At the eastern tip of Grande-Terre, Pointe des Châteaux is a rocky peninsula battered by winds and the Atlantic, a spectacular extension of the municipality of Saint-François. The site owes its name to the silhouette of its cliffs sculpted by erosion, which evoke ruined keeps. A monumental cross overlooks the point and offers, on clear days, a panorama of five islands in the Guadeloupe archipelago.

Why visit Pointe des Châteaux?

The site combines three rarely unified features on a single headland: a raw geological landscape where the sea has carved limestone for millennia, several swimming beaches with very different profiles (family-friendly, wild, sheltered), and a 360° viewpoint over the Caribbean arc. Expect around 500,000 visitors per year, making it one of Guadeloupe's most visited natural sites—with no entrance fee or major infrastructure.

History of the site

The earliest traces of human settlement date back to the Arawak tribes, established in the area around 300 AD. Excavations at Anse à la Gourde uncovered remains attesting to Amerindian presence for about a century, lasting until around 1400.

In 1683, the Capuchin religious community established a parish on the peninsula. The site's name is believed to come from this settlement, through contraction and popular distortion over the centuries.

The first hilltop cross was erected around 1951 on the rocky mound called Pointe des Colibris. It has since been replaced by the current 10-meter-high cross, weighing 9 tons, which has become the iconic visual landmark of the cape.

What to see and do

The hike to the cross

From the parking area, a marked trail of 2 km runs along Anse des Châteaux then branches toward Morne Pavillon. The final ascent to the summit takes about 15 minutes and presents a short but steady climb. At the foot of the cross, the panorama opens onto Marie-Galante to the south, La Désirade and Petite Terre to the east, Les Saintes and Basse-Terre to the west. In spring, humpback whales are regularly sighted offshore.

The beaches of the peninsula

• Plage des Salines: shallow waters, a good option for swimming.
• Plage de l'Anse à l'eau: on the northwest-facing shore, more sheltered from prevailing winds.
• Anse de la Gourde: family beach with small natural pools suitable for young children.
• Anse des Châteaux and Anse à la Baie: swimming is prohibited due to dangerous currents and swells; to be enjoyed from the trail only.

Dining on-site

Several establishments line the approach to the site, notably Iguane Café (gourmet cuisine with international menu), Colombo (Indian-inspired, lobster specialties) and Délices des Mers, a seaside table focused on grilled fish and Creole cuisine (accras, colombo, fricassées).

Practical information

• Parking: large free parking lot at the end of the road, full mid-day and in high season; go early morning or late afternoon.
• Swimming safety: strictly observe posted prohibitions (Anse des Châteaux, Anse à la Baie). The site is not monitored.
• Equipment: closed-toe shoes for the rocky trail, water, hat, sunscreen—there is virtually no shade on Morne Pavillon.
• Visit duration: allow 2 to 3 hours to combine hiking, viewpoint and swimming.

When to go?

The dry season, from December to April, offers the best conditions: clear skies, maximum visibility of neighboring islands and humpback whale migration in spring. The wet season (June to November) remains accessible but the cape is more exposed to showers and sustained winds. To limit crowds, avoid weekends and mid-day time slots.

How to get there

Pointe des Châteaux is located 11 km east of Saint-François and about 45 km from Pointe-à-Pitre. Access is by car only, via Departmental Road D118 which extends from the center of Saint-François to the terminal parking lot. No regular public transport serves the point.

Nearby attractions

• The Usine Factory, a former sugar industrial site transformed into a visitor site.
• The Petite Anse beach, to extend your beach experience.
• The Pain de Sucre, an iconic rock formation of Les Saintes, visible from the point.
• The Pompierre beach, another renowned swimming spot in the archipelago.

FAQ

Plan your trip

Pointe des Châteaux fits naturally into a circuit around Grande-Terre, between eastern beaches, fishing villages and excursions to the southern islands. To build a complete itinerary, consult our Guadeloupe travel suggestions.