Check out these newbies in our French Overseas Destinations including new flight routes, new hotels and new attractions! If you’re looking for luxury eco-resorts, a new look at the equatorial rocket launchers of French Guiana, a new hiking trail on the southern hemisphere or a new way to explore the underside of the turquoise oceans, these destinations will have something on offer for you.
New Flight Routes
French Caribbean
Air France
Since November 2011, Air France has strengthened its position in the French West Indies by opening new weekly flights from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, to Fort-de-France in Martinique and Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. This has added to its existing routes from Paris Orly Airport, and facilitates the passage towards the Caribbean from many of Europe’s cities.
New Accommodation
French Polynesia
The Brando Hotel, Tetiaroa
The luxury eco-resort “The Brando” will subscribe to the logic of sustainable development. The resort, which is still under construction on the Island of Tetiaroa, will house 41 rooms, an eco-research station, and a spa. It will be equipped with the latest in green technology, with the objective of becoming autonomous in its energy needs, using only renewable energy sources: Sea-Water Air-Conditioning (SWAC), solar energy, bio fuels…
The hotel is aiming for the Platinum Level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, which is the highest level and requires an adherence to the strictest construction and management criteria. The Brando’s ambition is to show the feasibility of a luxury hotel in an isolated, insular area, whilst following the thinking of sustainable development. It also hopes to preserve the island of Tetiaroa which was, for centuries, a place reserved only for the Kings of Tahiti.
Saint-Martin
The Karibuni Lodge
The Karibuni Lodge on the North-West of the island has just opened. At the gates of the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve, it is a dream spot to see the island in all its natural glory. This guest house looks out over Cul-de-Sac Bay and its three islands (Little Key, Pinel and Tintamarre). Right next to the hotel, on the Pinel islet, is the Wakawa Eco-Klub, which has a multitude of nautical and land activities to help you fully explore all aspects of this paradise environment.
Guadeloupe Islands
The Toubana Hotel & Spa and the Jardin de Malanga Hotel
Two of the Des Hôtels et des Iles hotel group (La Toubana Hôtel & Spa and Le Jardin de Malanga) have been awarded a certificate of excellence by TripAdvisor (the web’s largest evaluation and comment site). In order to receive this distinction an establishment must be given an average scoring of 4 out of 5, by customers publishing their opinions on TripAdvisor.
New Leisure Activities
Saint-Martin
H2O
H2O is a unique concept which allows a greater number of people (including children, the elderly and disabled people) to enjoy the underwater world without any constraints, and in shallow water. There is no need to know how to swim.
Leaving from Galisbay beach or the Fort Louis Marina, you board an H20 catamaran and can choose your activities:
-“Bubbles”: heading down to a depth of 4m, in an aquatic lift, with an oxygen supplied transparent bubble around your head, you can then explore the ocean’s bed on foot.
-“EZ Diving”: with breathing equipment linked directly to the boat and a mask and flippers, you can discover the marine life.
-“Snorkelling”: with a mask, flippers and a breathing tube you can swim freely.
Guiana
Kourou, The Garden of the Stars
The Guyanese Space Centre changed its public visit circuits on the 4 July 2011. There are now three different options:
-Circuit 1 gives visitors a view of the whole range of Soyouz, Vega and Ariane 5 launchers.
-Circuit 2 focuses on the Soyouz launchers and takes place twice a week (Monday and Wednesday afternoons).
-Circuit 3 offers a look at the Ariane 5 and Vega launchers every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
This programme of visits marks a new start in the life of the Space Centre, along with the arrival of 2 new Soyouz and Vega launchers.
New Caledonia
The French Hiking Federation has validated the second leg of the GRNC1 trail between Ouénarou and Dumbéa. A further three legs are planned for 2012 connecting Nassirah and Boulouparis, as well as Ouipoin and La Foa, making a total of 33km more, with 3 new mountain huts. In the future it will mean a path to the northernmost point of Grande Terre Island. 4 stages making a total of 68km are already under construction between Ponérihouen and Touho on the east coast.
A new classification!
Martinique
Fort de France Bay is classed amongst the most beautiful in the world
Fort-de-France Bay, also known as “Baie des Flamands”, entered the closed circle of the world’s most beautiful bays during the 2011 World Travel Market in London. The protected area is home to almost 1,000 endemic species.
Want to find out what else is coming up in these areas? Make sure to join us at our 12 June event where you will not only be able to discuss these newbies in detail with the destinations, but you will also be able to find out what other delights you can enjoy!