Guadeloupe: Discovery, Slavery, Memory and Identity

Led by Professors Brenton Hobart & Franck Andrianarivo Rakotobe

CL/FR3032 – The Monstrous Renaissance
FR2103 –French IV Francophone Identities and Cultures on Screen 
FR2200 – French and Cultures V 4. 
CL1025CCI – The World, The Text, and the Critic I

Explore Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean island that played a key role during the Age of Great Discoveries (1492–1600)—a place that witnessed the “destruction” of its indigenous people and the arrival of an enslaved African workforce. Known as l’île papillon (“Butterfly Island”) for its shape, Guadeloupe is far more complex than its postcard image suggests. Beyond beaches, waterfalls, mangroves, coves, and La Soufrière volcano, its landscapes, literature, and languages bear traces of colonial history. Explore pre-Columbian sites at Trois-Rivières and former sugarcane plantations and rum distilleries such as Bologne or Longueteau. Visit Les marches aux esclaves, the slave cemetery, and the Mémorial ACTe—sites inviting reflection on a past that continues to shape the island’s vibrant cultural identity.

Trip cost: €1,995
Includes round trip transportation to the destination, accommodation with breakfast, one group meal, local visits, professors trip cost and VAT.

Last day to register/cancel: January 18, 2026 • Late cancelation fee: Full cost of the trip
Payment for study trips must be made no later than January 30 for the Spring 2026 semester. Any concerns in this regard should be addressed to the Cultural Program Office and Student Accounting Services.