Basse-Terre Town
The administrative capital, a quiet colonial town below the volcano with a fort above the harbour.
Updated 2 September 2026
Basse-Terre is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe though not its commercial centre, a town of a few tens of thousands strung along the coast below La Soufrière with the prefecture, the cathedral and a run of colonial buildings along the main streets. Fort Delgrès stands above it on a bluff over the harbour. The town is quiet compared with Pointe-à-Pitre and the volcano dominates the view inland from almost everywhere in it.
The main sights
- Fort Delgres - the fortification on the bluff above the harbour.
- The colonial centre - the prefecture, cathedral and old streets.
- The volcano view - La Soufriere standing behind the town.
- The seafront - the shore and harbour below the fort.
When to go
December to April is the dry season. The town is quiet at weekends. September and October are the peak of the hurricane season.
Things to know
The town is administrative and sleepy with limited eating and accommodation. Many colonial buildings are in poor repair. It rains a great deal on this side of the island.
Nearby
Fort Delgres is above, and La Soufriere is inland.
What to pack for Basse-Terre Town
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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