|Pointe des Châteaux in Guadeloupe, practical guide by a local

saint-françois Guadeloupe

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Mon guide pour explorer la Guadeloupe autrement

J'ai créé ce guide après avoir exploré chaque recoin de l'archipel où je vis. Mes meilleures adresses confidentielles locales, les spots authentiques loin des sentiers battus, et tout ce que les guides classiques ne disent pas.

🎁 Offerts : accès à vie au club membre, Bingo Cards et livret d'adresses confidentielles. Disponible en français — mis à jour régulièrement.

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I've been living in the north of Grande-Terre for about 4 years now, and visit La Pointe des Châteaux quite often, one of the most visited tourist sites in Guadeloupe.

I even trained there to prepare for the marathon of Los Angeles with running sessions of around 22 kilometers to the tip, starting from the center of Saint-François. A beautiful souvenir.

So if you're planning a trip to Pointe des Châteaux, you've come to the right place to prepare for your visit, as I talk about it with a local eye living nearby 😉 I'm also sharing lots of photos I've taken on my frequent visits.

Of course, don't forget to visit the pretty commune of Saint-François, where my maternal family lives, with the help of our guide Take me to Guadeloupe.

pointe-des-chateaux-vol-ulm

Are you looking for a car rental to visit our islands? Go to on this site to find interesting offers at low prices.

Pointe des Châteaux map

Where is La Pointe des Châteaux in Guadeloupe?

site naturel Pointe des Châteaux
Louer une voiture en Guadeloupe meilleur prix Louer une voiture en Guadeloupe meilleur prix

En Guadeloupe, la voiture est indispensable pour explorer l'île comme il se doit. Rentiles regroupe les meilleurs loueurs locaux indépendants — des tarifs imbattables que vous ne trouverez pas ailleurs.

After a long drive, you'll arrive at La Pointe des Châteaux, a protected natural site. It is located the southeastern tip of Grande-Terre, in the commune of Saint-François, Guadeloupe.

As soon as you arrive in Saint-François, you'll see that it's very well signposted. It's impossible to get lost 🙂

How do I get to Pointe des Châteaux in Saint-François?

Point de vue pointe des châteaux

Several options are available to access the Pointe des Châteaux site.

By car : the road is very pleasant to drive. As you approach the headland, the landscape becomes wilder. You'll see sheer cliffs plunging into the turquoise sea.
Running: a wonderful memory! I've already done it several times in preparation for my last marathon in Los Angeles. Protect yourself from the sun.
On the movewatch out for the sun
By bike : one of the most popular routes for cyclists

What can you do at Pointe des Châteaux?

Take an interest in its flora and fauna

pointe des châteaux croix Guadeloupe
bernard-l'hermite Guadeloupe

Put like that, it sounds obvious 😄 but if I really recommend one thing in Guadeloupe, it's to be curious about the diversity of our flora and fauna part of our incredible heritage.

Since I've been living here, I've really developed this interest, as we have so many sites with varied natural environments, like La Pointe des Châteaux.

You'll see steep cliffs, gray mapous, tailed straw birds and many other species of a dry coastal zone.

Admire the views

vue La Désirade depuis Saint-François

The magnificent panoramic views also make this natural site exceptional.

The best view is from the summit.from the 10-metre-high cross: views over part of Grande-Terre and the islands of southern Guadeloupe: Désirade, Petite-Terre, Marie-Galante.

If you like photography, there's no shortage of ideas at Pointe des Châteaux, with its contrasting landscape.

Take a microlight over the beauty of the site

This ultralight flight over La Pointe des Châteaux is one of our fondest memories among the activities in Guadeloupe. Cheap and memorable. Departure is from the Saint-François airfield, which you'll probably pass on the way to Saint-François.

Cool off on nearby beaches

plage près de pointe des chateaux guadeloupe
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Of course, it's not advisable to swim at Anse des Châteaux beach, the one you come across on your way to the summit. The waves are very rough and it's really dangerous.

On the other hand, there are several small beaches all along the road to Pointe des Châteaux. Among my favorites: anse à l'Eau, La Coulée, anse à la Gourde, anse Tarare (caution: naturist beach), La Douche, Les Salines.

Watch the sunrise

Croix Pointe des Châteaux

I recommend this moment if you're brave enough to get up early enough (around 4:30 a.m. for me, but it depends on the season and where you live) to get on the road, then climb the to the summit where the cross is located to watch the sunrise.

I've done it before, and thought it would be sparsely populated, well not at all haha 😁. And yet, it wasn't high season, so don't expect it to be deserted. You have to share the moment.

Hiking

randonnée Pointe des Châteaux

I'll tell you all about it in the next section.

Pointe des Châteaux hike

Here you are in one of the archipelago's exceptional natural sites, also ideal for hiking.

Pointe des Châteaux hike

randonnée saint-françois vers la croix

⏱️ Duration : about 20 minutes per trip

A super-simple trail for young and old alike, starting right from the Pointe des Châteaux parking lot. Your objective? Reaching the summit of the cross along the forest 😄. Just follow the path to the summit.

Once you're up there, you won't be disappointed by the breathtaking view.

Hiking from Anse à la Gourde to Pointe des Châteaux

Plage pointe des châteaux

This trail loop connects Anse à la Gourde to Pointe des Châteaux. Along the way, there's plenty to see and do: Anse Tarare beach, Salines beach, Kreol West Indies, etc.

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Take your swimsuit for a dip in the crystal-clear waters, and don't forget a hat or cap and your water bottle with water.

Anse à la Gourde hike in Baie Olive

⏱️ Duration : approx. 2 hours per trip (not a loop)

This trail starts at the ancient Amerindian village on Anse à la Gourde beach and ends at the Olive Bay chapel. On your way, you can enjoy the sublime view of Pointe à Cabrits from the orientation table and then the chapel.

Consult this document by the Parc national de la Guadeloupe for full information on this trail.

La Douche at Pointe des Châteaux

On the road to Pointe des Châteaux, La Douche lives up to its name. It's a natural basin of white sand facing the sea, with waves crashing against the rocks.

What are the best restaurants in La Pointe des Châteaux?

chez Honoré Guadeloupe

Having tested a number of them in the area, I have to admit that none of the addresses have stood out for me so far, and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to put them down. this is MY OPINION 🙂. It's true thatthere are several tourist trapsas in all the world's tourist areas.

The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to visit our favorite addresses just a few minutes' drive from Pointe des Châteaux, still in Saint-François. It's in our Take me to Guadeloupe guide.

Otherwise, I've already heard positive feedback from these 3 restaurants even if the reviews seem mixed when reading Google Reviews :

La Rhumerie du Pirate The restaurant offers traditional cuisine based on fresh seafood. It is located on the water's edge, with a breathtaking view of the cliffs.
Heading for the ocean The restaurant offers a more modern cuisine, with French and Caribbean influences. It is located on the seafront, with a spacious terrace.
La Langouste Chez Honoré (the photo above): I haven't been back for some time. The latest reviews seem to be more positive than negative. I'll let you make up your own mind.

How to dress for a visit to La Pointe des Châteaux?

Pointe des Châteaux

It is not essential to wear sportswearBut dress casually, and above all with shoes suitable for walking, so avoid heels 😄 Yes, it's déjà vu all over again, even in the rainforest.

Another very important point: Bring a cap or hat to protect you from the sun, and don't forget a bottle of water - I always take my flask when I go. Don't throw anything out, of course.

Parking at La Pointe des Châteaux

There are parking spaces at the end of the road. that leads to the site, but at peak times this becomes quite complicated. So cars park one behind the other along the road. Anyway, when you get there, you'll quickly see how busy it is.

Remember to arrive early in the morning.

Don't forget to lock your car, and don't leave any valuable personal items visible from your car windows, to avoid any temptation to steal.

Do you have any specific questions? If so, don't hesitate to leave us a comment to help you. See you soon around here,

xx

Viviane

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Mon guide pour explorer la Guadeloupe autrement

J'ai créé ce guide après avoir exploré chaque recoin de l'archipel où je vis. Mes meilleures adresses confidentielles locales, les spots authentiques loin des sentiers battus, et tout ce que les guides classiques ne disent pas.

🎁 Offerts : accès à vie au club membre, Bingo Cards et livret d'adresses confidentielles. Disponible en français — mis à jour régulièrement.

Find out more/order
Green walks Guadeloupe, Grande-Terre, My must-sees in Guadeloupe, Beaches Guadeloupe, What to do in Guadeloupe, Saint-François

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