Vieux-Habitants
In the south of Basse-Terre, Vieux-Habitants – founded in the 17th century – is the oldest town in Guadeloupe. Long-standing residents of Guadeloupe have always been drawn to settle there for the quality of life it offers, hence its name. It boasts the island’s most authentic traditional houses and has retained its tradition as a farming region. It boasts numerous attractions, both natural and cultural.
Main attractions
- Diving
- Hikes
- The Mamalier Trail
- Grande Rivière
- The engraved rocks of the River Du Plessis
- Paradis Basin and Ravine
- Millet Basin
- Canyoning
- L’Habitation de la Grivelière: coffee museum and chocolate shop
- The Darius Estate, known as ‘La Coulisse’
- Vanibel Estate
- Indigoterie at Anse à la Barque
- The church, the oldest on the island
Details of activities in Vieux Habitants
With a rich history of successive crops, such as spices, cassava, cocoa, annatto, indigo and, finally, coffee, on the cultural front, several coffee plantations – including the Habitation de la Grivelière, a listed historic monument, and the Habitation Darius – bear splendid witness to the glorious past of Vieux-Habitants as a coffee-growing region. These remarkable estates are best visited with a guide. At the end of the tour, you can sample ‘on ti kafé bonifieur’ or ‘on ti chocolat creole’! Other regional specialities may also be on offer. Tours of banana and vanilla plantations are also available.
In terms of natural beauty, Grande Rivière is a site comprising a series of enchanting freshwater pools set amongst rich, lush countryside. A recently discovered pre-Columbian site on the Duplessis River bears witness, through its engraved rocks, to the past presence of the Arawak people on these lands.
Local events
- Café Choco Vanille Federation Carnival Parade (January)
- Vieux-Habitants Festival – Saint Joseph – (Early May)
The beaches
- Étang Beach
- Simaho Beach
- Rocroy Beach
Further information
In Vieux-Habitants, you’ll visit some beautiful cultural and natural sites