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Bucketlist Bri

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

Last Updated: January 26, 2022 · Guadeloupe

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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.

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)

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By: Bri · In: Guadeloupe

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National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious case of nostalgia for our 2-week Southwest USA road trip! 🏜

The NP’s we visited on this trip:

📍Arches National Park
📍Canyonlands National Park
📍Zion National Park
📍Bryce Canyon National Park
📍Grand Canyon National Park (North & South Rims)
📍Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

+ Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock State Park, & Monument Valley Navajo Park!

Head to my blog bucketlistbri.com for the full 2-week itinerary plus detailed guides & itineraries to each NP!*

*except for BCotG

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I saw her giggling and chatting with a friend from across the street and, despite my shyness, waltzed over to ask if I could take her photo. 

She was simply radiating sitting there; an amateur portrait photographer's dream. Except I don't even own a portrait lens and this was only the second time ever in my life that I whisked up the courage to ask for something that feels so... intimate. 

But without hesitation, she gazed into my lens and pierced my heart. It was like being drawn to a joyous light that I just couldn't resist. So I dared to ask. 

As soon as she said yes, I hurriedly clicked a few shots; rushing so as to not waste her time. After showing her portraits to her, she gave me a big nod and said softly, "de Santa Catarina Palopó" with immense pride.

I think her sweet smile & kind eyes speak for themselves... ✨ 

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10 years together 💛😱 It’s not our annive 10 years together 💛😱 

It’s not our anniversary (it was technically last month, depending on who you ask) and we're not even celebrating Valentine's Day today, but...

I just wanted to remind the internet that I have a pretty badass partner (& not to mention the best cat dad) who puts up with both my silly madness and my need to live around the world in pursuit of adventure. 

If I have any advice for love and long-term relationships, it's this:

Keep choosing each other;
again, and again, and again,
over everything else, no matter what you go through. 

❤️❤️❤️

Can you guess which one of us first "friend-requested" the other all those years ago? 😉

#internationalcouple #ourlove #travelcouplegoals #10yearstogether #digitalnomadcouple #adventuretogether
On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. I am On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. 

I am the granddaughter of a guiding light, a woman so lovely and gentle and spiritual and strong that she attracted to her all walks of life. 

I was the butterfly enamored by her glow. The ship lost at sea that found safety at her shores. 

On every adventure, I’ll think of you. On every adventure, you’ll be with me. 

🦋 ✨
Add this hike to your Caribbean bucket list! ☀️ 

Guadeloupe is rich in breathtaking, diverse landscapes — La Pointe des Châteaux is no exception! Magnificent rocky pillars jut out of the ocean & create a magnificent view that’s best experienced at sunrise from atop Morne Pavillon, the hill marked by the large cross on its summit.

TIPS FOR VISITING:

🚗 Like everywhere in Gwada, you'll need a rental! Parking is free.
☀️ Sunrise and sunset are around 6am and 6pm
🥾 The hike itself only takes 15-20 minutes and is easy!
🦀 Watch for wildlife and other critters (this is a protected heritage site!)
🌊 Plenty of beaches are nearby, including a nude beach and a private beach with cool wave splashing action called "La Douche" (meaning shower 🚿) 

Read more about this epic spot + other must-see places in Guadeloupe on the blog @bucketlistbri 🌴

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✍️ 2022 is going to be the year I become a published author. 

💛  It's the year I celebrate 10 years of love & adventure with my best friend. 

💻  It's the year I register my LLC and level up my business. 

🌎  It's the year I hit my bucket list of "slow living in 10 countries" as a nomad and the year I travel and discover even more destinations. 

And some folks will think (do think), "overnight success." But the reality is (as my sweet friend @redwhiteadventures reminded me), it's been about putting one foot in front of the other -- just like on a hike up a mountain (or in this case, to the cliffsides overlooking the Caribbean and Atlantic!). 

2022 is going to be the view from the top!! (Sure, I may get there, and see another summit I want to climb. But I'm so ready for the challenge(s), the journey, & the adventure!) ⛰ 

What are you excited about in 2022?! 

📍Hell's Gate / Porte d'Enfer, Guadeloupe (click the link in my bio to read about this hike!)
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