île
Capesterre
The south-east village of Marie-Galante: Capesterre concentrates the island's longest beach (Feuillère, 2 km), the Bellevue distillery, the restored Bezard windmill, and hosts the annual Terre de Blues Festival, one of the great Caribbean music gatherings.
Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante is one of the three main villages of Marie-Galante island, located on the south-east coast. With around 3,500 inhabitants, it's the second commune of the island after Grand-Bourg, but unquestionably the most lively and most tourism-oriented — its seafront welcomes restaurants, Creole guesthouses, craft market and popular lolos.
The Feuillère beach, stretching along the village for nearly 2 km, is the longest in Marie-Galante. Lined with coconut palms and sea grapes, it offers an ideal family setting — calm water, golden sand, natural shade, beach snacks. It's here, on this emblematic beach, that the Terre de Blues Festival takes place every year in late May-early June (Pentecost weekend), one of the biggest musical events in the Caribbean: 3 days of international blues, jazz, soul and Afro-Caribbean music before a passionate audience.
Capesterre is also the access gateway to the Bellevue distillery (Domaine de Bellevue), owned by the Damoiseau group, which produces one of the most renowned AOC agricultural rum ranges in the French Antilles. A few kilometres away, the Bezard Mill (19th century, restored and accessible €5) bears witness to the sugar golden age — out of the hundred or so windmills the island had in the 19th century, Bezard is one of the few to have been entirely rehabilitated. The Gueule Grand Gouffre trail (10 min walk from the D203) leads to a spectacular marine chasm carved by the Atlantic into the limestone cliff. Capesterre is thus the best hotel base to explore Marie-Galante: lively restaurants, exceptional beach, direct access to the Bellevue distillery and Bezard mill, and a unique festival atmosphere in late May.
What we love
- ✅Feuillère beach: 2 km, the longest in Marie-Galante, calm water and coconut palms
- ✅Terre de Blues Festival late May/early June (3 days, international stage, unique atmosphere)
- ✅Bellevue distillery (Damoiseau group) 5 min by car, free tasting
- ✅Best offer of Creole guesthouses and popular lolos on the island
- ✅Central position: Anse Canot 25 min, Bielle distillery 15 min, Père Labat distillery 20 min
What to know
- ❌Limited and basic hotel offer (mainly Creole guesthouses, few boutique hotels)
- ❌Access only by maritime shuttle (45 min to 1h15) or plane (15 min)
- ❌Almost non-existent nightlife outside the Terre de Blues Festival period
- ❌Not suited for very short stays (less than 3 days)
Situation
Où se situe Capesterre ?
Ouvrir la carte en grand sur OpenStreetMap →Frequently asked questions
How to get to Marie-Galante?+
How many days to visit Marie-Galante?+
What are the three AOC distilleries of Marie-Galante?+
Which is the most beautiful beach in Marie-Galante?+
What is the Terre de Blues Festival?+
Our verdict
Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante is the best hotel base to explore Marie-Galante: its Feuillère beach (2 km, the longest on the island) offers an ideal setting, its popular lolos and restaurants serve authentic Creole food, and its central position allows easy radiating to the distilleries (Bellevue on foot, Bielle 15 min, Père Labat 20 min) and emblematic beaches (Anse Canot 25 min). If you can come in late May, the Terre de Blues Festival turns the village into the Caribbean music capital for 3 days — booking 4-6 months ahead is essential.
Nearby
"Janvier à Marie-Galante : conditions parfaites, distilleries actives, plages désertes. L'île préservée du tourisme de masse offre une expérience caribéenne authentique inégalée."
Expert on Capesterre · 1 contributions
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor