Best places to visit in Martinique
Discover the wonders of Martinique: from the volcano Mont Pelée to plantations, from fishing villages to rum distilleries, and beautiful waterfalls surrounded by tropical forests.
The French Antilles are a group of Caribbean islands that are part of the overseas territories of France. The main islands are Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin.
The official language is French, but many inhabitants also speak the local Creole and the currency is the EURO.
In the French Antilles, colonial architecture blends with Afro-Caribbean traditions, creating a unique atmosphere. Here, sunny beaches surrounded by lush nature await you, as well as warm, crystal-clear waters.
In addition to the magnificent landscapes typical of the Caribbean, a trip to the French West Indies will introduce you to the vibrant Creole culture: charming, gourmand and playful, which is best expressed in its colourful architecture, local museums, festivals, arts and, of course, gastronomy.
The French Antilles, therefore, are fascinating for their relaxing climate, their paradisiacal landscapes and their fascinating local culture. Those in search of azure lagoons and golden sandy beaches to admire the sunsets will find unforgettable memories on a trip to the French West Indies.
It is also worth emphasising the convenience for citizens of the European Economic Community to travel using only their identity card. In fact, the French West Indies are to all intents and purposes French territory and no passport is needed for access, only for European citizens.
With a rich past and numerous museums, Martinique, also called the flower island, is the perfect destination to discover the French West Indies.
One only has to visit the Balata Botanical Garden, with its 3000 tropical plants and flowers, to understand the origin of its nickname. Its lush flora and tropical vegetation blend perfectly with its paradisiacal beaches, highlighting Mount Pelée, Martinique’s famous volcano.
To immerse yourself in the historical heritage of the French West Indies, make a stop at Fort de France, one of the island’s main ports, where you can discover the island’s pre-Columbian and colonial past and admire its many historical sites and monuments such as the old courthouse or the Saint-Louis Cathedral (classified a Historical Monument since 1990) and its remarkable bell tower.
Far from the hustle and bustle of big cities, the calm and gentle landscapes await you in the sun or in the shade of palm trees. Its white, golden or black beaches, characterised by crystal-clear waters and postcard-perfect landscapes, will leave you breathless: for example, that of Salines, near Saint-Anne, as well as Carbet beach with a splendid view of Mont Pelée.
Finally, sea lovers will be able to explore these paradisiacal waters by speedboat on a wave ride. This will be an opportunity to snorkel or watch dolphins. For those who prefer trips by sailboat, monohull or multihull, they will be an opportunity to share sweet moments of conviviality, particularly around the Îlets du Robert: there are ten of them, known for their white backdrops, their rare and protected fauna and flora, and their coral reefs, enclosed in one of the most beautiful bays in the French Antilles.
Heavenly beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, refreshing waterfalls and breathtaking panoramas: if you want to discover the French West Indies, you cannot miss Guadeloupe, also known as Butterfly Island because of its particular shape.
Although very different from each other, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre will be two essential stops during your stay. Hiking enthusiasts are sure to enjoy Basse-Terre, the hilliest part of the island, where waterfalls and tropical forests line the hiking trails. The latter, as numerous as they are diverse, lead to the no less famous Soufrière volcano.
Those who prefer to get in touch with the local culture will be fascinated by Grande-Terre. This part of the island is much drier, but no less surprising. The villages are full of local stories and colourful fishermen’s houses. We recommend taking some time to sample the gastronomy and specialities of the Creole culture.
A tour of the towns will immerse you in the colourful stalls and exquisite aromas of the Point-à-Pitre market. Further on, you can stroll through the alleys of Saint-Anne dating back to the 17th century.
Moreover, the world of the sugar industry awaits you in Marie Galante, or that of the vestiges of the colonial era in Basse-Terre or Saint-Claude. The fascinating history of Guadeloupe is present everywhere, as much to admire as to listen to.
Les Saintes is a small archipelago in the south of Guadeloupe, consisting of several uninhabited islets and two main inhabited islands, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas.
Les Saintes offers an idyllic setting with its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and green hills. Explore charming fishing villages, the Fort Napoléon for breathtaking panoramic views and relax on secluded beaches such as Pompierre beach and Pain de Sucre beach.
Les Saintes is also renowned for its excellent diving and snorkelling spots, which offer an unforgettable underwater experience.
If you are looking for a corner of the West Indies off the usual beaten track, head to St-Martin: a little paradise that is both French and Dutch. This dual nationality offers a pleasant contrast between the festive Dutch west and the lazy French east.
The towns are made up of Creole huts and duty-free shops. The beaches and their crystal-clear waters, set against a dreamlike backdrop, are a perfect playground for water sports enthusiasts.
The capital Marigot offers a relaxed atmosphere along the streets full of street art, Orient Bay takes on the role of the Saint-Trop’ of the Caribbean, Pic Paradis dominates the island, and the coastline embraces remarkable nature reserves.
If you decide to discover the French Antilles, one of the must-see stops is Saint Barthélemy. Some say it is the billionaires’ island: spread over only 25 km², it is far from mass tourism and is much loved for this very reason.
Like all the islands of the French West Indies, Saint-Barthélemy offers dream landscapes. No fewer than 22 beaches await you there, notably Shell Beach or Anse de Colombier, which remain completely hidden from view.
For social life, you must go to Gustavia, the capital. You will be fascinated by the red-roofed houses and its pretty marina, which brings with it a unique liveliness, as well as many monuments or places that deserve attention such as the Governor’s House, Fort Gustav and Fort Karl or the Wall House.
Just like on the other islands of the French West Indies, you can meet the locals in the many fishing villages. Stop off in Corossol for a visit to the 9000-shell museum or climb the Col de la Tourmente in Saint-Jean and Flamands, a picturesque, rural village that will appeal to those seeking tranquillity.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The Antilles have a temperate tropical climate thanks to the trade winds, the sea breezes that blow regularly on these Caribbean islands. December to April is the dry season, which coincides with the high tourist season where prices are higher: by booking your trip to the Antilles in advance, you can still find an inexpensive stay.
Spring to autumn is the low season: the climate is also wetter and many expats in mainland France return to the islands to visit their families.
Renowned or more secluded, with white, golden or black sand, lined with coconut palms or more lush vegetation, the beaches of the French Antilles are an invitation to relax, have fun and try a variety of water sports.
You will be enchanted by the picture-postcard colours and pristine beauty of dream beaches. Banks of fine sand create a veritable constellation of magnificent beaches. The choice is vast and each island has its own peculiarities.
Creole culture is omnipresent in the Antilles and in all fields: painting, music, dance, literature, sculpture, theatre. The West Indian carnival, which takes place in both Guadeloupe and Martinique, brings all these aspects together with its traditional instruments, colourful dresses and songs.
The population itself is characterised by an incredible mixture and diversity: you can meet descendants of Africans, Europeans, Native Americans or Asians, all strongly influenced by Creole and Caribbean culture.
The Creole language is the result of a mix of several languages. In the past, it enabled slaves to communicate with each other and with their masters: over time, it became a language in its own right. Antillan Creole is based in particular on spoken French and African languages and is very close to the Creoles of Guyana and Haiti.
A trip to the Antilles is the perfect opportunity to discover water sports. The gentle Caribbean Sea and the rushing Atlantic Ocean are particularly perfect places for diving. You will encounter marine life in all its splendour: turtles in Anses d’Arlet, singing whales in Guadeloupe, wrecks in Saint-Martin and even caves in Saint-Barthélemy.
The whole range of water sports is also an essential activity in the Antilles: sea trips to discover the coasts of Guadeloupe and Martinique, snorkelling, scuba diving to observe the colourful and varied fauna of the Antilles seabed.
Surfing is also popular and you will find several spots with favourable winds for surfing, both in Martinique and Guadeloupe such as Anse Bonneville in Tartane, Baie du Moule or Anse Bertrand. For windsurfing in Martinique, we recommend the beaches of Anse Michel or Pointe-du-Bout. If you want to kayak in Guadeloupe, the Pigeon Islands.
If you like walking, you can easily go hiking in Guadeloupe thanks to the 300 km of marked trails and, in Martinique, as the island also has 180 km of trails. These two overseas territories will allow you to discover breathtaking landscapes between sea, mountains and tropical forest.
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