A real postcard on its own, Martinique invites you to rest in a splendid setting, alternating clear sandy beaches, coconut palms and the turquoise sea. Historical, cultural and sporting, Martinique has all the necessary information to make your stay in the heart of the Caribbean a dream come true.
Bordered to the west by the Caribbean Sea and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, Martinique, also known as "Flower Island" and the natural destination par excellence for holidaymakers in search of fresh air and adventure. Along its 350 kilometres of magnificent coastline, there are coves, coves of volcanic sand, crystal clear water lagoons and serrated cliffs, where hikers and thrill-seekers are used to coming.
Fort-de-France is a must: capital of the island, this very lively city is appreciated for its markets (Spice Market or Grand Marché), its shops, but also for its historical sites such as Saint-Louis Cathedral, Fort Royal (now the naval naval base), the former Palais de Justice, or the superb Schoelcher Library.
Martinique is also the ideal place for a relaxing break at the beach. The island is full of beautiful beaches, and it is likely that you will find the perfect place to bubble under the sun. The most famous? The one in the Salines. Close to Sainte-Anne, its white sand, coconut palms and turquoise water make it a perfect idyllic setting in which everyone dreams of diving. The Diamant beach (on the peninsula of the same name) is also worth a visit, for its magnificent panoramas on the Diamant rock. Very popular with skiers and snowboarders, it is an essential spot for bodyboarders and kitesurfers. The superb Anse Couleuvre will be perfect for snorkeling, the beach of Le Carbet and its panoramic view of Mount Pelee will dazzle you, as will Pointe Marin, Anse Céron and its black sand, Pointe Faula and its clear waters, when the Arlet coves will be ideal for fish and turtle watching.
As for the cities, we will gladly opt for an escapade to Saint-Pierre, completely destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902, for Cabret, famous for its Butterfly Garden (it is here that Paul Gauguin lived in 1887, and that Christopher Columbus landed in 1502), for the modern seaside resort of La Pointe du Bout, Sainte-Anne and its hiking trails, or for the small fishing village of Tartane, just beside La Trinité.
For more natural excursions, we can only recommend a visit to the Balata Garden: inseparable from the history of Martinique, this jewel in the middle of the tropical forest will amaze you with its splendid vegetation (more than 3000 species of tropical flowers and plants) and the hundreds of hummingbirds that inhabit this extraordinary place. The Route de la Trace links Morne-Rouge to Fort-de-France over some thirty kilometres: this hiking route is certainly the most famous on the island. Through the tropical forest, you will be able to contemplate impressive views of the vegetation and the sea, but also to discover breathtaking sites such as the waterfall of the Gendarme jump, the white river and the spa of Absalon. Experienced walkers? The ascent of Mount Pelée is a must during your stay in Martique. Still active, this volcano is one of the island's landmarks, reaching its coasts from the top of its 1395 metres above sea level. To contemplate the panorama from its summit, several itineraries are recommended, such as the Grande Savane trail, the Aileron trail, or the routes from Macouba and Grand Rivière.
Finally, when passing through Martinique, it is impossible to miss the delights of local gastronomy. Why don't you go around the rums shops? The Trois-Rivières distillery in Sainte-Luce and the Depaz distillery in Saint-Pierre are among the most famous. As for the plate, fish and seafood will be on the menu, with cod in particular, which can be enjoyed in acras, langoustines and crab. Chicken Colombo, blanc-mange, fierce avocado, lamb, pineapple pork, bondamanjak, black pudding, boucané chicken, but also guavas, bananas, apple cinnamon, sweet potato, carambola and manioc are at the rendez-vous of all the good tables.
