Matouba, above Saint-Claude

What to see

The Matouba waterfall (about 1 h 20 return, with a slippery river section; swimming not advised), the rustic hot baths (1.5 hours’ walk from the forest house), and the memorial to Louis Delgrès, who chose death here on 28 May 1802 rather than submit to the restoration of slavery.

Rivers on Basse-Terre can rise very fast: do not go after heavy rain or if a storm is forecast, and leave the riverbed immediately if the water turns murky or leaves and branches start coming down. Swimming may also be temporarily banned (floods, water quality): follow the signs on site.