites (Pointe-des-Châteaux, the cliffs of La Grande Vigie, the Grands fonds hills, etc.), Pointe-à-Pitre, the economic capital and its historic monuments, museums, spice markets, intoxicatingly-scented flowers. etc.

Each island in the archipelago - La Désirade, Les Saintes, and the rum island, Marie-Galante - is unique. La Désirade, with its beaches and its pedestrian paths, is a paradise for hikers. On Les Saintes, the splendid bay, with its clear, turquoise water, spectacular sugar bread, sweet houses and peaceful village streets and its the long tradition of fishing practised in small boats known as "saintoises", are enough to make you forget the bloody battle which once saw the French and English fleets fight each other along the coastline. The Napoleon Fort is home to a museum and a surprising exotic garden. Even in the 18th century, Marie-Galante, allegedly the land of the best rums in the world "the island of a hundred windmills" was known for its rum. Its sandy white beaches are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

In addition to Creole cooking and the delicious fruits and vegetables of the Antilles, you should also try the many fish - snapper, tuna, marlin, dogfish - lobster, clams, freshwater crayfish or a large freshwater prawn.