The counterpart to Terre de Haut, Terre de Bas is an enchanting destination located in the department of Guadeloupe. Blessed with natural, tranquil charm, it resists the temptation to embrace mass tourism. This premier French travel destination boasts paradisiacal beaches alongside fascinating natural sites. It offers an authentic getaway where you can enjoy peaceful moments solo, as a couple, with family, or with friends.

Brief Overview of Terre de Bas

Situated just a short distance from Terre de Haut, approximately one hour by boat from Guadeloupe, Terre de Bas is a little-known corner of the Saintes breathing ease of life and authenticity. It forms a municipality with three uninhabited islets: Les Augustins, le Pâté, and la Coche. Like its neighbor Terre de Haut, this commune takes its name from maritime language, which designates "bas" (low) for the leeward land and "haute" (high) for the windward land. It is the westernmost inhabited island of the Saintes archipelago. This is one of the most peaceful places in the Caribbean.

You'll discover two main villages on Terre de Bas. In the eastern part lies Grande-Anse, and in the western part, Petite-Anse, the administrative center. In the southern part stands la Coche and Les Augustins, which house the Virgin's Rock serving as a landmark for ships entering and leaving Saintes Bay from the south. To the north, you'll find le Pâté, which attracts water sports enthusiasts with its spectacular dive site.

What to Do and See at Terre de Bas?

Escape to Splendid Beaches

It's impossible to spend a vacation on Terre de Bas without venturing onto its pristine beaches. For this, Grande Anse Beach is the main destination. This beach takes its name from the town of the same name, located about a 10-minute walk from the landing dock. Stretching approximately 1km, this enchanting beach delights water sports enthusiasts, including kitesurfers, with its crystal-clear waters and golden sand. You can also visit Grande Baie Beach, which is ideal for snorkeling and observing marine life. For those seeking a moment of relaxation in a traditional shelter beneath coconut palms, Anse à Dos Beach is an excellent choice. The beachfront also captivates with its expanse of brown sand.

Discover Green Tourism

To discover Terre de Bas's biodiversity, a walk through the interior of the territory is recommended. You'll discover forests of bay-rum trees, mapous, and gumbo-limbos, allowing you to observe pristine tropical flora and fauna. It's a treat to spot iguanas, kyos, molokoi turtles, and water hens.

Explore the Fer-à-Cheval Battery

During a stay on Terre de Bas, you'll be invited to discover a long-abandoned historic monument: the Fer-à-Cheval Military Battery, located at the eastern tip of Anse des Mûriers, the locality's historic port. Inaugurated in 2019, this site was restored with technical support from the Coastal Conservancy. It was part of the defensive line that protected the archipelago and monitored the arrival of enemies, particularly the English from Dominica. You can admire a bronze cannon, a vestige of the battery. Overlooking the port entrance, the location offers panoramic views of the bay.

Visit Fidelin Pottery

Founded in 1760, the former pottery or Grande Baie factory is worth visiting during a tour of the Saintes. During the sugar crisis of 1815, a plantation disappeared, and this establishment was among them. It's an industrial monument representing one of the last vestiges of the region's pottery and sugar activities, which flourished in the 17th and 19th centuries. The industry manufactured sugar forms and molasses pots. When visiting the current site, you can still see remnants of the workshop, including cisterns, ovens, the master's house, the animal-powered mill, and much more.

Watch Salako Being Made

During a pleasant stroll through the village of Terre de Bas, don't miss observing the making of salako upon request with local artisans. It's a traditional straw hat that serves as an emblem of this idyllic corner of the world. In Petite-Anse, the salako is still crafted by hand in the traditional manner.

Take on Hiking Trails

If you want to explore Terre de Bas through hiking, a wide range of trails awaits you. You can walk the cliff trail (3 hours, elevation gain 240m, moderate difficulty), the trail above the Pond (1 hour, elevation gain 240m, moderate difficulty), the trail below the Pond (45 minutes, elevation gain 240m, moderate difficulty), and the Morne trail (45 minutes, elevation gain 180m, moderate difficulty).

To reach Terre de Bas, you must take a boat. You depart from Trois-Rivières aboard a vessel operated by the CTM Deher maritime company. It takes you to Terre de Bas for approximately €22 round-trip for an adult and €15 for a child. Boats operate daily, twice daily—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.