Anse à la Gourde connects the beach and hiking trail in a tangible way: the Pointe des Châteaux coastal hike starts and ends here. In Saint-François, you’ll also find art at the Musée des Beaux-Arts and an open-air market near the marina. This gives you a view of the area that spans nature and outdoor activities, as well as artworks and products from everyday local life.

Anse à la Gourde: Beach and Hiking Trail

Anse à la Gourde has white sand and turquoise water protected by a coral reef. At the beach, you can picnic, swim, sail small boats and paddleboard. The beach combines a distinctive natural feature with several ways to enjoy the water: picnicking and swimming are part of a day at the beach, while sailing small boats and paddleboarding take you onto the water. Water and beach conditions can vary seasonally.

The easy Pointe des Châteaux coastal hike is 10.9 kilometers long and starts and ends at this beach. Its distance makes it a standalone activity rather than a short detour from the shore. Trail conditions can change; check them before setting out.

Two Distinct Coastal Routes

Another coastal route from Saint-François runs from an archaeological site to the Chapelle de la Baie Olive, passing the wind turbines on the east coast. By comparison, the Pointe des Châteaux hike is a loop with a fixed start and finish, while the second route is marked out by its stops. The route format offers a practical point of difference when choosing: returning to your starting point or following a route with several named stops.

Art Connected to Guadeloupe

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Saint-François displays 150 paintings, drawings and sculptures in seven rooms. Its overview of visual art spans the 16th century to the present day, focusing on artists born in Guadeloupe or working or having worked there. The collection thus combines a broad sweep of time with a regional connection. Artists’ connection to Guadeloupe comes in two distinct forms: they were born there or worked on the island. Unlike the beach and coastal trails, the focus here is on art itself; the historical overview also makes the subject interesting to readers who want to see art in its historical context.

Open-Air Market Near the Marina

The Marché de Saint-François is an open-air market near the marina. Its offerings include tropical fruit, local vegetables, spices, homemade jams, flavored rum, fresh fish and local handicrafts. Food, processed products and crafts come together here, setting the market apart from the Musée des Beaux-Arts, where paintings, drawings and sculptures provide the cultural focus.

Getting Around by Bus

Bus route SF1 connects the Saint-François bus station and town center with La Coulée and Pointe des Châteaux. Bus routes can change; check current service information if you’re planning to travel by bus.

Discover more destinations: Saint-François, Les Abymes.

Go to the main travel overview: Pointe-A-Pitre.