Top 5 things to do in Marie-Galante

Nicknamed the island of a hundred mills, Marie-Galante seduces with its peaceful rhythm, its preserved landscapes and its strong identity. Here, time seems to be slowing down. The beaches are wild, the roads lined with sugar cane fields and the welcome is always warm. Whether you come for a day or several nights, the island offers a multitude of authentic experiences, between sea, heritage and nature.

Here are the top 5 essential things to do in Marie-Galante to fully enjoy this little gem of the Guadeloupe archipelago.

1. Explore some of the most beautiful beaches in the Antilles

It is impossible to talk about Marie-Galante without mentioning its exceptional beaches. The island is famous for its long stretches of white sand bordered by turquoise waters.

The beaches of Saint Louis (Anse Canot, Anse Moustique, Anse Bambou...) are the most famous. These authentic corners of paradise are perfect for lazing around and snorkeling.

During your family vacations in Guadeloupe, it is one of the best spots to take your children for a swim in a calm and translucent sea.

Enjoy the beaches of Saint Louis and don't leave until the sunset show.

2. Discover the cultivation of sugar cane and rum

Marie-Galante is marked by the cultivation of sugar cane. Here, the landscape is shaped by the cane fields and the remains of the old mills, symbols of the agricultural history of the island.

The people of Marie Galantais are very proud of their rum, and that's understandable. A visit to a distillery is unavoidable. There are three on the island: Bielle, Bellevue and the Poisson distillery (Père Labat). After discovering the stages of rum production, you will be offered a tasting. Attention, local white rum is 59°. You have to have a light hand if you get back in the car afterwards.

3. Immerse yourself in the preserved nature of the island

Marie-Galante is an ideal destination for lovers of nature and wide open spaces. Far from mass tourism, the island offers many natural sites that are still poorly developed.

The cliffs to the north, especially towards Gueule Grand Gouffre, are impressive in their power and offer spectacular panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal paths and inland paths allow beautiful walks or bike rides, in the heart of fields and wooded areas.

4. Visit the ancient sugar houses, living memory of Marie-Galante

Marie-Galante preserves numerous testimonies of its agricultural and sugar past. These ancient homes tell the story of sugar cane, the work of men and women, and the organization of the island over several centuries.

The best known is Habitation Murat, located in Grand-Bourg. A former 18th-century sugar factory, it now hosts an ecomuseum dedicated to the history of Marie-Galante. The restored buildings, mills, machines and exhibition spaces allow us to understand the functioning of a sugar house and its central role in the island's economy. The site is also a cultural place that hosts the famous Terre de Blues festival every year.

Other homes also deserve attention, such as the Habitation Roussel-Trianon, known for its windmill that is still visible, or the Habitation Pirogue, more discreet but representative of the rural heritage of Marie-Galantais.

5. Taste local specialties

Among the local specialties, we have already mentioned rum but that does not end there. Marie-Galante also has a very strong culinary identity.

Marie-Galante's most famous dish is baby food. If you like offal, you are in for a treat. For others, don't worry: Marie-Galantaise cuisine offers many other specialties that are just as tasty.

Baby Bélé is therefore a local soup made from tripe, green bananas and breadfruit.

Marie-Galante's other culinary specialties are more for sweet tooths. The emblematic pastry of the big cake, amusing by its name, is called kaka Bèf (or ox poop). It is a kind of brioche with a shape strangely similar to... You have already understood it well.

Syrup candy is another locally recognized cake that is soaked in battery syrup (a sugar cane syrup that is very concentrated in taste)

Otherwise you will of course find cane sugar on every corner and very good local honey.

Practical info

How do I get there?

The easiest and most regular way to reach Marie-Galante is by ferry FRS Express des Îles.

The company provides daily rotations between Pointe-à-Pitre and Grand-Bourg de Marie-Galante, all year round. The crossing only lasts one hour and reservations are made directly on their site.

Our advice: Book in advance, especially during school holidays and weekends.

Why is Marie-Galante a unique destination

Between wild beaches, agricultural heritage, preserved nature and a relaxed lifestyle, Marie-Galante offers an experience different from the rest of the archipelago.

Whether you are a nature lover, passionate about history or simply looking for peace and quiet, Marie-Galante is an essential destination in Guadeloupe, to be explored without haste.