Introducing Pointe-a-Pitre

In 1654 a merchant named Peter, a Dutch Jew who settled in Guadeloupe after being exiled from Brazil, began a fish market on an undeveloped harborside jut of land. The area became known as Peter’s Point and eventually grew into the settlement of Pointe-à-Pitre.

From the outskirts, Pointe-à-Pitre looks pretty uninviting – a concrete jungle of high-rises and sprawling traffic. Venture into the center, though, and you’ll find a much more attractive old town with peeling colonial architecture and palm-fringed streets.

The town hub is Place de la Victoire, an open space punctuated with tall royal palms that extends north a few blocks from the inner harbor. There are sidewalk cafes opposite its west side, a line of big old mango trees to the north, and a relaxed air abounds. While Pointe-à-Pitre has little to attract most visitors, it’s a hub of transportation for the entire island and beyond. If you do find yourself here, there are a few sights to keep you occupied for an hour or two.