Our latest edition of Meet the Caribbean heads to the island of Marie Galante in the Guadeloupe Islands archipelago, one of the rum and sugar production hubs of the Caribbean — and home to great food, white -sand beaches and intoxicating culture.
With just over 12,000 inhabitants and about 171 square kilometres; it’s located about 30 kilometres south of the “main islands” of Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre.
Its largest town is Grand Bourg, with a population of just over 5,700 residents.
Marie Galante is all about rhum, like the spirit at Rhum Bielle, where you can always come for a free taste.
Agriculture remains the heart and soul of the island, and farmer Alex Brute offers daily ox-cart tours.
The best-known rum on the island is Pere Labat, named for the 17th and 18th-century clergyman Jean-Baptiste Labat.
Indeed, Marie Galante has three major distilleries (Pere Labat, Bielle and Bellevue, meaning more rum distilleries per inhabitant than anywhere else in the Caribbean.)
When you’re not touring distilleries, Marie Galante has another show-stopper: its beautiful, white-sand beaches.
The Guadeloupe Islands are a culinary hub, and Marie Galante continues the trend, with Guadeloupe’s signature fusion of French and Creole culinary styles, like at La Playa (above), named one of the Caribbean’s 50 best restaurants last year.
See you in Marie-Galante!
— CJ