Anse Couleuvre represents two sides of Le Prêcheur: the cove is one of the municipality’s black-sand coves and also the starting point of the Sentier de la cascade Couleuvre. If you are looking for accommodation in Le Prêcheur, you can start by shaping your plans around the hikes and landscapes you want to define your stay. Along with forest and waterfalls, the area’s attractions include coastal coves and traces of history.

Hikes to waterfalls and through the forest

The Sentier de la cascade Couleuvre leads upstream from Anse Couleuvre along the river of the same name. The trail passes through tropical forest with kapok trees, cacao trees, vines and large roots; lizards are also part of the wildlife described. After several river crossings, you reach Cascade Couleuvre. It is about twenty metres high and is one of the island’s tallest waterfalls, but carries little water. This is not a loop hike: you return along the same trail. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

The Prêcheur–Grand-Rivière trail connects Le Prêcheur with the municipality of Grand-Rivière; a six-hour hike leads to waterfalls on the Rivière Trois Bras. The trail follows a former departmental road that once connected the settlements of Le Prêcheur and Grand-Rivière by ox cart. The hike is described as taking six hours; your pace and conditions affect the actual duration. The landscape also changes along the way: dry forest near Anse Couleuvre and Cap Saint-Martin gives way to humid forest around Rivière Trois Bras and Fond Moulin, where palmiste and Bois Rivière trees grow. The route also passes wild coves on the Caribbean coast and waterfalls at the foot of Montagne Pelée, including those on the Rivière Trois Bras.

Le Prêcheur is also a starting point for other hikes, including the Chemin des Anses, the route to Montagne Pelée via Grande Savane, and the hike to Rivière Trois Bras. When choosing a route, consider its description and check current conditions before setting out.

Black-sand coves and traces of history

Le Prêcheur’s black-sand coves include Anse des Galets, Anse la Celle and Anse Couleuvre. The coves contain the ruins of forts or former sugar plantations. Anse Couleuvre also connects this stretch of coast with the starting point of the hike to Cascade Couleuvre.

The church of Le Prêcheur also has a distinctive historic feature: its square 17th-century bell tower stands apart from the church. Three bells in Le Prêcheur were donated by Madame de Maintenon. Together with the ruins in the coves, these architectural and historical landmarks give the area a cultural point of interest alongside its hiking trails.

Le Prêcheur is particularly suited to travel plans that balance forest hikes, waterfalls, coastal scenery and historical sites. The hikes differ in their routes and landscapes: the trail to Cascade Couleuvre follows the river upstream and returns along the same path, while Prêcheur–Grand-Rivière connects Le Prêcheur with the municipality of Grand-Rivière. When choosing your accommodation and planning your schedule, it is helpful to compare these differences with your excursion plans in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Pierre, Case-Pilote, Le Carbet, Bellefontaine, Fonds-Saint-Denis.

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