• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Complete Guide to Saint-François: Guadeloupe’s Sleepy Coastal Town

Last Updated: July 25, 2022 · Guadeloupe

Of all the towns lining the coast on Grande-Terre, Saint François tops the cake for being the calmest and most charming; uncrowded white sand beaches compete with those of Sainte Anne further south, catamarans float in and out of the breezy marina, and hikers make the trek out to the jagged peninsula of Pointe des Châteaux.

A visit to Saint François is a must if you prefer small yet active destinations where tourism mixes with local life.

At first, it might not seem like the town offers much; however, you’ll quickly discover there’s much more to Saint Francois (and this side of Guadeloupe) than meets the eye.

So, why should you travel up the coast of Grande-Terre to Saint François?

Read more below to find out all there is to do and see in Saint Francois, Guadeloupe, and beyond.

Table of Contents show
Best Things to Do in Saint François
1. Hike to Pointe des Châteaux at Sunrise
2. Visit the Family-Owned Gwadinina Rum Distillery
3. Relax on the Ghostly Raisins Clairs Beach
4. Scuba Dive from Saint François
5. Take a Windsurfing Lesson
6. Stroll/Eat on the Saint François Marina
7. Road Trip the Northeastern Coast
8. Day Trip to Nearby Islets (La Désirade, Petite Terre, Marie Galante)
9. Tour the Musée des Beaux Arts (Fine Arts)
10. Stroll Around the Town

Best Things to Do in Saint François

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Practical Tips:

🚗 Make sure to rent a car to visit Saint-François and beyond!

🏡 Book your perfect place to stay on Booking.com

🍴 Reserve restaurants in advance because they fill up fast!

Top-rated places to stay in Saint-François:

  • Domaine Saint François — Rustic-chic bungalows lovingly furnished with natural touches, an outdoor pool, and hammock swings.
  • Aqua Lodge — Why not make your stay memorable with a floating house set on the tranquil lagoon of Saint François? So cute and ideal for paddleboarding, snorkeling, and kayaking straight off your little boat home.
  • La Gîte Pointe des Châteaux — Super cute and well-equipped tiny homes with ideal location/proximity to the Pointe des Chateaux and Anse du Gourd.

1. Hike to Pointe des Châteaux at Sunrise

girl sitting on cliff overlooking Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Atlantic Ocean
Southeastern rocky peninsula in Guadeloupe -- Pointe des Chateaux

La Pointe des Châteaux is an incredible place to witness with your own eyes. Why all the hype, exactly?

In short, you drive out to the tip of the peninsula on Grande Terre, hike 10–20 minutes up to the giant cross on the hill overlooking the Atlantic, and get incredible panoramic views on Grande Terre, the coastline, and the surrounding islands of La Désirade, Petite Terre, and even Marie-Galante and Basse Terre in the distance.

sunrise over the Pointe des Chateaux craggy peninsula in Guadeloupe
Pointe des Châteaux

The atmosphere at Pointe des Châteaux is unlike anything you’ll find on the lush and tropical sister island of Basse Terre. Here, at the southeastern tip of Grande-Terre, vegetation is shrubby and dry with gusts of wind powerful enough to knock you off your feet.

It’s wild, turbulent, and one of the best places in Guadeloupe to see the sunrise. You can read more about hikes and surrounding beaches in my guide to Pointe des Châteaux.

2. Visit the Family-Owned Gwadinina Rum Distillery

Barrels of rum at Gwadinina Distillery near Saint Francois Guadeloupe
woman giving rum tasting tour in Guadeloupe
Creole woman holding bottle of artisanal rum made in Guadeloupe

Touring the family-owned Gwadinina Rum Distillery is a must-do when visiting Saint François. It’s conveniently located just 10–15 minutes north of Saint François, en route to Le Moule, and makes for an easy morning or afternoon day trip.

🍹 As you may know, Guadeloupe is famous for its rum and ti-punch! That said, visiting a rum distillery while in Guadeloupe goes hand-in-hand (even if you don’t like drinking it—like me lol).

Inside the Gwadinina Distillery rum store in Guadeloupe
Inside the Gwadinina Distillery rum shop

However, instead of touring a large rum factory on your vacation, Gwadinina offers an intimate and first-hand look into the behind-the-scenes of artisanal rum making.

The family-owned distillery is the only of its kind. You can learn all about the process—from start to finish—with a tour of the facility for €5/pp. You can also taste their award-winning rum (white/blanc, aged/vieux, etc) for an additional €5.

Tip: Reserve your tour time in advance. The best time to go is during the weekdays/weekends before noon.

3. Relax on the Ghostly Raisins Clairs Beach

Raisins Clairs beach in Saint Francois Guadeloupe

Saint François has several idyllic beaches, one of which is the Plage des Raisins Clairs. But little do people know when they visit this beach is that they’re standing on hundreds of graves.

Uhh, what now?

About ten years ago, locals discovered human bones on the Raisins Clairs beach. Apparently, due to progressive coastal erosion, the beach began to unearth countless human bones resting underneath beach-goers’ feet. Turns out, the bones are from a buried cemetery underneath the sand, with an estimated 500 tombs.

Raisins Clairs beach in Saint Francois Guadeloupe

Today, a simple sign warns tourists not to cross the metal barrier, so as to avoid further erosion of the fragile coastline. Whether unknowingly or not, hundreds of locals and tourists still frequent this beach to enjoy a relaxing day out with family under the shady palms and grape trees.

If you’re still keen on visiting, and maybe sticking your toes in the sand, a beachfront restaurant, plus several food trucks selling bokets and coconut ice cream are up for grabs right off the parking lot (parking is free, by the way).

4. Scuba Dive from Saint François

diving gear from Noa Plongee dive shop in Saint Francois Guadeloupe
dive boat driving to dive spot in Guadeloupe

From the dive spots off Les Saintes Islands to the colorful Jacques Cousteau Reserve, there are plenty of places to go scuba diving in Guadeloupe.

If you are based out of Saint François, you’ll have plenty of additional options for diving. There are at least three dive shops to choose from, each located around the marina in town. And while each offers discovery dives and courses (formations) the only club that offers double dives (called bi-plongées) is NOA Plongée (€95).

🤿 Diving out of Saint François isn’t like the other, calmer dive spots in Guadeloupe. At least not in my experience. Since Saint Francois bears the brunt of the Atlantic waves and wind, the waters can be awfully choppy and powerful. So, if you’re not a fan of boats, are a beginner diver, and/or get seasick easily, I’d recommend you wait to go diving until you can go in calmer Caribbean waters (like in the Jacques Cousteau Reserve).

Woman's fins and legs while snorkeling at Coral Garden snorkeling site on Pigeon Islands Guadeloupe
coral sponges in jacques cousteau marine park

Other than that, there are at least 15–20 dive sites around Saint Francois, stretching from just off the marina all the way up to Pointe des Chateaux and even beyond to La Désirade and Petite Terre. As is the case elsewhere in Guadeloupe, you can also try night diving.

5. Take a Windsurfing Lesson

wind surfer in the Saint Francois lagoon in Guadeloupe
palm tree and kite from kite surfer
wind surfer in the Saint Francois lagoon in Guadeloupe
Windsurfer in the Saint-François Lagoon

Windsurfing is an extremely popular thing to do in Saint-Francois. You’ll see windsurfers and kite surfers out in the lagoon off the marina every day!

To book a lesson, check out either one of these surf schools: Surf Excellence or Bluesoley Guadeloupe.

6. Stroll/Eat on the Saint François Marina

Saint Francois Marina in Guadeloupe
bag of coffee from Cafe Corail in saint francois guadeloupe
restaurants on the saint francois marina in guadeloupe

The marina is the heart of Saint François. There are so many wonderful places to eat and grab a drink, but I’ll name just a few of my favorite ones here!

  • Café Corail — best healthy, organic brunch with awesome juices (vegan/vegetarian-friendly)
  • Restaurant Karibu — an upscale and popular place for Canadian-style breakfast and brunch
  • La Petite Crêperie / Krem Island — budget-friendly snack bar with drink + crêpe + dessert deals!

Make sure to reserve in advance for anywhere you want to eat in Saint-François.

7. Road Trip the Northeastern Coast

Car window and view of coast on a road trip in Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe
woman sitting on edge of rock at Porte d'Enfer trail in Guadeloupe

If you’re based in Saint-Francois, then you’re just a road trip away from stunning cliffside views and hikes. The eastern coast of Grande-Terre is so beautiful and dramatic!

Hop in your rental car and take a drive up to Le Moule. On your way, you’ll pass by the Gwadinina Distillery and fields of old windmills and sugar cane.

Run down traditional creole windmill in Guadeloupe
The Hotel de Ville colorful building in Le Moule Guadeloupe

Take a break and hike the short and easy version of the Porte d’Enfer Lagoon trail before hopping back in your car and making your way up to the northernmost point of Guadeloupe at Pointe de la Grande Vigie.

With more time, you can do a whole circle of North Grande-Terre, passing through Anse-Bertrand, Port-Louis, and back.

8. Day Trip to Nearby Islets (La Désirade, Petite Terre, Marie Galante)

yachts in the saint francois marina in guadeloupe
lagoon with yacts in saint francois

If you have a week or more in Saint-François, one of the best things to do is book a catamaran boat tour to take you to the nearby islands of La Désirade or Petite Terre.

Since there is the marina and large ferry port at Saint-Francois, you can also take the ferry to Marie-Galante for a day trip (though, I’d recommend staying on the island for at least 2-3 days since it’s much larger/developed than Petite Terre or La Désirade).

Both islets are worth the trip, but if you get seasick easily, doing both might drain your energy!

9. Tour the Musée des Beaux Arts (Fine Arts)

Saint-François also boasts the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which you can’t miss if you’re strolling around the Marina. It’s the first museum of fine arts created in all of Guadeloupe (2017) and features over 150 paintings, sculptures, and drawings from the 16th century–present by artists who are from, lived or trained in Guadeloupe.

10. Stroll Around the Town

church and plaza in Saint-François Guadeloupe

If you have a free day to spare, a stroll around Saint-François is a leisurely thing to do.

Its church and plaza are cute and quiet places to visit. For more upbeat tempo, head to the fresh fish market! Just walking around and getting lost in the streets is one way to get familiar with the area and get glimpses of local life.

As you’ll see, Saint-François definitely oozes a much calmer and tranquil vibe than some of the other towns perched along the coast in Grande-Terre! We ended up spending more time here than planned, and loved it!

If you have any questions about this town or what to do around, drop a comment below.

Also Read:

  • 1 Day Itinerary: Les Saintes Islands, Guadeloupe
  • Les Chutes du Carbet Waterfalls
  • The Ultimate Guide to Bouillante (Basse-Terre)

Save this to your Caribbean Pinterest board!

By: Bri · In: Guadeloupe

you’ll also love

woman hiking the Porte d'Enfer trail in Grand Terre, GuadeloupeHiking the Porte d’Enfer (Hell’s Gate) on Grande-Terre
Woman in yellow bikini overlooking Caribbean ocean on Grande-Terre island in GuadeloupeTop 10 Things to Do on Grande-Terre Island
Malendure Beach in Bouillante, Guadeloupe lined with palm trees and lush mountains of Guadeloupe National ParkThe Perfect Guide to Bouillante — Hot Springs, Beaches, & Diving

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

The Perfect Guide to Bouillante — Hot Springs, Beaches, & Diving

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

Digital nomad couple hiking together in Oregon.

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Digital Nomads

bicycles parked in tulum town at matcha mama

Biking in Tulum, Mexico: The Ultimate Guide

Mayan deity figure celebrated by locals in Santiago Atitlan Guatemala

Discovering the Traditional Maya Town of Santiago Atitlán

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • Blog Course
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

30 shares