Anse à la Gourde, White sand beach in Saint-François, Guadeloupe.
Anse à la Gourde is a white sand beach set on the northern coast of the Châteaux Peninsula. A coral reef runs along the shore, which shapes the swimming conditions and creates shallow waters depending on the tide.
The area was home to multiple Amerindian settlements from the 6th to 15th centuries, revealed through excavations conducted between 1995 and 2000. These investigations uncovered over 1800 post holes and burial sites, demonstrating centuries of continuous habitation.
The beach held deep meaning for early inhabitants, as evidenced by burial grounds discovered during excavations that reveal their presence over generations. Different ways of arranging the deceased show how these communities held distinct beliefs about honoring their dead.
Access to the beach requires care due to rocks along the shoreline in certain areas. Wearing sturdy shoes helps when navigating the entry points, and it is worth taking time to locate the safest spots before wading in.
A rocky islet called Éperon Rock sits roughly 700 meters offshore and is visible from the shoreline. This distinctive formation catches the eye and serves as a useful landmark when exploring the area.
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