Getting around — Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre is more accessible than Basse-Terre, with a dense and flat road network. A car remains essential for full freedom — public transport (Karu'Lis network) covers Pointe-à-Pitre to main towns but is impractical for secondary beaches and northern sites.

Rental agencies (Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Jumbo Car) are concentrated at Pôle Caraïbes airport, 5-10 minutes from Pointe-à-Pitre. Plan €35-55/day for a compact. All main roads are to French standards (right side). The N4 follows the south coast (Pointe-à-Pitre → Sainte-Anne → Saint-François), the N5 heads north (Pointe-à-Pitre → Le Moule → Anse-Bertrand), the D101 loops around Pointe des Châteaux.

Travel times from Pôle Caraïbes: Le Gosier 15 min, Sainte-Anne 30 min, Saint-François 45 min, Pointe des Châteaux 55 min, Le Moule 30 min, Pointe de la Grande Vigie 1h, Anse-Bertrand 1h. Between Grande-Terre sites: Sainte-Anne-Saint-François 20 min, Saint-François-Pointe des Châteaux 15 min, Le Moule-Pointe de la Grande Vigie 30 min.

The crossing to Basse-Terre goes by the Gabarre bridge (Pointe-à-Pitre, A1 motorway, 5 min) or the Alliance bridge (D29, 10 min). From Pointe-à-Pitre to Deshaies (north-west Basse-Terre), allow 1 hour.

For excursions to satellite islands: ferry to Marie-Galante from Pointe-à-Pitre Maritime Station (45 min to 1h15, €30-50 return, several daily rotations via L'Express des Îles) or from Saint-François. Catamaran to Petite-Terre from Saint-François (€90-120/person, full day). Ferry to La Désirade from Saint-François (45 min, €30 return).