Located in the northern part of Basse-Terre on the west coast, Pointe Noire is centrally placed to easily reach in 15 minutes by car and offers various tourist options such as the botanical garden of Deshaies, the zoo of the Mamelles Park and the Malendure beach. Even though the Cousteau Underwater Nature Reserve is largely in the commune of Bouillante, a small part is associated with Pointe-Noire.
The crossing road “la route de la traversée” built in 1967, facilitates access from Pointe-à-Pitre to Pointe-Noire where you will find the cocoa house (Maison du Cacao) and discover the art of transforming cocoa into chocolate and also the Saut d’ Acomat for a walk that leads to a refreshment point.
A popular place of pilgrimage, the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears(Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-des-Larmes) is a 7-minute drive from the main road. This site is associated with two apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1977.
In the heart of the village, the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church faces a pretty park laid out around the monument dedicated to those who died in the 1914-1918 war. The church, built in 1853, has kept its facade with insertions of volcanic stones and a clock. The lateral enlargement of 1976 respects the original style. The cemetery is behind the church.
A little further, you will find a quiet square with a fountain in its center and benches around. The town hall, built in 1931, stands next to the square with the colorful bust of Marianne, a figure of liberty, equality, democracy and fraternity representing the French Republic.
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