Could La Désirade become the first overseas territory to be elected “Favorite village of the French”?


What are the assets of the island of Désirade to be elected “Favorite village of the French”? – 20 minutes

  • Until March 25, France 3 offers the French to vote for their “Favorite French village”, the television program presented by Stéphane Bern.
  • This year, out of the 14 villages selected, there is only one overseas territory, the island of Désirade.
  • The island, the oldest in the Guadeloupe archipelago, relies on its assets and the fervor of the Ultramarins to win the title.

Will the overseas regions manage to compete this year with Brittany or Alsace in the 10th edition of the “French favorite village” competition, presented by host Stéphane Bern, on France 3? This is the bet of the town and island of
the Désirade, located in the archipelago of Guadeloupe, east of Grande Terre. The one which was “so desired” by Christopher Columbus, when it was discovered in 1493, relies on its beauty and the richness of its heritage to win the prize and make itself better known to the French.

A rich culinary heritage

Accessible by air or sea with the chance to spot whales or dolphins during the crossing, the Désirade is a haven of peace worthy of the most beautiful postcards. Its beaches of fine white sand, its breathtaking views (such as the Pointe des Colibris and the Chapelle du Calvaire), its diving spots, its marine cemetery, its nature reserve of the islands of Petite-Terre, its green plains make it a serious competitor against the 13 other municipalities in the running. A delicious cocktail that seduces Guadeloupeans and Belgian, Danish and German tourists who travel its 12 kilometers of roads and trails on foot, by quad, scooter or car.

“It’s a small rock but there are great things to see”, simply sums up a loyal customer of the Mireille Saint-Eloi fishmonger, the only one on the island. With all of her fellow citizens, the owner of So Fish So Fresh has mobilized to defend her island. She knows a lot about local products such as cashew apple, known for its nuts, but acclaimed here for its syrup or even olive punch. On the port side, fishermen repair their nets and unload their booty for the day. Today it will be lobsters, catfish and parrotfish, details Julien Saint-Aurey. The sea is the DNA of Désirade and fishing its main economic lever, before ecotourism. The hundreds of fishermen “from father to son” in the town provide almost half of Guadeloupe with fish and seafood.

An “authentic” island

It is not uncommon to come across the emblematic animals of the Désirade, the iguana and the goat (a goat) during a walk. The livestock is also in the spotlight of the famous culinary festival of the island (” the festival has kabrit Which is usually held in April. “Unfortunately, since the confinement, there are no more meals on the beaches,” says Claude Nachon, the parish priest who has served for seven years. But here people are always very welcoming and helpful ”. Aline and Jörg Lindemann were the happy beneficiaries. Thanks to donations of cactus seeds, they are now looking after in their 5,000 m2 Desert botanical garden, unique in the Caribbean basin, 15,000 plants, from 800 species of cacti. The couple, founders of the Antilles cactophiles association, are fighting to save the endemic cactus known as “tete-a-anglais” of the island, which is endangered. They rely on the support of volunteers like Sophie, Simon and Damien, from Toulouse and Haute-Savoie. Between their services, they take advantage of “the diversity of the landscapes with the beaches in the south, the craftsmen of the town, and the cliffs in the north of the island, on the side of the old meteorological station of Pointe Doublé”, says Damien one of their comrades. Near this old building and its lighthouse, registered on the list of historical monuments, which overlooks the ocean, are hidden among the vegetation of many volcanic rocks.

Colline, Sophie, Simon and Damien left Toulouse and Haute-Savoie to volunteer at the Désert de la Désirade botanical garden.
Colline, Sophie, Simon and Damien left Toulouse and Haute-Savoie to volunteer at the Désert de la Désirade botanical garden. – S. AGAPE / 20 MINUTES

Aged 150 million years, Désirade is an abundant geological nature reserve, with semi-precious stones such as basalts, radiolites and chalcedony. “Our stones are metamorphic,” explains Véronique Tonton. This stone craftswoman transforms raw stone in her Lapidary Desi-jasper workshop into jewelry. “All this natural heritage is well preserved. La Désirade must bet on its authenticity, ”she argues. The seventh color of the rainbow, indigo blue is another wonder of the island. Imported from India by Europeans, the pigment produced from local plants from Guadeloupe has won over Ghislain Jonneaux, a Breton living on the island, for a decade. At Maison de l’Indigo, with his partner Rénée, a Quebecer, he creates natural dyes for clothes and fabrics and shares his know-how with visitors. The artisans of color hope that all French people will fall in love with the island like her.

With three days of the final, nothing is decided but the mayor of the town Loïc Tonton wants to believe it. “La Désirade’s candidacy is not just for the Désirade. It is for Guadeloupe, the Caribbean and the Overseas, ”says the city councilor, who organized a seduction operation with influencers from the archipelago. He encourages everyone to vote multiple times the France Télévisions website or by phone on 12. A symbolic number since it is that of the ex-footballer of the France team, Thierry Henry. The most famous of the Desiradians.



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