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| Terre-de-Bas | ||
| region | Guadeloupe | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1.011 (2018) | |
| height | 0-283 | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| Tourist info | (0)590 922990 https://www.terredebas.com | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Terre-de-Bas (creole: Tèdébà) is an island and a municipality in Guadeloupe, within the archipelago Les Saintes. Its inhabitants call themselves like those of Terre-de-Haut also, Saintois (m) or Saintoise (w).
background
There are two villages in Terre-de-Bas: Petites Anses, the older of the two (founded in 1817), in the west and Grande Anse in the east. The municipality also includes the uninhabited islands of Le Pâté and La Coche and the uninhabited islet of Les Augustins.
The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage, but until the 17th century it was only inhabited by Indians who had settled there since the 13th century. The first colonists practiced agriculture without establishing villages. At first they grew everyday food. Sugar, coffee and cocoa were added later. They traded with the pirates who found retreats in the island's bays. Pottery that produced the vessels needed to make sugar was founded. The village of Grande Anse was created due to the abolition of slavery. The former pottery workers settled there. Around this time fishing was added as a source of income, and later also the production of rhum.
Even when tourism moved in, Terre-de-Bas retained its authenticity. The calm of the island is palpable.
getting there
The journey to Terre-de-Bas is only possible by ship. Ferries run from several times a day Trois-Rivières (Island of Basse-Terre) from across Terre-de-Haut to Terre-de-Bas, plus a shuttle service between Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut. The port is located in Grande Anse.
- Val'Ferry, Trois-Rivière. Tel.: (0)590 949709. From Trois-Rivière to Terre-de-Bas: daily 9:00 a.m., Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sun. also 5:30 p.m. From Terre-de-Bas to Trois-Rivière: daily 4:40 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat. also 6:00 a.m. Single trip € 15, return trip € 23.
- CTM lathe operator. Tel.: (0)590 920639, Email: [email protected]. From Trois-Rivière to Terre-de-Bas: Monday to Saturday 8.15am and 3.45pm, Sunday 8.15am and 4.30pm. From Terre-de-Bas to Trois-Rivière: Monday to Saturday 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Sun 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Single trip € 15, return trip € 22.
- Bleu Azur. Tel.: (0)690 503628. From Terre-de-Haut to Terre-de-Bas: Monday to Friday 6:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Sat., Sun. 9:30 a.m. , 11:30 a.m., 3:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. From Terre-de-Bas to Terre-de-Haut: Monday to Friday 6:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., Sat., Sun. 8:00 a.m. , 11:00 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. One-way ticket € 5, return ticket € 9.
mobility
Due to its small size, the island can be easily explored on foot. There are also minibuses between Grande Anse and Petites Anses. It is possible to rent a car, but it is practically not worth it. An alternative is to rent a scooter.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Ruins of the Fidelin pottery, Grande Anse. A monument historique From the 18th century. Detailed background (in French) at Wikipedia. .
- 1 Manufacture of the Salako, Maison de l'Artisanat, Grande Anse. The salako is a traditional headgear. Detailed background (in French) at Wikipedia. .
activities
beaches
- 2 Plage de Grande Anse, Grande Anse. Golden sand, crystal clear blue-green water.
- 3 Plage de Grande Baie, Grande Anse. Particularly suitable for snorkeling.
- 4 Plage de l'Anse à Dos, Petites Anses. Small sandy beach, some fishing boats, great view.
- 5 Plage de Bord de mer, Petites Anses. Brown sand.
Boat charter
- Bleu Azur, at the harbor, Grande Anse. Mobile: (0)690 503628, Email: [email protected]. The catamaran, which operates the shuttle service between Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut, can also be chartered for group excursions.
Minibus charter
- Soleil des Iles. Mobile: (0)690 503628, Email: [email protected]. The minibuses that connect Grande Anse with Petites Anses in the "regular service" can also be chartered for group excursions.
hike
There are four short but interesting hiking trails. They meet in some places and can therefore be combined.
- Trace des falaises (Trace jaunes). From Plage de Grande Anse to Plage de l'Anse à Dos, along the coast. Difficulty: medium. Length: 6.8 km. Duration: 3 hours. 240 meters in altitude.
- Trace you dessus de l’étang (Trace bleue). From the Plage de Grande Anse to the Plage de l'Anse à Dos, north around the Morne Sec. Difficulty: medium. Length: 2.1 km. Duration: 1 hour. 240 meters in altitude.
- Trace du pied de l’étang (Trace rouge). From the Plage de Grande Anse to the Plage de l'Anse à Dos, south of the Morne Sec. Difficulty: medium. Length: 1.8 km. Duration: 45 minutes. 180 meters in altitude.
- Trace you morne (Trace orange). From the Plage de Grande Anse to the Plage de l'Anse à Dos, west of the Haut Morne. Difficulty: medium. Length: 1.7 km. Duration: 45 minutes. 180 meters in altitude.
Snorkeling
- Plage de Grande Baie, Grande Anse.
Diving
- 6 Sec pâté, near the island of Le Pâté.
shop
The shopping opportunities in Terre-de-Bas are very manageable.
- Maison de l'Artisanat, Grande Anse. Here you can find out about the (arts) crafts of the island and also buy souvenirs.
kitchen
- Chez Eugénette, Grande Anse, on the beach. Tel.: (0)590 998183. Excellent fish dishes. Reservations recommended.Open: noon.Accepted payment methods: none.
- À la Belle Étoile, Grande Anse, on the beach. Tel.: (0)590 998369. Creole cuisine and fish dishes, also to take away. Reservations recommended. The operators also offer accommodation options.Open: noon.Accepted payment methods: none.
- Soleil La, Grande Anse. Tel.: (0)590 923093. Simple, local cuisine, freshly caught fish. Reservations recommended. The operators also offer accommodation options.Open: lunchtime and in the evening.Accepted payment methods: none.
nightlife
Anyone looking for nightlife is in the wrong place in Terre-de-Bas. The residents like their island to be calm and cozy.
accommodation
- Residence Coco d’îles, Grande Anse. 4 bungalows of different sizes, depending on the size for 2 to 6 people.Accepted payment methods: none.
- Gîte de Raymond Petit, Grande Anse. Tel.: (0)590 998119. 2 studios for 2 to 3 people each.Accepted payment methods: none.
- À la Belle Étoile, Grande Anse. Tel.: (0)590 998369. 2 studios for 2 to 4 people each. Simply furnished, but right on the beach. The studios belong to the restaurant of the same name.Accepted payment methods: none.
- Soleil La, Grande Anse. Tel.: (0)590 923093. 1 studio for 2 to 5 people. The studio belongs to the restaurant of the same name.Accepted payment methods: none.
- Rêve de Robinson, Grande Anse. 4 bungalows for 2 to 4 people, 1 studio and 1 room for 2 people each. Telephone number varies depending on the season: January 20 to May 1 and October 15 to December 20: (0) 590 321293, in the rest of the time: (0) 590 601560.Accepted payment methods: none.
- Residence de la Chapelle, Grande Anse. Tel.: (0)590 998284. 1 apartment for up to 6 people and 1 studio for 2 to 4 people. High quality interior.Accepted payment methods: none.
security
There is practically no crime in Terre-de-Bas. That's probably because everyone here knows everyone personally. It is reported that a worker who wanted to prepare a special meal while visiting a "high relative" from Europe stole a goat from his neighbor. The "punishment" is said to have been that the worker had to mend the neighbour's stable. In addition, the neighbor had invited himself to the meal.
- police (Gendarmerie), Petites Anses. The gendarmerie is happy to help in any emergency. However, the station in Terre-de-Bas is not open all the time. If in doubt, you can dial the euro emergency number "112".
health
In Terre-de-Bas there is a doctor and a pharmacy. In the event of a medical emergency, it is possible to be flown to a hospital on the island of Basse-Terre by helicopter.
- police (Gendarmerie), Petites Anses. The gendarmerie is happy to help in any emergency. However, the station in Terre-de-Bas is not open all the time. If in doubt, you can dial the euro emergency number "112".
Practical advice
- ATM, at the post office, Petites Anses. Unlike in most other places in Guadeloupe, credit cards are not always accepted in restaurants and accommodation. It is therefore advisable to take enough cash with you or, if necessary, to get it at the ATM.
- police (Gendarmerie), Petites Anses. The gendarmerie is happy to help in any emergency. However, the station in Terre-de-Bas is not open all the time. If in doubt, you can dial the euro emergency number "112".
- Hurricane season: from the beginning of June to the end of November each year is officially hurricane season. However, travelers shouldn't be deterred from visiting Terre-de-Bas during this time as well. For one, the probability of hurricanes is Irma or Maria rather low, on the other hand the operators of the accommodations know exactly how to protect themselves and their guests appropriately.
Web links
- http://www.terredebas-lessaintes.com - Official website of Terre-de-Bas
- Detailed maps at geoportail. Enter "terre-de-bas" in the search field and select the offered entry "97136 Terre-de-Bas".
