Guadeloupe is an overseas department and region of France in the Caribbean, shaped like a butterfly formed by two main islands — volcanic Basse-Terre to the west and coral-limestone Grande-Terre to the east — connected by a narrow channel crossed by the Rivière Salée. Together with outer islands Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, and La Désirade, it offers volcanic hikes, world-class snorkeling, rum distillery tours, and sun-drenched beaches, all wrapped in an authentically French Caribbean culture.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Guadeloupe.
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1
Kalinago (Carib) and Arawak peoples inhabit the archipelago; petroglyphs found at Pointe Allègre, Sainte-Rose (dating from ~2000 BCE)
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2
Christopher Columbus lands on the island November 4 and names it 'Santa María de Guadalupe de Extremadura'
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3
French colonists under Charles Liénard de l'Olive and Jean du Plessis d'Ossonville establish first permanent settlement at Basse-Terre
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4
Sugar cane cultivation begins; enslaved Africans imported in large numbers; plantation economy takes hold
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5
British occupation during Seven Years' War; Guadeloupe returned to France under Treaty of Paris
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6
Revolutionary commissioner Victor Hugues abolishes slavery and arms freed slaves to repel a British invasion
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7
Napoleon reinstates slavery; enslaved general Louis Delgrès and 300 followers blow themselves up at Fort Matouba rather than surrender — Guadeloupe's most celebrated act of resistance
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8
Victor Schœlcher secures definitive abolition of slavery across French colonies on April 27
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9
Guadeloupe becomes an overseas département of France; residents gain full French citizenship
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10
Guadeloupe also designated an outermost region (région ultrapériphérique) of the European Union
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11
UNESCO inscribes Gwo Ka drumming on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
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12
MÉMORIAL ACTe — Caribbean Centre for the Expression and Memory of the Slave Trade — opens in Pointe-à-Pitre
Historical sites
Places where Guadeloupe's past comes alive.
Historic
MÉMORIAL ACTe
Admission: €15 adult (~$16), €8 child (~$9)
Historic
Fort Delgrès (Fort Saint-Charles)
Admission: Free
Historic
Petroglyphs of Trois-Rivières
Admission: €3 adult (~$3.25), children free
Historic
Fort Napoléon des Saintes
Admission: €4 adult (~$4.50)
Historic
Habitation Zévallos (Sugar Mill Ruins)
Admission: Free
Historic
Musée Edgar Clerc (Pre-Columbian Archaeology)
Admission: Free