Vieux Fort beach
Vieux Fort Beach - a beach on the small island of Marie Galante. Here is a good rest for lovers of history, peace and quiet. There are no dangerous insects, animals, warm water, the same warm nights. You can see many mills that Napoleon built, a plant that produces excellent rum.
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Beach description
This solitary place stretches from turquoise sea on one side to the nearby road on the other. One of the quietest beaches in the country. Any traveller can find a solitary place only for themselves here.
The water isn't always calm, which is why the pink shoreline sometimes becomes soft and convenient for walking. Vieux Fort Beach is separated from the road by a wall of almond trees, so no traces of civilization make their way here. But be careful, as the highly poisonous manchineel trees grow behind the other nearby trees, and it's dangerous to even walk below them, let alone touch them.
The Vieux Fort village is known for its Textile Arts Center and the elegant embroidery traditions. It's located in a fort built by the first French colonists. Scenic surroundings and the lighthouse - local symbol - are easily seen from its height.
Tourists come here for calm strolls, solitary relaxation on the warm sand and romantic sunsets. Vieux Fort attracts visitors by:
- Full solitude. Not many people come here, and loud activities are absent.
- Sandy beach and tree shadows that protect from the sun.
- Wide shoreline.
- Toilets and showers, sunbeds, umbrellas.
- Underwater swimming (but only if you bring your own equipment).
- A restaurant right at the beach. Local hotels offer camping lunch for those interested. You can buy food in the shops located before the beach and set up a beach picnic.
When is the best time to go?
It is best to go to Guadeloupe from December to May, as the weather at this time is set dry and fresher than in other months. However, it should be borne in mind that in December, during the holidays, many tourists arrive to celebrate Christmas and New Year, which affects prices.
Video: Beach Vieux Fort
Infrastructure
There is no developed infrastructure on the island. Even the settlements called cities more look like a village. Popular for tourists because of the lack of liveliness, peace and quiet. The locals are mainly engaged in agriculture or work on sugarcane plantations.
The island has a length of only about 15 km, but walking around it is a little difficult, the terrain is hilly, what is the reason why it is more convenient to travel long distances not by bicycle, but by a small car or moped (there are plenty of rental points for both). It is advisable to negotiate a rent when you are already in place to be able to choose and bargain.
Regarding accommodation, it is better to book it in advance. With hotel owners, as a rule, there is electronic communication, they quickly respond to requests from potential customers. There are many accommodation variants near Vieux Fort Beach: on the first line, with access to a breeze-covered terrace overlooking the sea, a little further from the sea and closer to shops, markets, and other objects of interest.
Two types of accommodation offers Resort Hotel Fort Royal, 3*. Guests are accommodated in rooms with all amenities, with or without a private balcony. There is a possible variant of accommodation in a bungalow, from which is access to a terrace, from where you can see the sea or the garden. Fort Royal has more than 200 well equipped rooms that provide excellent living conditions for couples, groups, traveling businessmen.
The hotel has partners in organizing deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, bicycle tours, various excursions, water skiing, canyoning for its guests. Here you can use free sun loungers, laundry, rent a car or visit the souvenir boutique. The hotel restaurant provides an international breakfast. Here you can have lunch a la carte or dinner.
Close to the hotel are located many places offering light snacks, Caribbean drinks, cocktails, restaurants with Caribbean, French, Italian cuisine. Those interested in Kajun and Creole dishes should try the fish terrine with local spices, goat cheese salad, baked papaya or homemade lemon pie for dessert.
The local market, where is always a lot of fresh fish, fruits, must be visited early in the morning, it works from 8.00 to 12.00. Close to it are located ATMs, also there are small cafes.
Weather in Vieux Fort
Best hotels of Vieux Fort
All hotels of Vieux FortUseful information
- A ferry goes to Marie Galant from the port of the administrative center of Pointe-à-Pitre. It will take you to Grand Burg in an hour. You need to get to Vieux Fort Beach by car.
- When renting a car, you may encounter a problem when up to 1200 euros are frozen on the card. The amount of the deposit depends on the car class.
- The weather is mostly comfortable, but clouds appear sometimes. It usually rains closer to night, after which it gets cooler.
- The locals speak French only. There will be some difficulties with English.
- The prices for French alcohol are quite reasonable. In souvenir shops, local drinks can be tasted. Caution!
Things to do on the island:
- Take part in water sports, green tourism.
- Visit du Vieux-Fort lighthouse.
- Visit the unique embroidery center.
- Take a trip to nearby: Soufriere volcano, take a sulfur bath at its foot; Carbet Falls; explore the seabed in the Cousteau Reserve.
- Every 4 years, a Atlantic marathon is held, one of the points of which is Vieux Fort.
- Interesting sights are Le Moule, an exotic Saturday market at Basse-Terre.