Where is Martinique

Getting there

Practical info

About the island

The beaches

Places to visit

Sport and activities

Sailing and cruising

Where to stay

Restaurant&Cooking

Rum and enjoyment

Handcrafts&Shopping

The South Caribbean region is the most popular in terms of tourism, due primarily to what are recognized as the most beautiful beaches of Martinique. Despite this popularity, the region maintains its’ Caribbean character with life and color. The villages are concentrated in the zones of Trois Ilets or Three Bays (Point du Bout, Anse Mitan, Anse à l’Ane), Le Diamant, Sainte-Luce and Sainte-Anne.
The inland area is almost entirely dedicated to residential development and agricultural activity merging with the hills, offering enchanting views, quiet walks and a moment to appreciate the local way of life.
 

Trois-Ilets

A small characteristic village with Creole style houses lining the main street.
The rural feel of the village is maintained with the main square reserved for a marketplace, its’ town hall and church where Giuseppina Bonaparte was baptized.
 

Continuing along the main road in a southerly direction you will arrive at la Pointe du Bout with its marina, as well as Anse Mitan and Anse à l’Ane (very tourism oriented area with Martiniques most sophisticated hotels.
A perfect spot from which to take in the night time panorama of fort de France.
 

Ferries for Fort de France

Trois-Ilets is connected to Fort de France by ferry, an extremely comfortable way of visiting Fort de France , saving time and energy and parking!!

Golf Dipartimentale

At Trois Ilets there is also the golf course, Golf Dipartimentale, popular for its’ magnificent ocean-side fairways.

La Maison de la Canne/The House of Cane

[Tue-wed-thu 8.30-17.30  fri-sat  8.30-17.00  sun. 9.00-17.00]

Situated in a former distillery restructured into a museum dedicated to sugar cane, the agricultural product upon which the island’s economy is based. The permanent exhibition of the museum is centered upon the theme “One land, One plane, One People”.

Musée Café&Cacao

[every day 9.00-17.30]

A private museum dedicated to coffee and cacao which form an important part of the island’s history and economic growth. It is housed in the Domaine Chateau Gaillard.

 

Musée de la Pagerie

[Tue-wed-thu-fri 9.00-17.30  sat-sun 9.00-13.00 e 14.30-17.30]

On the site where Marie-Josèphe Rose Tascher of the pagery was born, the Emperess Josephine Bonaparte, there is a small stone building which hosts the museum dedicated to her.
 

La Poterie

A traditional village of potters with many studios and artisans making objects from the local clay. Apart from participating in the creation of a piece you are also encouraged to take the opportunity to buy some original souvenirs. 

Anses d’Arlet

The road to the Anses d’Arlet takes you up and down winding your way through one of the Regional Parks of Martinique. Amongst a kaleidoscope of vibrant flowers the vegetation often breaks to offer up magnificent views.
The two villages, Grande Anse and Petite Anse, are fishing villages which seem to have been lost in time. Although slowly adapting to the modern world the villages maintain their traditional charm and tranquility. The water is calm and perfect for swimming, the sea floor is popular with snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
It’s well worth your while to visit, you could try a plate of Creole or French cuisine in one of the many restaurants to be found along the beach whilst witnessing a classic Caribbean sunset.
 

Le Diamant

A small tourist spot along the beach’s edge offering restaurants and various services. The beach itself is more than 3km long and faces toward the Rocher du Diamant, a picturesque rocky island approximately 3km from the coast scene of historic battles between the French and English navies. As a result the island and its waters are a Mecca for divers.

To find out more…

Sainte-Luce

Sainte-Luce is a small fishing town which has retained it typical Caribbean appeal despite undergoing recent growth in popularity due to its proximity to the beautiful white sandy beaches.
The beaches of Gros Rasin , Corps de Garde and Anse Mabouya are all easily reached on foot by following coastline paths
The Montravail Forest on the hills to the back of the village offers the possibility to take a tranquil stroll and enjoy the cooler air. You will find numerous pleasant restaurants, shops and services along the village’s beachfront road.
 

Distillery Trois Rivières

In the Trois Rivières area, between Diamant and Sainte-Luce, you are encouraged to stop and visit the Distillery Trois Rivières where you can hire quad bikes to explore the plantation or sit back and sample some of the produce.

Rivière-Pilote

Rivière-Pilote is a primarily agricultural community, the largest to the south of Martinique, dedicated to the cultivation of Sugar Cane. Hosting the Foire Agricole every year. The area’s lush vegetation is reminiscent of the northern part of the island. Several km in the direction of the distillery La Mauny you will find a pit that is used on Sundays for Chicken, Snake and manguste fighting.
In the area of Rivière Pilote you find the beautiful beach of Anse Figuier.
 

Ecomusée de la Martinique

[Tues-Fri 0830-1700 Sat and Sun 0900-1700]

At the beach of Anse Figuier the Ecomuseum encourages you to dive into the history of Martinique, from the prehistoric Amerindian period to a reconstruction of domestic life on the island during the 50’s.

La Mauny Distillery

Only a few kilometers from Rivière-Pilote a road leads you across the plantations of Sugar Cane to the Distillery La Mauny. Here you will be guided in the discovery and understanding of the process which takes sugar cane to the production of rum. You can sample and buy the Distillery’s produce.
 

La Foire Agricole or Agricultural Fair

Held every year for three days during the months of March or April by the community of Rivière-Pilote the fair brings together in one place all of the rural spirit of the island. There are demonstrations, auctions, produce and livestock , plants and flowers, handcrafts, dancing and entertainment

The cave of bats

Quite an unusual attraction to be sure. A deep cave set amongst the tropical forest that is home to thousands of bats. Visited at sunset when the bats emerge from the cave like a tidal wave in search of food. To visit the cave please contact the Madkaud family tel:0596.688162

Le Marin

Le Marin is a happy city, protected by a natural bay which acts as one of the island’s principal tourist ports. The city is the administrative capital of the south and thanks to its marina, the port where sail boats and catamarans both local and international moor.
Le Marin is one of the principal places from which to cruise the Caribbean in sail boat. The bars and restaurants of Le Marin bring together visitors of every nationality.
Despite its international guests the area retains much of its traditions and genuine Caribbean charm.
Deserving a mention is the beautiful stone church built in the XVIII Century which looks down across the sea and the marina below, its’ spire reaching into the azure sky in a typically Caribbean scene..
At the marina you can find absolutely everything: supermarkets, pharmacies, medical facilities, nautical refitting and accessory stores, scuba and snorkeling outfitters as well as souvenir shops .
 

Sainte Anne 

The most southern city of Martinique, Sainte Anne is in a beautiful position on the seas’ edge. A lively and colorful place Sainte Anne retains its’ rural Caribbean charm despite intense tourist interest in some of the most beautiful beaches of the south.

In the bay of Sainte Anne the sea is calm and ideal for swimming and snorkeling given the numerous coral formations on the seas floor. The most well known of the area’s beaches is Les Saline, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Martinique.  

visit the South Caribbean Beaches!