Tourist Attractions & Monuments Martinique

In this garden, located in the heart of Fort-de-France, hides a green oasis flanked by a colonial house and an enchanting garden. Ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants thrive here in complete tranquillity, surrounded by works of art harmoniously arranged here and there among the plants. In this charming setting lives an artist: Agnès Jean-François, known as JAF. It was she who imagined this garden all around the colonial house that once belonged to her husband's grandmother, Yves Jean-François (JYF), now deceased, and he too an artist. After visiting the garden, you can admire JAF's sculptures and paintings in her former studio. A true parenthesis of greenery in the Foyalaise urban area, the JYF and JAF hut is only open to visitors once a year during the Rendez-vous aux jardins.

One of the island's oldest distilleries. JM agricultural rums are one of Martinique's great vintages. In addition to a visit to the distillery, a stroll through the rum garden is a must. The walk begins in the cane garden, where you can discover the 3 varieties of hybrid cane selected for their quality and resistance to mechanical cutting: straw cane, blue cane and red cane. The garden features the typical square layout that once prevailed on cane plantations. The walk takes you past rich vegetation, the result of exceptionally fertile soil and a cross-fertilization of species. In the rum garden, flowers, aromatic plants, shrubs, lianas and tall trees embody the delicious scents that develop during the metamorphosis of sugar cane and the aging of rums.

As you make your way along the trail, you'll be immersed in the typical scents of JM rums. Coffee, cocoa, guava, pineapple, breadfruit, lemon, citron...: the trail blends indigenous plants, present before the arrival of the first settlers, with domesticated plants, brought by Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and then Indians. The spice garden (basil, lemongrass, ginger, pepper, chili, Indian wood, cinnamon, vanilla...) rubs shoulders with ornamental plants (lilies, gardenia, jasmine, datura, ylang-ylang...). At the end of this enchanting stroll, drop by the boutique for a tasting of the divine nectars produced on site.

The Regional Natural Park of Martinique has different information points around the island on the visits of sites, hikes and walks to do in the neighboring municipalities. A store also offers a wide variety of products from local know-how and crafts. Guided tours are available upon reservation, and audioguides for free visits are available to visitors. Maps are also available to help you find your way around the numerous hikes that are possible in the area.

Starting from the Gallochet district, the Arlet trail leads you to the Grande Anse beach. The seven-kilometer trail starts by going along the Anse Noire ravine to go up to the black sand beach of the same name. You will then reach its neighbor, Anse Dufour, before heading inland to go around the Morne Réduit. On the way, you will have access to beautiful viewpoints on the coast. Finally, you will go back down towards the beach of Grande Anse, where the walk ends. Count 2 hours. Easy level.

The objective of the Jardin de l'Espérance integration project is to enhance the value of the professions involved in horticultural production, medicinal and aromatic plants, and waste recovery. The association l'Espérance - Patronage Saint-Louis is home to an integration centre that welcomes people between 16 and 30 years of age and supports them in their project to return to work. The idea is to use the garden as a tool to enable them to reintegrate and reconnect with nature and society. After creating a Creole garden, this ambitious integration project is devoted to the cultivation of endemic plants, the creation of a health trail and should allow the redevelopment of the banks of the Monsieur River, which flows from Dillon to Saint-Joseph, a watercourse full of history that runs along the garden site. Eco-citizen and educational workshops are frequently organized there.

In Morne Gommier, Pierre-Yves Panor has designed a garden on the site where his ancestors lived during the marronnage period, when they fled from slavery in search of a new destiny.

As you wind your way through the breathtaking panoramic views, you'll come across several themed gardens that deal with agriculture and pharmacopoeia on the Mornes, the fight for freedom and, above all, the trauma of slavery. An emotional moment. Possibility of sleeping on site.

On the slopes of Morne Garnier grows a mini-urban jungle where vegetables, medicinal plants and fruit trees live in harmony. This is where the Centre de Culture Populaire Ypiranga de Pastinha Martinique (CCPYPM) has developed an experimental urban garden in an old quarry that had to be completely cleared and redeveloped.

A project that was a little mad at the beginning, but which has been fruitful since the association has been entrusted with the development of an eco-environment, this time located in Tivoli.

It must be said that the CCPYPM association has energy to spare. A dozen people, employees, civic services and volunteers, work daily to reconnect the inhabitants with nature and use the garden as a support for environmental education.

Through the work of the land, the idea is to transmit values such as sharing, raise awareness of eco-citizen issues (waste recycling, safeguarding local heritage) and learn to eat healthily. Here, a part of the plots is managed by the association and the young people of the district; the other part is put at the disposal of the inhabitants to cultivate their vegetables.

Events are regularly organized. People come here to learn how to garden, to watch the aquaponics ponds work and to feed the rabbits and chickens in the garden. The association has also developed a solidarity store that delivers baskets to isolated people, as well as a mini-market every firstSaturday of the month.

Managed by the Acsion Services association, the Atoumo garden (named after the plant that cures "all ills") is home to over 250 varieties of medicinal plants endemic to Martinique. Inaugurated in 2015, it showcases the traditional use of medicinal plants and enables this knowledge to be passed on to future generations. In addition to schoolchildren and local residents who come to attend workshops to learn how to grow a few medicinal plants, the garden also welcomes the general public and sells seedlings for direct planting.

It's the story of a reopening: that of the former La Salle sugar factory, founded at the end of the ^17th century in Sainte-Marie, and which once produced pure sugarcane juice used to distill tafia, the ancestor of rum. Nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, Habitation La Salle offers a real trip back in time, and a lovely walk through its verdant surroundings. The dwelling was formerly known as the Survilliers sugar factory. It was owned by Claude de Laguarigue de Survilliers, born in 1668 on the island of Saint-Christophe. Driven out by the English in 1690, he took refuge in Martinique, settling in Sainte-Marie and marrying Luce de La Salle in 1695. Just before the French Revolution, in 1786, Jacques Guillaume Seguin de La Salle bought the house that today bears his name. After more than 3 years of restoration, the site reopened its doors in March 2021. Nearly three-quarters of the site's traceability has now been rediscovered, enabling us to share with visitors the history of sugar and agricultural rum in Martinique. During your visit (the audioguides are very well done), you can discover the boiler house and its chimney, the 2 paddle mills in operation, the sugar loaves, the guildhall, the stills and the ageing cellars. Take a look at the Maison du Café, home to a host of old machines. The tour ends with a tasting of the rums produced in collaboration with Saint-James: an organic white, a VSOP and XO.

It was here, on this site overlooking the Caribbean Sea, that Marie-Josèphe-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie was born in 1763. The future Empress Josephine spent her first sixteen years here. At the time, this 300-hectare former sugar estate was known as "Little Guinea": 200 slaves worked in the cane, coffee and indigo fields exported to France, and the property had no garden of its own. Destroyed by a hurricane in 1766, the dwelling was left somewhat abandoned before being bought back in the ^19th century. But it wasn't until 1944 and the intervention of Dr. Robert Rose-Rosette, future mayor of Trois-Ilets, that this heritage was restored. All that remains of the sugar mill that was home to Joséphine's family are the ruins, listed as a Monument Historique. The mill where the plantation's cane was distilled is now used to welcome visitors. A museum featuring objects belonging to the Empress has been created, as has a magnificent garden planted with trees. Beautifully landscaped, it is home to a wealth of wild vegetation, including a plethora of African sausage trees. A flower bed surrounds a bust of Josephine. A lovely walk in a green setting.

Since 1975, Georges Pastel has had an unfailing passion for palm trees, which he has passed on to his son. On this plot of land located on the heights of Rivière-Pilote, he has built up an impressive collection of palm trees representing all regions of the world: 300 species flourish here, enriched by exchanges and plants brought back from his travels. If most of them are native to the Caribbean and Central and South America, we nevertheless discover very rare species in what is today the most beautiful palm grove of Martinique.

Raymond Rijo has imagined a Creole garden where market gardening, fruit growing, aromatic and medicinal plants coexist: cocoa, guava, banana, sugar cane, allspice, calabash… and especially cassava, the star product of the farm. The farmer offers themed educational workshops, to learn how to fight against predators, to make compost or bamboo chimes and of course to make the famous cassava-based pancakes. A high place of conservation of the traditional know-how of Martinique to discover.

The Regional Natural Park of Martinique was born in 1976 from the desire to combine the economic development of the island with the preservation of its natural and cultural wealth. Since its creation, it has contributed to raising awareness of the link between nature and culture within the Martinican identity. The PNRM implements projects throughout the territory of the Park, which covers two thirds of the island, i.e. 32 municipalities. It intervenes in particular on :

- the diversification of the tourist offer in terms of green tourism, ecotourism and agritourism;

- the development of local products;

- the preservation of landscapes;

- raising awareness of respect for the environment and the need for eco-citizen behaviour;

- the animation and promotion of the territory;

- the protection of the land;

- the implementation of scientific studies on biodiversity ;

- training in environmental professions.

In this socio-educational agricultural farm, there is of course a "production" centre where vegetables, fruit, herbs and medicinal plants are produced, a "nature" centre which houses a leisure centre for children from 3 to 11 years old, all governed by the "transmission" centre and the "social" centre, the main thread of learning. Within this structure, early learning and games are combined with nature and animals to offer another way of learning, while having fun and, if possible, strengthening the bond between parents and children. In addition to their interventions throughout the year, the teams of the P'tite Ferme Eco propose during the holidays an airy centre that combines leisure, nature and learning. Workshops are organised around education on food, taste, the environment, Martinique's cultural heritage, but also self-respect and respect for others. Another way of seeing and understanding the world.

Signs indicate the path that winds to the hidden springs at the foot of Morne Jacqueline. In Petite-Anse, park in front of Fredo's and follow the sign for a short 15-minute walk. At the end of the path, you can bathe in the small basin where the water flows at more than 35 °C. This ferruginous spring has been used by the elders for thousands of years and is said to come from a deep reservoir with a temperature of about 180 °C. It is supposed to relieve rheumatism, pain and other ailments. Small drawback: it is quite crowded…

The Habitation Chalvet contributed greatly to the economic development of Basse-Pointe. It was one of the largest sugar factories on the island. Now dedicated to the cultivation of bananas, sugarcane and pineapples, it is the only house open to the public. The new owners organize guided tours to discover the history of the house, the banana, and to discover some secrets of the local medicinal plants. You can learn a lot about the past of the house and the remains of the slavery era. Very interesting.

In Tivoli, the objective of the CCPYPM association (at the initiative of the Jardin de Trénelle-Citron) is even more ambitious: to create on this 6,000^m2 site an ecolieu, i.e. a model place in terms of food, energy and medicinal self-sufficiency, with a guided sensory path, an educational farm and workshops (gardening, composting, agroecology). It is home to the island's first plant library-school, with 150 species listed for the ailments they treat (nervous, intestinal, digestive...). Mini-market every^1st Saturday of the month.

When Malike Malsa started farming twelve years ago, she wanted to name her farm the "Garden of Health". An obvious choice for this passionate young farmer, because here "we work for people's health. Our food is our first medicine". This son of an ecologist has always wanted to farm to feed himself. "For me, the garden makes sense: I don't like to talk about farming, I don't use the land, I take advantage of what it offers me while protecting it because if I don't, it won't be able to feed us".

A member of GRAB (Groupement Régional des Agriculteurs Bio de Martinique) since its inception, Malike has been cultivating her organic labelled garden in Sainte-Anne, taking care to respect her native land and enhancing everything around her. Committed to a zero-waste approach, the farmer uses traditional techniques, such as growing lasagne (with different layers to nourish the soil), mulching with cardboard and organic matter, and growing in mounds. Over time, Malike has developed, in addition to selling its production of fruit, vegetables and aromatic plants, several services around the concept of the garden: firstly, a small laboratory for processing its products (in the form of jams, flours and preserves). Don't hesitate to come and have a look around this farm, in the adjoining shop and order your organic baskets. You won't be disappointed! And moreover you will consume local.

Le François is an important and lively town, more authentic than touristic. There is no beach here… but you can guess the coral reef on which the waves break in the distance. Go for a walk to the fish market, where fishermen come to sell their goods that they cut up on the table, under metal shelters. In the town center, besides the church in front of the town hall, notice the huts lined up on Perrinon street: they were built by the workers of the central factory of Emile Bougenot.

If you continue along the seafront road, you will arrive at the end of the cove at a small fishing port, one of the typical places of the city. One can read on a sign: “No throwing away old cars”! An adage that unfortunately is not listened to nor followed to the letter…

Then go and contemplate the banana plantations, at the exit of Le François, which constitute a typical natural scenery. We follow the direction of Le Vauclin (12 km), then we turn to take the D16 towards Bois-Soldat. From the road, the panorama on the islets on one side and the mountain on the other is incomparable.

Finally, go have a look at La Frégate, an old colonial house in the small village called Bonnaire. Continue your journey to the Cap Est Lagoon Resort: the complex has a beach accessible to all, with white sand, with clear waters, ideal for families. It is the only beach in Le François. To swim in the turquoise waters, you will have to reach the famous islets of Le François and Le Robert.

From Le Lorrain to Grande-Rivière, the sugarcane and banana fields give way to the tropical forest, a real wild jungle. This stretch of the D10 is familiarly called “Route des Habitations” in memory of the sumptuous plantations that once stood there. Today, some of them are still visible but remain private: you must book an appointment or ask for permission from the local tourist offices for the Habitation Beauséjour in Grand-Rivière, the Habitations Perpigna and Chénaux in Macouba, and the Habitations Leyritz and Pécoul in Basse-Pointe.

From 1848 until 1885, Basse-Pointe welcomed tens of thousands of Tamil workers from Pondicherry in India. These “coolies”, as they are called here, kept their traditions and built temples, including two particularly important ones in Basse-Pointe. The first is located after the Pocquet River, facing the pond; the second is near the Gradis Habitation. They can be visited on Sundays and during the “Bon dit coolie” ceremony.

Tété Dwèt ("delicious" in Creole) is a concept for gourmet walks in Fort-de-France. During these guided tours, you'll explore the main town and delve into the island's culinary history, while making tasting stops at food retailers who love homemade food and sharing it with others. Each stop is punctuated by anecdotes and explanations. This original activity combines culinary pleasure and cultural discovery. Perfect for solo, couples, friends or family! Book online (www.tetedwet.com).

Here you are in front of a hike of a good level (10 km - 2 hours of walk) which offers you a beautiful immersion in the green of the north of Martinique (hygrophilic vegetation, with breathtaking colors and possibility to meet a tarantula) but also the possibility to fly to the river for a moment of refreshment at the bend of a rather unknown path.

Take the Route de la Trace to the Fond-Saint-Denis Deux-Choux crossroads. Follow the D1 to the right until kilometre point 19. A small rustic sign indicates "Trace de Trous-Matelots vers Desgrange". You go into the forest on a path maintained by the ONF. No signpost. The altitude is 620 m. We descend slowly (tree ferns, bamboos and white gum trees). A few tens of meters later, a clearing with red porcelain roses and a small dreary covered with markers. On the left, you can hear the rumbling of a river: after a 200 m difference in altitude, you reach the Deux-Bras gully in 40 minutes.Two solutions: the short track (fork on the left and head towards Falaise-Isaïe) or take a right towards Duchesnetaux and cross the Lézarde river before joining the forest road la Palourde. It is better to take the first one because the second one is very busy. From coast 421 to coast 540, there is a 120 m slope (difficult ascent, unmaintained path, river): it leads to the national road. There are 4 km to go on the asphalt (the least pleasant part) to get back to the starting point.

To the north of Grande Anse, a path goes through the thickets before continuing along the sea. After an hour's easy walk, reach the underwater trail set up by the Conservatoire du Littoral (Coastal Protection Agency). Armed with a mask, a snorkel, and flippers, dive to discover the 5 buoys under which reside unique underwater fauna and flora: seagrass beds, rocky bottoms, coral massifs, fish of all colors… Out of the water, a carbet (native hut) with educational panels indicates the animals and plants that you are likely to meet.

Tanbou Bòkannal is the island's most famous carnival group, renowned for marching in the "vidés" of Martinique's capital. The name also evokes Fort-de-France's oldest district. The association celebrated its ^50th anniversary and inaugurated a small temporary museum dedicated to carnival heritage. In this cabinet of curiosities, you can admire traditional costumes such as "Mas à lanmo", "Maryann lapo fig", "Diab rouj" and many others.

Located on Place Bertin, where goods used to transit to and from ships docked in the port of Saint-Pierre, the Maison de la Bourse used to be the former chamber of commerce of Saint-Pierre.

Destroyed by the 1902 eruption, the current building, rebuilt identically by Gérard Jacqua, former Architect of the Bâtiments de France, appears as a true archetype of Creole architecture, witnessing the refinement and prosperity of Saint-Pierre at the end of the 19^th century. Today it houses the tourist office.

Within the framework of its policy of promotion and mediation of its heritage, the City of Saint-Pierre, through its Heritage and Tourism Department, suggests fun activities and guided tours accessible to all throughout the year. On the occasion of events such as the European Archaeology Days and Heritage Days, other activities can be organized. It is also possible to order customized activities, such as a thematic guided tour, not included in the catalog.

Just before arriving in Saint-Pierre, a sign indicates their presence. Created by the Martinique artist Laurent Valère, Manman Dlo and Yémaya are two monumental mermaids that rest in the bay of Saint-Pierre at a depth of nine meters. They are located about fifty meters from the shore and their presence is indicated by a yellow buoy. Over the years, a reef has been created around them, and today they attract an important underwater fauna and flora. They are accessible to all and can be observed with a mask and a snorkel.

Isabelle and Hervé Damicot are creating a forest garden on the land of a farmer in Morne-Rouge, based on the principles of syntropy. The basic rule of this new form of agriculture is to re-establish the balance between humans and living organisms, and to stop opposing nature and agriculture. According to Hervé Damicot, creator of the Jardin des Papillons in Carbet, then of the Jardins partagés de l'Anse Gaïac, we must try to rebuild the environment in a productive and respectful way, taking nature's interactions as our model. By applying these principles to this 12-hectare forest garden, the aim is to care for the soil and establish healthy, sustainable farming. The site welcomes volunteers and woofers from all over the world eager to learn these environmentally-friendly techniques.

Toch's cabin, once his grandfather's, now the Wahoo Café, is a must for Northern leisure activities: hiking, rivers, waterfalls, zoo, beaches... It's the ideal starting point for sea excursions to discover the different species of cetaceans: dolphins, whales, sperm whales and turtles. Explore the flora and fauna, and try your hand at fishing with Captain Toch. Enjoy authentic recipes based on local spices, "boucanés", homemade fish and chips, and the famous fish burger.

Denis is a fisherman with a big heart who smiles radiantly 365 days a year and who is always in a cheerful mood. For nearly 25 years, he has been showing the splendors of the famous Baignoire de Joséphine and its white sea bottoms on board his motor yole. Davy, his son, has joined the team and a second boat is now available. For an unforgettable day of relaxation, in a friendly atmosphere around delicious apéritifs, a succulent Creole meal and the captain's wise explanations on the natural treasures of his native island.

Come aboard the Angel of the Seas with Matthieu for a customized sea tour around the islets and the white sea bottoms of Le Robert and Le François. A commented visit, highlighted by swims in the white sea bottoms and, of course, an apéritif for the rum baptism! Matt then welcomes you to his home on the beach to enjoy a local Creole meal with your family. A sunny day that can be customized according to your desires.

Côte au Vent is a boat excursion agency located in Le François. Their services include half-day trips along the island's Atlantic coast, where visitors can discover the fauna, flora and picturesque sites such as the mangrove swamp, coral reef, white seabed and iguanas. In addition to boat trips, Côte au Vent also offers other activities such as catamaran excursions in Robert Bay, private boat trips, gift vouchers and unusual experiences.

Captain Omer is at the helm, taking you aboard his fishing skiff. The program includes the Dominica Channel and the wild coastline of Martinique's far north, rich in a thousand secrets: discover inaccessible coves and inlets, and learn about the history of the region, the first settlers, the slave revolts... Discover the secrets of deep-sea fishing, get up close to dolphins, sail to Dominica... Here, you are the master of your own desires, and it's by sea that you enter this capricious but generous North.

It's unthinkable to stay in Martinique without taking the time to learn a little about bananas, the symbol, along with sugar cane, of the Caribbean islands. Habitation Belfort is a farm that has been established for over thirty years in the commune of Le Lamentin. It specializes in banana cultivation, exporting 90% of its production. It covers an area of over 65 hectares. The aim of the farm is to preserve and perpetuate agricultural activity, and since 2007 it has been awarded the Global Gap label for its sustainable agriculture. The main attraction of this visit is to get inside a real farm that operates on a day-to-day basis, giving you a better understanding of the reality of production. The guided tour lasts around an hour and ends with a tasting of local produce. Last but not least, a banana kid is on hand to help children take an educational tour. After your visit, we recommend a stop at the pretty boutique at the entrance, where you'll find local banana products. The estate is also home to a majestic Creole villa, known as "Les Jardins de Belfort", a dream setting in the middle of the plantation. This villa and the little train are often privatized for seminars, weddings or cultural events. A privileged stopover to discover without delay.

Several packages are proposed by Luc, the master of the place. He will give you a detailed plastic map of the routes, a waterproof case to protect your belongings and off you go to discover the islets and the exceptional fauna and flora of this little piece of paradise. On your return, you will be able to use the showers and the locker room at your disposal. And to end this day in beauty, a small local snack. Luc also takes you on walks combining hiking and kayaking with an experienced guide.

The Paul-Gauguin Heritage Interpretation Center in Martinique, opened in July 2017, works to disseminate the Martinican creations of painters Paul Gauguin and Charles Laval. We discover the Caribbean saga of the two painters during their time in Martinique, through the reproductions of their letters and their works. A unique stroll through the paintings of Paul Gauguin through virtual reality. Drawing and painting workshops, among others, are possible.

Visit the Robert Islands on board a catamaran led by Loïc, professional of the sea, and Céline. You will enjoy the Isle Chancel for its iguanas, its ancient sugar factory,  its white funds, and the islet Madame for a unmissable Ti-Punch. Céline and Loïc are at your disposal and can adapt the outing to your convenience. Good friendly and family atmosphere. Departure at 9am from the pontoon of Robert and return towards 4pm.