If you wish to uncover France’s DOM/TOM facet, seashores and coconut timber, observe our information to the French abroad islands: the place and when to go ? On this information, we’ve listed all of the French abroad islands with sensible info (how you can get there, how you can get round, when to go) and vacationer info (what to do there).
French abroad islands: Guadeloupe
Bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Guadeloupe is positioned 575 km north of Venezuela, 739 km from the Dominican Republic, 2,176 km from Miami (United States) and 6,732 km from Paris. Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre are the principle inhabited lands of this archipelago composed of a number of islands and islets.
How will we get there?
From Orly airport, the common flight time is 8 hours . Touchdown at Guadeloupe Airport – Pôle Caraïbes, the one worldwide airport able to receiving long-haul plane. There’s a 5-hour time distinction in winter and 6 hours in summer time with Guadeloupe. That’s to say that when it’s 12 o’clock in mainland France, it’s 7 o’clock (in winter) and 6 o’clock (in summer time) in Pointe-à-Pitre.
When are we going?
The temperatures are nice all 12 months spherical and vary between 26°C and 33°C on common . Guadeloupe has 2 seasons, however stays nice in all seasons. Discover the climate on this abroad division on our web page devoted to the local weather of Guadeloupe.
What will we do there? The necessities
Listed here are the must-sees in your journey to Guadeloupe:
Land transport:
- Bus : You will see that buses from Pointe-à-Pitre or Basse-Terre serving all of the municipalities. The timetables are variable and the stops are on demand.
- Taxis: Their costs are set by prefectural decree. Watch out, costs are excessive outdoors built-up areas.
- Automobile rental : There are lots of rental corporations, however in excessive season it’s advisable to make your reservation earlier than your arrival.
Transport maritime :
- Departures for Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia from the Pointe-à-Pitre ferry terminal.
- Departures for Marie-Galante and Désirade from Saint-François and Pointe-à-Pitre.
- Departures for the Saintes additionally from Trois-Rivières and Pointe-à-Pitre.
- Common departures from Marigot and Gustavia Connection to St Martin, Saba and St Barth.
Air transport:
- A number of corporations present connections between the islands of Guadeloupe and the Caribbean : Inter-islands: Air Caraïbes, Air Antilles Specific, Liat.
French abroad islands: Martinique
Nicknamed “the island of flowers”, Martinique is positioned within the Caribbean, extra exactly within the Lesser Antilles archipelago.
How will we get there?
It takes about 8 hours to fly from Paris . Touchdown at Martinique Aimé-Césaire Worldwide Airport positioned 12 km south of Fort-de-France. The time distinction is 5 hours in winter and 6 hours in summer time. When it’s 12 midday in Paris, it’s 6 or 7 am in Fort-de-France.
When are we going?
One of the best time to fly to Martinique stays the dry season . However you possibly can examine the climate month by month in case your trip dates don’t correspond with this era.
What will we do there? The necessities
Listed here are the must-sees in your journey to Martinique:
Land transport:
- Bus: Because of the imprecise timetables, that is an unreliable technique of transport in Martinique. It’s nonetheless usable in Fort-de-France and its suburbs. The primary stations are positioned on Boulevard du Général-de-Gaulle in Fort-de-France.
- Taxis: there’s a giant fleet of personal taxis in Martinique, primarily parked on the Lamentin airport, in Fort-de-France and in entrance of the massive lodges. Watch out: they’re fairly costly and the costs aren’t fastened. It’s higher to agree with the motive force earlier than the journey to keep away from any disagreeable surprises.
- Taxi-co: these are personal minibuses that make common journeys to Fort de France. Watch out; they solely depart when they’re full and do not need a schedule. Stops are made on demand together with the highway.
- Automobile rental: That is essentially the most environment friendly means to have the ability to uncover the island freely. Plan to e book earlier than your arrival. Situations: be no less than 21 years outdated, have had a license for greater than a 12 months and have a bank card.
Transport maritime :
- Ferries present journey between the islets and keep away from the numerous site visitors jams
French abroad islands: Reunion
An abroad division positioned within the Indian Ocean, Réunion is within the Mascarene archipelago lower than 700 kilometers from Madagascar and fewer than 200 kilometers from Mauritius.
How will we get there?
It takes between 10 and 11 hours from Paris to get to Reunion Island. There are 5 corporations that present these connections. Touchdown at Roland-Garros airport positioned in Sainte Marie. The time distinction is 3 hours in winter, and a pair of hours in summer time. When it’s 12 midday in Paris, it’s 3 p.m. in Reunion.
When are we going?
To decide on your departure date for Reunion, seek the advice of our month-by-month climate web page.
What will we do there? The necessities
Listed here are the must-sees in your journey to Reunion:
How will we get round?
Land transport:
- Bus: A number of strains present good service to the island. Watch out, after 6 p.m. there aren’t many bus connections.
- Taxis: They’re very costly and in the end fairly uncommon.
- Car rental: This is the best way to explore the island, but certainly also the most expensive. There are some precautions to take, especially on winding mountain roads. It’s also worth noting that Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre often experience traffic jams , as do smaller towns.
Air transport:
In Saint-Pierre, in the south of the island, Pierrefonds Airport has limited capacity and serves as a shuttle to the main airport and as a terminal for island flights to Mauritius and Madagascar and those to Paris with a stopover at La Réunion Roland-Garros Airport.
French overseas islands: Mayotte
Located in the Comoros archipelago, Mayotte is made up of two main islands, Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre , and several other small islands including Mtsamboro, Mbouzi and Bandrélé.
How do we get there?
It will take you about 10 hours from Paris to reach Mayotte non-stop . Landing at Dzaoudzi-Pamandzi Worldwide Airport, near Dzaoudzi (Petite-Terre) on a very short runway next to the sea. The time difference is +2 hours in winter and +1 hour in summer.
When are we going?
It’s warm year-round, but it’s best to visit during the less rainy months. Check out Mayotte’s climate month by month to optimize your trip.
What can we do there? The essentials
Here are the must-sees for your trip to Mayotte:
How do we get around?
Land transport:
Don’t expect to find a very developed public transport network in Mayotte.
- Car rental : This is the preferred means of transportation. Please note: you must have held your driver’s license for at least one year and be 21 or 23 years old for some companies.
- City taxis: These are found in Petite-Terre and Mamoudzou. They pick up several passengers for a fee, and stops are available on demand. Before getting in, check that the vehicle is licensed. A sticker on the windshield will be proof of this.
- Bush Taxis: These are the ones in charge of the programs in rural areas of Grande Terre. This is an air-conditioned bus that will only take the road when the driver deems there are enough people for the trip! They stop on demand on the sides of the roads. Don’t be in a hurry!
Transport maritime
- To connect the islands of Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre, pedestrians and motorcyclists will take the barge. During the day, there are ferry services every half hour, while at night, the ferry service is every hour. The crossing takes 15 minutes.
- Cars and trucks will use the arena.
French overseas islands: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Situated within the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a French archipelago in North America composed of two important islands : Saint Pierre, the smaller however extra populated, and Miquelon itself consisting of two peninsulas; Grande Miquelon and Langlade.
How will we get there?
First, you’ll need to take a flight to Canada. One of the best is to land in Montreal. Then journey both by sea or by airplane, relying on the season of arrival.
- By sea: it’s potential from April to September and typically till November. Departure from Newfoundland. There are rotations till November, however they’re much less frequent: solely on weekends.
- By airplane: take a flight to St. John’s, Newfoundland (40 minutes), Halifax, Nova Scotia or Montreal (roughly 3 hours) with an ATR from Air Saint-Pierre.
A direct flight from Paris to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon exists, however solely from June to September.
When are we going?
It is as much as you to decide on your flight date by wanting on the local weather month by month on our web page devoted to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
What will we do there? The necessities
How will we get round?
Land transport:
- As a consequence of its small measurement, the archipelago doesn’t have a really developed highway community.
- To get round every island, there are a number of potential options: taxi, minibus, automotive rental, bicycle rental, and so on.
- The archipelago doesn’t have a railway.
Transport maritime
There are boat connections:
- Between Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
- Between Saint-Pierre and Langlade
French abroad islands: French Polynesia
Made up of 5 archipelagos comprising 118 islands (76 inhabited), French Polynesia is positioned within the southern Pacific Ocean, 6,000 kilometers from Australia .
How will we get there?
A number of corporations share worldwide connections: Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, Air New Zealand, Lan Airways, Hawaiian Airways and Aircalin. Touchdown at Tahiti Faa’a Worldwide Airport, the principle airport in French Polynesia. The time distinction is -11 hours with Papeete. At 10 a.m. in Paris, will probably be 11 p.m. in Papeete.
When are we going?
Polynesia is accessible all 12 months spherical. Nevertheless, you possibly can evaluate temperatures and humidity ranges to decide on your departure date.
What will we do there? The necessities
Listed here are the must-sees in your journey to French Polynesia:
How will we get round?
Land transport:
Street infrastructure could be very restricted with just one coastal highway . Site visitors could be very intense in Tahiti. In case you are driving throughout rush hour…persistence is required!
Air transport:
- Home air transport is offered by the French Polynesian airline , Air Tahiti, which serves roughly 60 locations. Air journey stays the quickest technique to journey throughout the archipelago.
- There aren’t any fewer than 10 flights to Bora-Bora.
- For the Marquesas Islands, the airplane connections are supplemented by helicopter flights. It isn’t accessible to all budgets, however the view is value it. For instance, permit 10 minutes of flight between Papeete and Moorea.
Transport maritime :
- Papeete is dwelling to crucial port in French Polynesia. It receives greater than 1.7 million vacationers per 12 months. Particularly these going to Moorea.
- There may be additionally a daily inter-island service between the numerous islands, offered by many personal corporations. They’re achieved by ferries, catamarans or cargo-schooners (a less expensive answer, however not very quick). There are additionally shuttles by speedboat or small speedboats.
French abroad islands: Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin
French islands of the Lesser Antilles, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin bathe within the Caribbean. The 2 islands are 25 kilometers aside.
How will we get there?
In Saint-Barthélemy you’ll land on the “Rémy de Haenen” airport. Whereas in Saint-Martin, your airplane will land on the runways of the “Princess Juliana” worldwide airport, positioned on the Dutch a part of the island. By stopping over in Pointe à Pitre, you possibly can land on the Espérance regional airport positioned in Grand Case within the French a part of the island.
The time distinction is -5 hours. At midday in Paris, will probably be 7 hours .
When are we going?
The local weather in each islands is kind of related. Discover it on our two pages devoted to the climate month by month in Saint-Barth and Saint-Martin.
What will we do there? The necessities
Listed here are the must-sees in your journey to Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy:
How will we get round?
saint barth
- No public transport in Saint Barth.
- Finest technique of transport : a automotive or 2 wheels you could simply lease.
- Taxis on the airport and port.
Saint Martin
- Minibus connections within the Quartier d’Orléans, Philipsburg, Marigot and Grand-Case. The stops aren’t very seen and the journeys cease round 7 p.m.
- Automobile rental
- Taxis recognizable by a brand . The charges displayed on the airport are fastened.
French abroad islands: Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia
If you need to go as far-off from France as potential whereas staying in France, Wallis and Futuna is the place you must go. Situated within the southern hemisphere 16,000 km from mainland France, the abroad collectivity consists of 3 islands; Wallis, Futuna and Alofi.
- To get there, you’ll actually make a stopover in New Caledonia from the place flights operated by the Aircalin firm serve Hihifo airport 3 occasions per week by Airbus A320.
- Between Wallis and Futuna, the identical firm supplies connections with a twin-engine DHC-6 Twin Otter.
- Time distinction: +10 hours with New Caledonia and 11 hours with Wallis and Futuna .
When are we going?
Select your departure date by evaluating the climate in Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia.
What will we do there? The necessities
How will we get round?
New Caledonia:
- Bus: There are a number of public transport corporations which can be very handy in Noumea.
- Inter-island sea connections : that is essentially the most used technique of transport for these journeys.
- Automobile rental: a number of companies can be found.