Martinique
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Martinique - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Habitation Clément
Get a glimpse into Martinique's colonial past at this estate and rum distillery, the site of a former sugar cane plantation. Visitors are given a multilingual audio headset, which explains tour highlights. Signage further describes the rum-making process and other aspects of plantation life. The Palm Grove, with an avenue of palms and park benches, is a delightful place to reflect; the contemporary sculpture is fascinating. It was all built with the wealth generated by its rum distillery, and its 18th-century splendor has been lovingly preserved. The plantation's Creole house illustrates the adaption to life in the tropics up through the 20th century. An early French typewriter, a crank-up telephone, and decades-old photos of the Cléments and Hayots (béké families), are juxtaposed with modern Afro-Caribbean art. The newest building houses an art gallery that showcases contemporary, Caribbean art, and sculpture. Enjoy the free tastings at the bar of the retail shop. Consider the Canne Bleu, Grappe Blanche, or one of the aged rums, some bottled as early as 1952. Children get a discount. Also, allow 1½–2 hours to see everything. The ticket office closes at 5.
Domaine de l'Acajou, Le François, n/a Martinique, 97240, Martinique0596-54–62–07Sight Details
Rate Includes: €12 -
2. La Distillerie J. M.
J. M. offers the most innovative and contemporary exhibits in addition to tastings. Long considered to be among the top echelon of Martinique rums, it does not have the same name recognition as some of the other popular labels, like Clément, for example. That is partly because J. M.'s best rhum vieux is considerably more expensive than your average bottle. The 10-year-old vintages (44.8 proof) truly rival France’s fine cognacs, and a tasting is among the complimentary offerings that are available. Displays allow you to inhale the various aromas of the products, from vanilla and orange to almonds and exotic fruits. Some of the visuals are very high-tech. It is said that J. M. rum is made special by the pure mountain water of Macouba, where the outstanding rain forest is among the only sightseeing options. Plan to couple a visit to this destination distillery with one to Carbet and St. Pierre, then the Depaz Distillery, in time to take lunch at their fine restaurant. Then proceed to J. M. It is best to either have a designated driver, or hire an English-speaking driver for a half or full day.
Macouba, n/a Martinique, 97218, Martinique0596-78–92–55Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
3. Les Fonds Blancs
Offshore from Le François, les fonds blancs baths draw snorkelers to the privately owned Ilets de l'Impératrice. The islands received that name because, according to legend, this is where Empress Joséphine Bonaparte came to bathe in the shallow basins, known as les fonds blancs because of their white-sand bottoms. Group boat tours leave from the harbor and include lunch and drinks and one can even buy a package that includes an overnight stay on the remote and romantic Îlet Oscar. Prices vary. You can also haggle with a fisherman to take you out for a while on his boat. There's a fine bay 6 miles (10 km) farther along the coast where you can swim and go kayaking. The town itself is rather lackluster but authentic, and you'll find a number of different shops, a gas station, and supermarkets.
Le François, n/a Martinique, Martinique -
4. Ajoupa-Bouillon
A good day trip from nearby St-Pierre, this 17th-century village surrounded by pineapple fields and filled with flowers is the jumping-off point for several sights. The Saut Babin, a 40-foot waterfall, is a half-hour walk from Ajoupa-Bouillon. The Gorges de la Falaise is a river gorge where you can swim.
St-Pierre, n/a Martinique, 97216, Martinique -
5. Anse Corps de Garde
On the southern Caribbean coast, this is one of the island's best long stretches of white sand. The public beach has picnic tables, restrooms, seagrape trees (which offer some shade), and crowds on weekends, when you'll also usually find plenty of food vendors. During the week, the beach is much less busy. The water is calm, with just enough wave action to remind you that it's the sea. There are no beach-chair rentals. From Fort-de-France, exit to the right before you get to the town of Ste-Luce. You first see signs for the Karibea Hotels and then one for Corps de Garde, which is on the right. At the stop sign take a left. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.
Ste-Luce, n/a Martinique, 97228, Martinique -
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6. Anse Tartane
This patch of sand is on the wild side of the Presqu'île du Caravelle. Ungroomed and in a fairly natural state, it's what the French call a sauvage beach. The only people you are likely to see are brave surfers who ride the high waves or some local families. Bliss, the surf school here, has re-opened and has taught many kids. Résidence Oceane, mainly for surfers, looks down on all of this action; it doesn't have a restaurant, but you can get a drink. Amenities: parking; toilets (at surf school); water sports. Best for: partiers; surfing; walking.
Tartane, n/a Martinique, 97220, Martinique -
7. Basse-Pointe
Town/VillageOn the route to this village on the Atlantic coast at the island's northern end you pass many banana and pineapple plantations. Just south of Basse-Pointe is a Hindu temple, which was built by descendants of the East Indians who settled in this area in the 19th century. The view of Mont Pelée from the temple is memorable.
Basse-Pointe, n/a Martinique, 97222, Martinique -
8. Basse-Pointe
On the route to this village on the Atlantic coast at the island's northern end—the wild side of Martinique—you pass many banana and pineapple plantations. Just south of Basse-Pointe is a Hindu temple, which was built by descendants of the East Indians who settled in this area in the 19th century. The view of Mont Pelée from the temple is memorable. Basse-Pointe is a short drive from Macouba and is best experienced as a day excursion.
Macouba, n/a Martinique, Martinique -
9. Bellefontaine
Town/VillageThis colorful fishing village has pastel houses on the hillsides and beautifully painted gommiers (fishing boats) bobbing in the water. Look for the restaurant built in the shape of a boat.
Bellefontaine, n/a Martinique, 97222, Martinique -
10. Bellefontaine
A 20-minute drive from Le Carbet, Bellefontaine is a colorful fishing village with pastel houses on the hillsides and beautifully painted gommiers (fishing boats) bobbing in the water. Look for the restaurant built in the shape of a boat.
Carbet, n/a Martinique, 97222, Martinique -
11. Bibliothèque Schoelcher
This wildly elaborate Romanesque public library was named after Victor Schoelcher, who led the fight to free the slaves in the French West Indies in the 19th century. The eye-popping, historic structure was built for the 1889 Paris Exposition, after which it was dismantled, shipped to Martinique, and reassembled piece by piece.
1 rue de la liberté, Fort-de-France, n/a Martinique, 97220, Martinique0596-55–68–30Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon. morning, Sat., Sun., and holidays -
12. Diamant Beach
The island's longest beach has a splendid view of Diamond Rock, but the Atlantic waters are rough, with lots of wave action—it's not known as a surfers' beach, though. Diamant is often deserted, especially midweek, which is more reason to be careful if you do go swimming. The sand is black here, and it is an experience to snorkel above it. Happily, it's a great place for picnicking and beachcombing; there are shade trees aplenty, and parking is abundant and free. The hospitable, family-run Diamant Les Bains hotel is a good lunch spot; if you eat lunch there, the management may let you wash off in the pool overlooking the beach. From Les Trois-Îlets, go in the direction of Rivière Salée, taking the secondary road to the east, toward Le Diamant. A coastal route, it leads to the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; walking.
Le Diamant, n/a Martinique, 97224, Martinique -
13. Diamond Rock
This volcanic mound, 1 mile (1½ km) offshore from the small, friendly village of Le Diamant, is one of the island's best diving spots. In 1804, during the squabbles over possession of the island between the French and the English, the latter commandeered the rock, armed it with cannons, and proceeded to use it as a strategic battery. The British held the rock for nearly a year and a half, attacking any French ships that came along. The French got wind that the British were getting cabin fever on their isolated island and arranged for barrels of rum to float up on the rock. The French easily overpowered the inebriated sailors, ending one of the most curious engagements in naval history.
Le Diamant, n/a Martinique, 97223, Martinique -
14. Dubuc Castle
At the eastern tip of the Presqu'île de Caravelle are the ruins of this castle, once the home of the Dubuc de Rivery family, who owned the peninsula in the 18th century. Constructed in the middle of a sugar plantation in the 1700s, the Dubuc castle had an exceptional location and ocean view. It was the castle that slavery built, as its solitary position enabled the Dubuc family to devote its efforts to an intense traffic of enslaved people with the English Antilles. You can park your car right after the turnoff for Résidence Oceane and walk the dirt road to the ruins. The castle still has a skeleton of stone walls, but it is mostly rubble. Hikers go for the dramatic ocean views, raw nature, and birdlife, but for others, it might not be worth the price of admission. It now has a map and interactive self-guide and sometimes an in-person guide, but mainly it is all in French so English visitors are not as satisfied. Also, you can buy a light picnic and ice cream and there are tables.
Tartane, n/a Martinique, 97220, MartiniqueSight Details
Rate Includes: €4 -
15. Forêt de Montravail
A few miles north of Ste-Luce, this tropical rain forest is ideal for a short hike. Look for the interesting group of Carib rock drawings.
Le Diamant, n/a Martinique, 97223, Martinique -
16. Fort St-Louis
Fort St-Louis (pronounced lou-EE) is an imposing stone fortress that has guarded the island’s principal port city since the 17th century. Originally carved out from a rocky promontory jutting out into the Bay of Fort-de-France, Fort St-Louis towers nearly 200 feet over the city at its highest point, affording visitors panoramic views of the surrounding seaside urban landscape. A view-experience and photo op, with a spyglass, one could see any threatening warships coming for miles in advance. Guided tours are available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. Walking shoes are recommended. Visitors must first check-in at the Office of Tourism, on 29 rue Victor Hugo.
Bd. Chevalier, Fort-de-France, n/a Martinique, Martinique0596-80--00--70Sight Details
Rate Includes: €8, Fort closed for tours Sun.–Mon. -
17. Habitation Simon A1710
Gustatory and olfactory delights await at this bio rum distillery, one of few where the sugarcane is still cut by hand. La "belle Aline," the shiny copper alembic, steals the show. To discover more in-depth, you can even participate in the rum production (available upon reservation).
Le François, n/a Martinique, 97240, Martinique0596-50--58--42Sight Details
Rate Includes: 15€, Closed Sat. afternoon and Sun., Reservations required for guided tour -
18. Interpretation Center Paul Gauguin
Martinique was a brief stop in Paul Gauguin's wanderings, but a decisive moment in the evolution of his art. He arrived from Panama in 1887 with friend and fellow painter Charles Laval and, having pawned his watch at the docks, rented a wooden shack on a hill above Carbet. Dazzled by the tropical colors and vegetation, Gauguin developed a style, his Martinique period, that directly anticipated his Tahitian paintings. Also remembered here is the writer Lafcadio Hearn. In his endearing book Two Years in the West Indies he provides the most extensive description of the island before St-Pierre was buried in ash and lava. A major renovation created unique white cottages that house an interactive multimedia exhibit. The front gallery features some of Gauguin's original works. Throughout are exhibits detailing his life on Martinique. Space has also been set aside for temporary exhibitions for Martinican and Caribbean artists like a recent one for Carnival masks. In addition there are painting classes. The entryway displays a large, wooden sculpture by the island’s well-known artist, Hector Charpentier.
Carbet, n/a Martinique, 97221, Martinique0696-80–80–96Sight Details
Rate Includes: €8.50 -
19. La Savane des Esclaves
Down a dirt road, in the countryside outside the tourist zone, stands La Savane des Esclaves, a re-created "free" village of former enslaved people (circa 1800). This labor of love was created by Gilbert Larose, who has a fascination with his ancestors who were "Nèg'Marrons," enslaved people who fled the plantations to live free, off the land. The Antan Lontan Village, the name Larose gave his settlement, reveals much about this major element in Martinique's history and culture, with food tastings and artisan demonstrations. His gardens of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs are cultivated in the traditional manner. Shows utilizing the various groups of Martinican folkloric dancers are held several times a year, both by day and by night. On Saturday from 9 to noon, there are often more elaborate tastings, demonstrations, and traditional dance lessons. Allow an hour and 15 minutes for the guided tour in French. There is some signage in English.
Les Trois-Îlets, n/a Martinique, 97229, Martinique0596-68–33–91Sight Details
Rate Includes: €12, Closed Sun. afternoon -
20. Le Marin
Town/VillageThe yachting capital of Martinique, Le Marin is also known for its colorful August carnival and its Jesuit church, circa 1766. From Le Marin a narrow road leads to picturesque Cap Chevalier, about 1 mile (1½ km) from town. Most of the buildings are white and very European. The marina, a hub for charter boats, is often buzzing with charter sailboats departing and celebrities on impressive yachts pulling in. There are waterfront restaurants and clubs that are a magnet for the younger crowd as well as for sailors and tourists at large.
Le Marin, n/a Martinique, 97290, Martinique
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