Tour audio La Désirade

The Desirade was discovered by Christopher Columbus on November 2, 1493, after the Canary Islands. It takes its name from the cry of relief of Christopher Columbus' sailors "oh island so desired... ». It was the first land they discovered 21 days after leaving the Canary Islands.
The archaeological sites of the island bear witness to the presence of Native Americans, the first occupants of this wonderful place as early as the 3rd century. In 1648, the Désirade became an outbuilding of Guadeloupe. In Baie-Mahault, a leprosy was installed there, which closed its doors in 1952 due to operational difficulties. One of the sites to visit and discover during your stay on the island.

The Desirade became a refuge for pirates. The leprosy in colonial times, of which only ruins remain today, also marked the presence of the first metropolitans. The former occupants were essentially the less well-off of Metropole.

An equally attractive part of the island's history: Anse de Galets facing the Pointe des Châteaux. This small bay in the far west of the island was the starting point for colonization. The dwellings of Anse de Galets also bear witness to the presence of settlers on the island as well as 18th century exiles.