A Tapestry of Islands

The French Caribbean—a constellation of islands and territories where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea—represents one of the world's most culturally complex regions. Here, in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, and French Guiana, centuries of human movement have created societies that defy simple categorization.

"We are not French, we are not African, we are not Indian," explains Marie-Céline Lafontaine, a cultural anthropologist from Guadeloupe. "We are all of these and none of these. We are Caribbean, and that identity contains multitudes."

This book invites you to explore these multitudes—not as a distant observer, but through the voices of those who call these islands home. From the bustling markets of Fort-de-France to the quiet fishing villages of Marie-Galante, from the cosmopolitan beaches of Saint-Barth to the Amerindian communities of French Guiana, each location tells a story of resilience, creativity, and constant reinvention.