Monts Caraïbes

11 points of interest

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  Flora

  Tabebuia heterophylla

  Tabebuya heterophylla, also known as the pink trumpet tree, can be identified by its beautiful pink-coloured flowers with yellow middle that dot the ground. It is very resistant to the wind. Its wood is used as timber or in carpentry. It is also often put to good use to make the saintois canoe.

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  Flora

  West Indian bay tree

  The West Indian bay tree (Pimenta racemosa) is native to the West Indies. Its trunk has green-orange shades. It has fragrant leaves that smell of anis, cloves or lemon depending on where it grows.

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  Agricultural landscape

  La Ravine Déjeuner

  The Déjeuner Ravine testifies to signs of an ancient human presence. Palms were used to locate inhabited or cultivated sites in the forest from far away, including cacao, banana or bread trees. There are also vanilla creepers, which live in the undergrowth and thrive on shade
  (see the video link for the "natural areas" magazine which explains how vanilla is grown).

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  Viewpoint

  La Pointe de Grande Anse

  Opening onto Pointe de Grande Anse à Trois-Rivières.

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  Flora

  Bamboo

  A member of the Poaceae family, bamboo is more closely related to grasses than to trees. Made up of a woody, hollow stalk, its stem grows extremely quickly. It is both a highly resistant and invasive species in Guadeloupe and concerted efforts are being made to put it to best use in crafts and construction.

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  Flora

  Clusia mangle

  Clusia mangle is a member of the Clusiaceae family. It is endemic to the Lesser Antilles, where it is found above 800 metres above sea level, where winds are often fierce and humidity is constant. It is a shrub with leathery, fleshy and shiny leaves. Its fruits, which are between 1-2 centimetres, are similar to big yellow/green olives.

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  Viewpoint

  Views of Vent Soufflé

  The summit of Vent Soufflé offers the perfect vantage point through les Saintes for La Soufrière up to the beach of Grande Anse de Trois-Rivières.

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  Flora

  Saint-Jean creeper

  With their purple clusters, the Saint-Jean creeper, also known by French names such as "country lilac" and "coarse creeper", adds a rare splash of colour to this dry area. They are noticeable for their violet flowers on the ground.

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  Flora

  Tithonia diversifolia

  A member of the Asteraceae family, Tithonia diversifolia is a flowering plant that produces a yellow, daisy-like flower. It was used to aid the dishwashing process. Its creeping leaves, mixed with sand, were highly effective in doing so.

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  Viewpoint

  Viewpoint of les Saintes

  A small opening in the vegetation allows for a splendid view of the two main islands of Les Saintes.

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  Fauna

  Guadeloupe woodpecker

  The only endemic bird species to the country, the Guadeloupe woodpecker measures 26-28 cm. Its beak is long and slender and, in the male, is longer than the head, unlike in females. It is adorned with black plumage, has a blood-red throat and belly and blue/black back. It can be seen quite frequently on tree trunks, which it hammers into with its powerful beak (hence its Creole name of "Toto bwa"). It moves over short distances in rippling, gliding movements. The Guadeloupe woodpecker is included on the list of endangered species.