Pointe des Châteaux

All round view - Saint-François

This amazing scalloped limestone peninsula extending east from Grande-Terre Island is over six kilometers long and 500 to 900 meters wide. It begins at Anse Loquet to the south and Baie Sainte-Marie to the north, and ends at Anse des Châteaux cove at its easternmost point. Pointe des Châteaux proper, dominated by a majestic cross, features Pointe Colibris (“Hummingbird Point”), Anse des Châteaux (“Castle Cove”), Petite Saline Hill, and Pointe La Chaise (elevation 43 meters). The shoreline is characterized by low cliffs, with tropical algal or coral reefs, and beaches made up of mineral sand or fragments of volcanic rock. The ground is essentially limestone. The Les Salines salt marshes, a combination of sea and swamp protected by a coral reef, constitute a unique ecosystem whose colors are stunning, particularly in late morning. From the cross, there is a magnificent view. The “Grand Site” operation, launched by the Ministry of the Ecology and Sustainable Development, aims at preserving the area’s exceptional natural, historic, agricultural, and architectural heritage. Two hundred and thirty plant species have been recorded here, along with dozens of migratory and nesting bird species. Hikers enjoy over 10 kilometers of trails, from Pointe à Cabrits (which has a viewpoint indicator), Anse à la Gourde, Anse Tarare, Les Salines, and Morne Pavillon (which leads to the cross). At nearly 500,000 visitors a year, Pointe des Châteaux is one of the most visited sites in Guadeloupe.