Description

.Marie-Galante, the island of 100 mills is rich in history and has a very interesting natural
heritage. Its mills, but also the “Habitations” and the “Château Murat” attract great amount of
people, since they hide the authentic Guadeloupe. These constructions, from the time of
slavery, together with the rum and the beaches with turquoise waters appear as the wonders of
this island.
Nicknamed the “Grande-Galette”, due to its low relief, Marie-Galante is made up of a limestone
plateau unevenly bisected by “la Barre de l’île” which houses the highest point of the island at
204 m above sea level.
On the north cliff, 5km away from Saint-Louis, the dazzling “Gueule Grand Gouffre” reveals
itself. Dizzying, its collapsed limestone vault recalls the rugged dry coast of Grande-Terre.
Previously conjoined, these two islands now evolve separately. At the bottom of this impressive
50 m chasm, there is a spectacular arch with a circumference of about thirty meters, which was
excavated by the waves.
From the viewpoint, it is possible to observe this 30-meter arch formed under the effect of the
waves, where the waves break and the foam hits. You can hear the force of the wind and the
waters roaring on the coast. The blue of the sea, the sun and the view, on a clear day, of the
coasts of Grande-Terre and La Désirade, do not leave you unsatisfied.
It is one of the main natural sites to visit on the island, and is part of the classified sites of the
Northeast cliff of Marie-Galante (classified as ZICO* which stands for important area for the
conservation of birds) as well as Anse du Vent, Caye Plate and Anse Piton-Morne Parson.

Biodiversity

The vegetation in this area is short as a consequence of the action of the wind and because the
often clear skies result in a very sunny weather. It is therefore an arid kind of weather,
frequently populated with bay cedar (Suriana maritima), dry vines, angeloweed (Pilea
microphylla), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), white frangipani (Plumeria alba) and
bushy spurge (Euphorbia articulata). The cacti and agaves, bolder, display their spines on the
contours of the plateau.
The observed fauna is composed mainly of seabirds from the cliffs that nest there, such as
dusky-backed shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri), red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)
and white-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus), bridled tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) and
sooty tern (Onychoprion fuscatus), brown noddy or common noddy (Anous stolidus) and
frigatebirds (Fregata sp.)

Ecotourism potential

While hiking the Marie-Galante cliffs trail, it is important to take time to appreciate the scenery,
feel the sea breeze and enjoy the views provided by the 10 km of rugged coastline. From Caye
Plate to Anse Piton you can enjoy coves and limestone cliffs crowned by arid vegetation. Along
the island of Barre you cross the best preserved dry forest* of the islands of Guadeloupe.

360° tour link : https://www.mariegalante360.com/visiter-l-ile/sites-touristiques/gueule-grand-gouffre