Galion / Armistice circuit

17 points of interest

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  Flora

  Shortleaf fig

  The shortleaf fig tree (Ficus citrifolia) is a member of the Moraceae family. It is quite a unique tree: as an epiphyte, it has the ability to grow on competing trees. Its aerial roots develop by dropping downwards and then branching out as the tree grows. It can strangle competing trees and kill them.
  The shortleaf fig can grow both on the ground and on buildings.

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  Flora

  Acomat boucan

  The Acomat boucan (Sloanea caribaea) belongs to the Elaeocarpaceae family. It is an extremely large tree that can grow up to 40 metres tall. It is the most spectacular tree in the Sloanea genus. It has an exposed trunk and magnificent buttresses, with reddish-brown bark that starts to peel off into thin strips when the tree starts to age.
  Formerly, visitors to the forest would make use of its enormous buttresses to shelter their fires and to smoke meat. It has since been established that lighting fires among the roots is not conducive to the well-being of trees.

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  Area of relaxation

  Les Bains Jaunes

  Set amid the forest of the same name, the site of Les Bains Jaunes has long been a popular destination. The first dwellings here were the ajoupa of the Igneri people, followed by mouina of the Carib Indians.
  Many years later, it became an important stopping-off point on the road to La Soufrière. In the late nineteenth century, the soldiers from Saint-Claude built a convalescent home and shooting range. Around 1910, the famous Mountaineers Club erected a makeshift shelter and later, in 1947, the Renaissance association built their own shelter, designed for hikers and swimmers. That building was later to become the Maison du Volcan, which has since closed. It is thanks to the soldiers of the Marine Infantry, who were sent to Bains Jaunes in order to "acclimatise themselves", that a stone lagoon - still in place today - was built in 1887.

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  History

  Le Pas du Roy

  "Lest we forget that we owe the current path of Le Pas du Roy to the battalion commander, Mr. Legot. He replaced the old path that was originally mapped out by Mr. Rollin in January 1885 to guide the Count and Countess of Bardy to La Soufrière." Gérard Werter, "Coureur des Bois".

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  Fauna

  The frogs of Guadeloupe

  There are two endemic species of frog in Basse-Terre: Hylode de Barlagne (Eleutherodactylus barlagnei) and Hylode de Pinchon (Eleutherodactylus pinchoni), and if you listen carefully you might just hear them ribbiting at Pas du Roy. Both species are dark in colour and measure 2-3 centimetres in length. But, the most common species in Guadeloupe is the Martinique Robber Frog (Eleutherodactylus martinicencis).

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  Flora

  Chewstick tree

  Symphonia globulifera, also commonly known as the chewstick tree, belongs to the Clusiaceae family. The tree grows in thick, humid and swampy forests. Reaching up to 25-30 metres in height, it has stilt roots and a yellow latex trunk. Its flowers are formed of bright red petals, while its fruits resemble nutmeg, are oval in shape and yellow when ripe. It wood was one used as timber for houses and resin for boats.

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  Viewpoint

  Viewpoint of La Soufrière

  Viewpoint of La Soufrière, amid the treetops.

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  River and waterfall

  La Chute du Galion

  Carved into the lava of the volcano, La Chute du Galion waterfall gushes forth from a height of 40 metres. The water at the source of the Galion is heated by the volcano, whose sulphur deposits account for its orange colour, but returns to a normal temperature by the time it reaches the bottom.

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  History

  La Trace de l'Armistice

  This trail was named by walkers from the Mountaineers Club. The club tried it out for the first time on Armistice Day (11 November 1953), which commemorates the end of the First World War in 1918.

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  Flora

  The Yucca Plum Pine

  Podocarpus coriaceus is also commonly known as the Yucca Plum Pine. It is a member of the Podocarpaceae family. Closely related to conifers, it is an average-sized tree, measuring around 10-16 metres. Its leaves – dark green on top – have a leathery quality that is reminiscent of the common oleander. They have a span of 6-15 cm with no discernible stalk. While its flowers are discreet, its brown-coloured seeds in their red floral buds are particularly eye-catching. It has a thin layer of bark. This species is found throughout the West Indies and flowers mainly in December and January.

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  Viewpoint

  Viewpoint of La Chute du Galion

  A gap in the vegetation provides stunning views of La Chute du Galion waterfall.

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  Flora

  Clusia mangle

  The Clusia mangle is endemic to Guadeloupe. It thrives at 800 metres above sea level where winds are strong and humidity is constant. It is a shrub with leathery, fleshy and shiny leaves. Its fruits resemble large, yellow olives.

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  Viewpoint

  Débouché de l'Armistice

  A viewpoint towards La Soufrière and Le Nez Cassé where the high forest opens out, before reaching the summit of La Citerne.

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  Viewpoint

  Viewpoint of Le Grand Etang

  Looking south-east down towards Le Grand Etang, crossing the relay antennas towards the high voltage line.

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  Flora

  Charianthus alpinus

  From the Melastomataceae family, Charianthus alpinus, commonly known in French as mountain fuchsia, is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. It measures between 1-2 metres in height. Its leaves are made up of five base veins and of particular interest are the fuchsia flowers, which attract hummingbirds.

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  Viewpoint

  Viewpoint of La Soufrière

  From the old car park of Savane à Mulets, views of La Soufrière to the north and, on a clear day, of Les Saintes to the south.

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  Viewpoint

  Views of Baillif

  Views of Baillif to the west and Piton Tarade to the north-west.