"You see here, twenty years ago, it was covered with Melocactus intortus." The first deputy mayor gazes with a desolate air at the bare slope of Morne Morel, which faces Le Chameau and Fort Napoléon. From there, one enjoys an extraordinary view of Marigot Bay. This morning, he came with other members of the Saintes Heritage Protection Association (ASPP), of which he is also a member, to survey the site's population. At the summit of this hill, which rises to 150 meters, the National Forestry Office fenced off a hectare of land fifteen years ago to protect the so-called "Tête à l'Anglais" cacti.
Once abundant on the island, the Melocactus intortus is now endangered, "eaten by goats that wander all over the island and picked by tourists." "A few years ago," say the ASPP members, "tourists would leave with a cactus in their luggage. There were even some people from mainland Guadeloupe who would collect baskets full of them and then resell them as souvenirs in Guadeloupe."
During an environmental day, the idea of ​​renewing the station was born at the ASPP. A five-year agreement was signed with the municipality. The site's fence was changed, and the ASPP decided to reintroduce the archipelago's endangered endemic species into this now-protected area: Melocactus intortus, but also Cephalocerus perivianus (candle cactus), Opuntia dillena (yellow-flowered prickly pear), Opuntia triacantha, known as the flying prickly pear because its thorns break easily and stick to passersby, Plumeria alba, the white frangipani, a few specimens of which still emerge from the cliffs, which are too steep for goats to reach. For three years, observation of these species has indeed shown that the collection is diminishing. "Century-old species are dying," lament the members of the ASPP. Melocactus is also listed in the IUCN Red Data Book, the international organization that lists endangered plants worldwide.
This morning, the members of the ASPP only counted about thirty Triacantha, a single Opuntia Dillena plant, an unfortunate little Melo cactus, and about thirty agaves (Karata or sarsaparilla), which are not endemic to Les Saintes. These species are currently in a nursery at Fort Napoléon. They will then be replanted on Morne Morel to allow younger generations to admire them as well.

For eight For years, Les Saintes, like Marie-Galante, has established a turtle observation network. During the nesting season, from late April to October, a ranger from the coastal conservation agency walks the beaches every night, counting individuals, measuring them, banding them, and identifying the species. Their records are then sent to the "Kap' Natirel" association.
One or two leatherback turtles are spotted each year on the archipelago's beaches, around ten green turtles come to the island, and around thirty hawksbill turtles. Since their protection, these numbers have been increasing. Juveniles are also observed around the island by fishermen who seem to respect this protection.

Les Saintes, nicknamed "The Gibraltar of the West Indies," is above all a bay highly prized by all sailors and Boaters cruising in the warm waters of the Antilles.
Tourists flock to Terre-de-Haut, whose reputation has spread across the ocean thanks to the sailors of the "Jeanne," a military ship that regularly anchored in the bay.

Tourist development on the island, which welcomes approximately 350,000 visitors per year.
The municipal tourism office, a committed player, promotes tourism, preserves heritage, and protects the environment.

Visitors will be impressed by the bright colors adorning the village's traditional huts, and the well-maintained, flower-filled gardens.
The wooden huts adorned with traditional friezes with various motifs make the village a village often referred to as a "doll village."
First stop: opposite the landing stage pontoon; the gendarmerie building, now housing the tourist office, majestically displays its shutters.
Then head along the SAMSON trail... the Marigot, Pompière, and Fort Napoléon await you.
The Hurlevent Hotel Residence, a magnificent, entirely rebuilt house belonging to the Boudin family, is unmissable with its breathtaking view of the Bay of Saintes and its unforgettable sunsets.