Things to see and do Sainte-Anne

Just off Les Salines beach, a 10-hectare stretch of desert stretches out its surprising scenery. Situated on the site of an ancient volcano, it was once dotted with the geological remains of a forest engulfed by lava. Petrified wood blocks, agates, polychrome jasper and chalcedony could be found here, plundered by disrespectful collectors. All that remains is the bare site, which nevertheless lends itself to an enchanting stroll.

Would you like to discover Anse-Chevalier, Anse-aux-Bois, Anse-Esprit, Anse-Noire, Ile aux Chiens, the white seabed and coral reef of Cap Chevalier, Baie des Anglais, the bird sanctuary and mangrove swamps of Sainte-Anne? Christian, aka "Bébèche", a friendly fellow with a big heart, will take you out on Martinique's turquoise waters. You won't be able to escape the tasty accras and the inevitable ti-punch, all shared in good spirits and to the sound of zouk, of course!

It gives unity to the village, and extends its steeple beyond its forecourt, to a charming pontoon plunging into the water. Every year, on September 19, 5,000 pilgrims come to La Salette to make the pilgrimage. On February 13, 1870, a cross was raised to the top of the hill behind the church. On Good Friday of the same year, a Christ was placed there. It was then that the idea of a calvary was born. The chapel has been damaged by cyclones and fires. It was restored in 1994 by the municipality.

The Sainte-Anne covered market is an ideal place to pick up local fruit and vegetables, and has just been renovated by the local council. Here, you'll find bananas, pineapples and avocados, as well as jams, arranged rums, fruit punches and local spices, not to mention charming souvenirs to pack in your suitcases (madras cloth clothing, jewelry made from péyi seeds, soaps made in Martinique...). One of the island's most authentic markets. Traffic in the vicinity can be tricky!

Every year in December, the office organizes a craft and trade week while every first weekend of the month, a large market with an exhibition of local products and a podium of animation with traditional dances and music will delight you. If you are staying in Martinique during the Christmas vacations, the office puts on a living nativity scene. At the end of the show, you will taste the local specialties of Christmas (Christmas ham, pies) and you will certainly be dragged into a torrid “chanté nwel” all in Creole!

Just a few kilometers from Martinique's most beautiful beaches, take the D9 towards Sainte-Anne for around 3 km to climb the Piton Crève-Coeur. Turn off at Cap-Chevalier and drive for 1 km. Turn right for 2 km and follow the unpaved road to the ruins of an old sugar mill. Leave your car in the dedicated parking area. Piton Crève-Coeur is an ancient volcano (18 million years old...), much older than Montagne Pelée, which today rises to an altitude of 200 m and offers breathtaking views of southern Martinique. Your walk begins on the right, with a path that climbs up, passing by ancient ruins: the main house of the Habitation Crève-Coeur. You soon come to a fine viewpoint over the island's southern peninsula. Further on, still in the direction of Sainte-Anne, a string of small coves invites you to unfold your towel and recharge your batteries. Cap-Chevalier offers windsurfing and kayaking programs. Anse-Michel, Baie des Anglais and Les Salines, coves and sandy beaches, also boast a small commercial infrastructure (food stores, restaurants) and sports facilities (jet-skiing, windsurfing). Don't forget to bring sun protection, light clothing and plenty of water - the sun can be fierce, especially in the middle of the day! Allow an hour and a half round trip, with a difference in altitude of around 150 meters.

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.