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What to do and what to see in Martinique? These must-see sites and activities

2023-05-07T05:46:52.046Z


Located in the heart of the arc of the Lesser Antilles, Martinique is a real treasure of the Caribbean: for a long time, "the island of flowers" has been able to retain travelers eager for authenticity, and continues to reinvent itself.


Immerse yourself in the history of the island in Fort-de-France

The Schœlcher library is also a must.

Marie Dufay / Le Figaro

The capital of Martinique, nestled in a pretty bay, will delight lovers of history and architecture.

Fort

Saint-Louis

, an impressive 17th-century Vauban-style fortress on which iguanas run, keeps intact the vestiges of Franco-English rivalries of the colonial era.

With its superb facade of glass and iron, mixing Romano-Byzantine, Art Nouveau, Egyptian and neoclassical influences, the

Schœlcher library

(brilliant humanist campaigning for the abolition of slavery to be synonymous with access to culture for all) is also unavoidable.

Designed by Pierre-Henri Picq – to whom we also owe the

Saint-Louis cathedral

or the picturesque

Grand Marché

, installed under a huge hall with a metal structure – it was built in 1887 in the Tuileries gardens, and transported by boat to Martinique six years later.

To discover

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Become an expert on rum at Distillerie Clément

It was in Martinique that agricultural rum was invented.

Marie Dufay / Le Figaro

It was in Martinique that agricultural rum was invented, thanks to Father Labat's revolutionary still.

Multi-medal winner, the Martinican nectar - which has 50 to 62 degrees of alcohol - is exported all over the world.

A visit to Habitation Clément, transformed into a distillery in 1917, teaches you all the secrets of the only eau-de-vie that comes from the stem of a plant: sugar cane.

This vast agricultural domain, endowed with a superb tropical garden and a colonial residence decorated with antique mahogany furniture, can be discovered during a guided audio circuit among the steam engines or the aging cellars.

A Foundation for contemporary Caribbean art also offers permanent and temporary exhibitions in a beautiful space.

The Neisson distillery, in Le Carbet, is also worth a visit,

Get drunk on tropical nature at the Domaine d'Émeraude

This eco-museum offers an immersion in Martinican nature, thanks to marked trails crossing the park and the Marie Dufay / Le Figaro rainforest.

In the middle of the mountainous landscape of Mount Pelee, the

Emerald Estate

is a large park set up for visitors.

In a magical setting, this ecomuseum offers an immersion in Martinican nature, thanks to marked trails crossing the park and the humid forest, allowing you to observe a hundred endemic species such as the white gum tree, the mountain palm, the tree fern or the red balisier.

There are also greenhouses, where anthuriums and rare medicinal plants grow, some of which are endangered.

In the Exploration Pavilion, you learn about the natural history of the island, from the formation of the soil to the incredible richness of the local fauna and flora.

Martinique is a major center of biodiversity in the world, and in 2021 obtained the title of UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Another green alternative:

Dome

) of

Grande Savane

, at Le Prêcheur, an exciting educational site with accommodation, walks and exhibitions to discover volcanology and biodiversity.

Hike on the Caravelle peninsula

Located on the Atlantic coast of Martinique, the peninsula of Caravelle owes its particularity to the twelve kilometers of advance in the ocean which constitute it and to the spectacular and omnipresent fusion of panoramas between land and sea. Marie Dufay / Le Figaro

The Caravelle reserve juts out for about ten kilometers in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Its 422 hectares reveal to the hiker herbaceous savannahs, dry forests, mangroves and bocage.

Nearly 150 plant species and 80 bird species thrive here.

The longest path leads to the Caravelle lighthouse, from where the panorama is breathtaking.

At the heart of the reserve, the ruins of Château Dubuc - an 18th century sugar and coffee plantation which lived in virtual self-sufficiency - tell the dark story of its Norman owner who landed here to escape the musketeers of the King of France following a duel, and which prospered thanks to the traffic of goods and slaves.

Bubble on a paradise beach

Martinique inevitably evokes dream beaches, like here, that of Diamant.

Adobe Stock

Martinique inevitably evokes dream beaches bathed in turquoise water and coconut trees in shambles.

If the

Salines beach

is the best known of these "postcards", you will also find what you are looking for at

Cap Chevalier

or Le

Diamant

.

Anse

Dufour

and

Anse Noire

, at

Anses d'Arlet

, are also a splendor, and turtles are observed there.

Grand and Petit Macabou

are more secretive and wild.

At Le Prêcheur, the

cove Couleuvre

, close to a waterfall, displays an exotic ash-coloured sand.

The ideal is to embark with the fishermen from the ports of François or Robert to explore the shoals and banks of white sand ("Josephine's bathtub" is the most famous) before enjoying a grilled lobster on deck.

You can practice snorkeling, and rent water skis, jet skis and even seabobs, on many beaches.

Enjoy countless water activities

Its maritime heritage is still very much alive thanks to the skiff races, traditional fishing boats.

Marie Dufay / Le Figaro

With its 350 km of coastline, Martinique is of course a paradise for nautical activities: the warm trade winds blow there three quarters of the year, and the sea temperature is a minimum of 26°C.

It appeals to sailing enthusiasts of course (cruising, or light sailing like the sports catamaran), but also offers an enchanting playground for those who prefer diving, kitesurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding or even wingfoil.

Its maritime heritage is still very much alive thanks to skiff races, traditional fishing boats recognized as UNESCO World Intangible Heritage;

For 40 years, every year in July, “the Tour des Yoles” has been a colorful sporting event not to be missed.

Three tables where to feast

Martinican cuisine is rich and gourmet, reflecting its Amerindian, European, African and Indian influences.

Among the countless restaurants on the island, here are three that particularly seduced us.

Agap'peyi'a

Agap'peyi'a au

François

: a table d'hôtes (every evening from Thursday to Saturday) in a village on Les Mornes, where chef Pascal Sigere gives pride of place to local and organic products, often cooked over a drink.

Galangal Fish Bar

Galanga Fish Bar in

Fort-de-France

 : creative cuisine based on Martinican seafood.

Every lunchtime, a raw fish and a cooked fish are offered, in a friendly setting.

L'Ajoupa2gros

in

Case-Pilote

 : a safe bet for this gastronomic establishment in an idyllic setting facing the sea, with a bistro and a rum bar.

From creamy sea urchins to semi-cooked cassava-crusted tuna, everything is delicious!

More information

on the website of the Martiniquais Tourism Committee.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2023-05-07

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