Located between the island of Saint Lucia in the North and the island of Dominica in the South, in the heart of the Lesser Antilles, Martinique, commonly called Madinina or the island of flowers, will amaze you between tradition and modernity. Martinique is a set of green and luxuriant volcanic massifs. Mount Pelée, located North Caribbean of the island, near the town of Saint-Pierre remains the highest point and lighthouse of the island where you will be able to devote yourselves to many excursions on the paths of the Trace. Martinique will surprise you by its warm and pleasant side, by its mild tropical and temperate climate and by all the extent of its fauna and flora which marries nicely with the beautiful beaches along the coast. Martinique, which now wants to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be able to make you love it.
Nature and discovery
Managed by the Regional Natural Park of Martinique, the Presqu’île de la Caravelle benefits from a magnificent nature reserve of nearly 400 hectares. Located in Tartane on the Atlantic coast, it is a large area of 12 km where you can, in turn, admire at about 180 meters high, on the Morne Pavillon, Trinité, le Robert and its islets, then continue your visit, go down and make your way in the mangrove until you reach the ruins of the Dubuc castle and reach the lighthouse of the Caravelle. Finally, to end this beautiful excursion on the peninsula, stop at Tartane where the beaches that border the city will welcome you and refresh you with its beautiful waters. Martinique will undoubtedly offer you many other possibilities: Hiking and discovery of unusual places such as the Slave Canal or the Gendarme Jump. You will be able to walk in the heart of the many mornes across the island. Take the time to go to Le Morne Cadet or Le Morne Larcher. Then discover the Montagne du Vauclin or the Montagne Pelée from the bottom of Saint Denis. Other visits not to be missed, the arboretum and the Balata Garden which, in the heart of the tropical forest, gather an incalculable number of tropical plants and trees which gives Martinique its nickname of the island of flowers.
The Litoral
Between the black sand beaches on the north of the island and the white sand beaches further south, the Martinique coastline has a large number of very varied beaches, whether highly visited or more discreet. Anse Couleuvre, located North Caribbean in the commune of Prêcheur, will know how to charm you by its authenticity and its peace. Just like that of Grand Rivière, the last commune the most north and where the road to get there will certainly impress you. The beach of Les Salines, as for it, is a long beach of white sand, transparent water and palm trees. Located near the town of Sainte Anne, it will amaze you with its postcard views. Attention however this beach can be very visited. If you go around Martinique, you will discover a coastline full of nuances. The Trace des Caps and its 34 km of shoreline, coves, its beautiful beaches and marinas on the south of the island, The Petrification Savannah which will surprise you with its lunar landscape near Sainte-Anne which runs along the seaside, the coves of Arlets, a small paradise with its church photographed a thousand times after passing through the Diamond and its Rock. Then, if you go up the east coast to the north, you will pass all the Pointe Faula, a perfect place for surf lovers, the Eastern Cape and the Robert with its many islets, ideal for boat trips and discover this unusual place called the Joséphine Bathtub.
History, Heritage, Art & Culture
The culture of Martinique is inseparable from its history. No matter which commune you visit, there will always be a place - a history. The Ruins of Saint-Pierre and you will be immersed in the year 1902 when Montagne Pelée woke up and destroyed the then capital. Today Saint-Pierre is shining again and the municipality is active in the economic development of the island. The Fort Saint-Louis at Fort de France and you will imagine seeing a cargo decided to protect the inhabitants of the colony at the time of Louis XIV. Go further south and at the bend in the road leading to The Diamond Rock you will see a small hut called La Maison du Bagnard, not far from Cap 110, Anse Caffard Memorial, in homage to the victims of the last shipwreck of the slave ship in the history of Martinique. Before arriving in the South of the island you will certainly have passed by the Domaine de la Pagerie, a three islets estate, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and which was the family home of Empress Josephine. You will be able, on the road that connects the town of Rivière salée to the commune of Trois-ilets, to visit the village of the pottery, an old sugar factory of the XVIIth century which will specialize in the XVIIIth century in the manufacture of bricks, tiles and various objects. You will see and admire the many churches such as the Cathedral Saint Louis of Fort-de-France rebuilt by the architect Pierre-Henri Picq in 1891, The church of Balata called la petite Montmartre, the church of Anses d'Arlet and that of Sainte-Marie, and the church of Case Pilote which is the oldest church in Martinique and many others in each commune of Martinique. Finally, famous architectural buildings are to be contemplated or visited such as the Victor Schœlcher in Fort de France, the Departmental Archives in Le Morne Tartenson, in case you would like to learn more about the history of Martinique, the Chamber of Commerce or the ruins of the theatre and old buildings of Saint-Pierre, the Cour Perrinon and the town hall of Fort de France. Art and culture are also very present through the traditional or more contemporary music played by Mario Canonge, El Mamey, Victor O, Kalash or Princess Lover. Dances, exhibitions, plays, jazz music festivals and other varied and variable entertainment following the periods of the year are also b present. Finally do not hesitate to visit the many museums that Martinique has to offer. As an example, let us name the Gauguin Museum, the Museum of the Father Pinchon, the Museum of the rum, the Museum of the cane, the Museum of the banana... The carnival of Martinique which has nothing to envy the carnival of Brazil, which usually takes place in February / March each year. This festival is prepared over the course of a year and the festivities begin every weekend after the Christmas holidays and reach their peak on Shrove Saturday until Ash Wednesday. Finally, Martinique combines itself with the present and renews itself every day to be economically avant-garde thanks to its modern infrastructures : the Lumina tower dominating Fort de France, the Simon tower, the new tram linking the airport to the city centre of Fort de France, the architectural bridge of Prêcheur are only a few beautiful examples.
Cuisine and local specialities
The richness of its cuisine (combining tradition and modernity) is sure to amaze your taste buds and the quality of its rums and spirits, regularly rewarded at a national and international level, will surprise you with their aromas. Don't miss to visit the Saint-James distillery in Sainte-Marie and the Clément house in Le François. It is certain that you will leave with a few purchases of these precious nectars. If you are sweeter, Lauzea or Cito, local entrepreneurs, will make you taste their local know-how in terms of local chocolates or yoghurts.
Our must-haves :
- Fort de France and its downtown - The Caravelle Peninsula - The three islets - The coves of Arlets - Saint Pierre - The Diamond - Josephine bathtub
We could tell you about Martinique and its people tirelessly, but we think the best thing is for you to come and discover this beautiful island for yourselves and become its best ambassadors. So we say see you soon in Martinique and welcome you with a : "Nou Kontan Wvè Zot !".
