A few miles south of Guadeloupe, it is the third biggest island of the French West Indies, with 157 km2 and 16 thousands inhabitants. It is almost a round stone whose road tour is about 50 miles.
People use to say that it reminds the Guadeloupe of 50 years ago, with few cars and an agricultural way of life, based on sugar cane and the distillation of the best rum in the area. It also provides some of the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago.
Christopher Colombus named it in 1493 after the admiral ship of his navy during his second voyage. The first French settlers only came in 1648. Nicknamed the island of the hundred windmills, an illustrious one remains at the Habitation Murat along a museum and the ruins of the first domain. The town of Capesterre offers a nice white sand beach protected by a coral reef.
In the north, the "Gueule du Grand Gouffre" is a dark abyss surmounted by a natural arch sculptured by the sea in a striking contrast of colors and lights. The Anse Canot, one of the nice moorings of the island is one of the most spectacular whithe sand beaches in the area. Every month of May, takes place in Marie-Galante the Creole Blues festival, a world music festival which has welcomed such stars as Johnny Clegg or Cesaria Evora in the past.