Martinique : Why go there?
Martinique : The good reasons to go
A heavenly destination
Coconut palms, white sand and turquoise water: embark for postcard landscapes!
A pleasant year-round climate
With an average temperature of 27°C, heat prevails and rain never lasts long.
A multi-faceted island
From north to south, from the Caribbean coast to the Atlantic coast, the island is astonishingly diverse.
Extraordinary nature
Its generous nature and unique biodiversity have earned it the nickname flower Island.
The Creole way of life
On Creole soil, we take our time: to live, to enjoy life and to relax!
A rich cultural heritage
Museums, gardens and ancient dwellings reveal a fascinating and complex history.
Spiritual tourism on the rise
Why not taste the best rum in the world at one of the seven distilleries on the island?
A land of traditions
Belè, lasotè, Creole gardens…, the island cultivates traditions that have survived for centuries.
A family experience
Sand castles, water activities and walks in the forest: a dream for children!
A privileged location
Dominica, Saint Lucia and the surrounding islands are only a short distance away!
Martinique : Good to know to visit
Timetable
Tropical rhythms mean that people get up early, but they also go to bed early, as night falls quickly. In Martinique, shops are generally open from 8 or 9 a.m. until 4 or 5 p.m. (6 p.m. in tourist areas), and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. On Sundays, very few stores are open.
To be booked
No need to book your visits to museums, gardens or distilleries: the wait is never very long.
Budget & Tips
Student and senior cards can be used at the entrance of certain museums and gardens to benefit from reduced rates. Remember to take them with you.
Main events
A must-see event in February: the carnival that sets the whole island ablaze for five days, especially in Fort-de-France. It starts on Epiphany Sunday and multiple festivals take place from mid-January in the four corners of the island. Among the important dates is also May 22nd, a public holiday in Martinique that celebrates the abolition of slavery. In December, the Christmas period is preceded by the "Chant Nwel": locals gather in public squares to sing Christmas carols in Creole.
Guided tours
Ecotourism is booming in Martinique, and initiatives to promote more nature-friendly tourism are multiplying. If you'd like to be accompanied on your hikes, it's easy to arrange for qualified guides to accompany you. Other guided tours are organized by kayak in the mangroves, or around the islets of the east coast. In Fort-de-France, you can take a guided tour of Fort Saint-Louis. There is also a street art tour. In Saint-Pierre, there are several guided tours on different themes.
Smokers
It is forbidden to smoke in public places. You should know that Martinique is one of the French departments where there are the fewest smokers, so the latter are quickly spotted!
Tourist traps
The coasts of Martinique represent a privileged habitat for feeding, reproduction and migration of marine mammals of which there are more than twenty species: whales, dolphins, sperm whales, orcas sail near the coast. This is a great tourist attraction that develops every year, and more and more tourist operators, yachtsmen and divers are setting off to meet these fascinating creatures… But observing these protected animals requires very specific criteria for approaching and behaving in a way that does not always correspond to the practices of tourist operators, which are sometimes terribly destructive. For example, cetaceans are very sensitive to noise, which causes stress and changes their behavior. Therefore, we recommend that when you select a service provider, you ask if it has signed the Charter for a responsible approach and observation of marine mammals. A logo with the current year's vintage is displayed at signatory service providers.
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Martinique : Discover
Nestled in the heart of the Lesser Antilles archipelago between Dominica and Saint Lucia, Martinique is the ideal destination for lovers of varied landscapes and the good life. With its remarkable geographical heritage, rich cultural traditions and unique expertise in the production of AOC rum, the island of flowers attracts travelers from all over the world, and keeps them coming back for more. Add to this a colorful and flavorful gastronomy, and you'll be won over! It's impossible to get bored in Martinique. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to cultural, sporting or purely idle activities. Loll under the coconut palms of Salines beach, dive into the blue Caribbean waters around the islets of the Atlantic coast, visit the fishing villages of the north of the island, try your hand at climbing Mount Pelée, explore the mangrove swamps of Trois-Îlets in a kayak, visit one of the many distilleries, and finish your day by admiring the sunset over Le Diamant rock. The island is also a land of renowned intellectuals, such as Aimé Césaire, whose work and thought have undeniably left their mark on Martinique and the world.
