The «island of flowers», a sumptuous French department in the heart of the Caribbean, often evokes a paradise of nature, greenery and tranquility. Renowned for its luxuriance, beaches, seabed, sweet fruit, rum and hedonic rhythm. Martinique has not finished giving its visitors its real batch of postcards.
Beach, beach, beach…
The verdant "island of flowers" has two maritime facades. To the east, that of the Atlantic Ocean has major marine currents. West, the calmer Caribbean Sea is the mythical décor that our imaginary often lending to the Caribbean. Turquoise sea, beautiful seabed, fine sandy beaches, coconut trees, coves and mountains plunging into the wave: these images are very real! You will find them on the south coast of the Caribbean Sea, between Sainte-Anne and La Grande Anse. In particular in Saint Luce: It is surrounded by beautiful beaches and the sun is (almost) guaranteed. The five beaches west of Saint Luce village, in the direction of Trois-Rivières, are more beautiful than others. They are connected by a hiking trail and offer an enchanting setting. Located in "anses", charming small coves sheltered from strong marine currents through the canal Saint Lucia, the island opposite, they are calm and safe. Gros Raisin has several restaurants of delicious Creole cuisine, on the beach terrace. From there, you can join the desert anse by walking 4 km. Pont-Café has a water base and therefore all the infrastructure for leisure at sea. Guard Corps is the largest beach in Sainte-Luce, when Le Marin has a remarkable traditional architecture. Under a straw on the seafront or in a hammock under coconut trees, what is more pleasant than eating a grill in front of the sunset?
Sainte-Anne, less intimate than Saint Luce but with the most beautiful beaches in the country, is the tourist capital of Martinique. It is extremely well-equipped in infrastructure, and it is a huge, organized one! The Salines beach is perhaps the best known on the island. Zouk evenings, with disco on the beach, profusion and other pleasures are another turbulent and festive version of the Martiniquic hedonism!
Atlantic or Caribbean coast, sport or fun, it's time to choose…
If the mild Caribbean pleasures are too calm, the tumult is not in Martinique. All we have to do is go to the Atlantic beaches, which promise rolls and currents. For those who want to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean quietly, sail, kayak or Hobie Cat await you all over the coast. The most reckless will take you to nautical skiing, surfing and kitesurf. Cap-Chevalier and Le François are the most popular places to surf according to the wind.
Martinique, with wonderful submarine funds, is also a popular destination for diving. The Anlet-d 'Arlet is a privileged place to discover the turtles and the emblematic barracuda which can measure up to two meters. In a different genre, the Diamant rock on the southern coast of the Caribbean offers a magnificent spectacle. And in the same bay, Iron-au-Cheval is one of the best places to discover the Corallian plateau.
To end the blue recreation offered by the beautiful Caribbean, we must recommend a real sea trip, by boat. Pointe-du-Bout is one of the main starting points for a sea trip: We sail the day along the coast of the coast; often we taste a delicious Creole meal on the side of Grande Anse, before returning to Pointe-du-Bout. A beautiful overview on the island view of the sea.
If you have the sea foot, you can also rent your own sailboat and take a longer cruise across the Caribbean towards the island of Saint Lucia or farther towards the Grenadines Islands. Finally, for those who do not wish to dive, there are glass-bottomed boats!
Martinique Green
Martinique is not only open to sea enthusiasts. With four major mountains, the highest of which is Pelee Mountain, with a generous rugged terrain, lush vegetation and splendid panoramas, the island is also ready for hiking. With marked trails (130 km), quality guides and appropriate infrastructure, hiking is all the more appropriate as many places are only accessible on foot. Therefore, hiking is also a way to discover the island in depth.
The North West is the most suitable area for hiking. Mountainous, rugged, wet and lush, it is rich in summits, gorges, rivers, waterfalls. The most famous hikes are the ascension of the mountain Pelee, from the Preacher, or from the Larcher morn, from Le Diamant; Tropical landscapes are breathtaking. The «mornes» are these steep volcanic mountains of the interior of the country. You will often fall on majestic waterfalls in the middle of the tropical forest surrounded by lush flora and fauna.
Those who are less sporty can also taste the beauty of the landscape. The Saut of the Gendarme, this magnificent waterfall is a popular picnic place. You can also visit the gorgeous gorges of the Falaise, close to Additions-Bouillon…
In the rum country
Once the natural wonders of the island have been swamped, it will remain to look at its other hedonism, a human production that makes every corner of the earth dream! Sweet, tasty, Martinique's rum is a flagship of its economy, one of the reasons for its current demography, because slaves from Africa have been brought to work in the sugar cane plantations that produce it.
Slavery has been abolished, but the sugar economy continues to work, and it would be difficult to return from a stay in Martinique without having tasted its nectar! You can also make exciting visits.
Near Fort de France, you can visit the distillery La Favorite, which dates from the nineteenth century. In the north-west of the island you have to visit those of Depaz and Neisson, as well as their plantations. In the southwest, you will taste the delicious rum of La Mauny distillery. The nail on the theme of rum will probably be Sainte-Marie, in the northeast, which has the most famous rhine in the French Antilles, Saint James, where the history of straw rum can be discovered. To conclude a stay with a sign of relaxation, sun, nature, sugar and hedonism!
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When is it? Throughout the year, the island enjoys a mild and pleasant climate: 26 ° C on average, 3,000 hours of annual sunshine. From December to April, this is the high tourist season (because it is bad weather in the metropolis); The hollow season is from May to November.
Go there. The return ticket for return tickets Paris CDG - Fort de France, proposed by XL Airways, is 435 €. Count 8 hours of flight.
XL AIRWAYS - More information on the site
AIR FRANCE - More information on the site
Useful. To best prepare his trip.
MARTINIQUE TOURISM - More information on the site
