Guadeloupe

Colorful French promotional brochure of Guadeloupe.

The archipelago of Guadeloupe has been a part of France since 1635, originally as a Caribbean possession but upgraded to an overseas department after WWII and an official French region in 1974. It was likely shortly after that status change that this promotional brochure was issued by the French Office of Guadeloupe Tourism.

The bloody colonial battles, plantation slavery, and violent independent movements of the 17th – 20th centuries are overlooked in favor of a tranquil island paradise. Beautiful women are illustrated amid lush fauna and brightly colored animals. Only two cities – Point a Pitre and Basse-Terre – are labeled, further alluding to the notion of a secluded getaway.

An indistinguishable artist’s signature, perhaps Fr. Schlegel, can be seen in the corner. Six different excursions with maps and itineraries are printed in French on the verso.