Other Destinations and Attractions in Martinique

Ajoupa-Bouillon, at the base of Mount Pelee is known for the flowers which decorate the little village, and for the river crayfish farming.

Gorges de la Falaise are a series of small gorges along the Falaise River which lead to a waterfalls.

Les Ombrages offers a botanical trail along a ravine and past the ruins of a distillery. The vegetation here is largely comprised of shade plants that grow in the shadows of the large trees.

Bellefontaine is a fishing village and vegetable farming area. Painter Jules Marillac lived and died here and is buried in the town's cemetery.

The church in Bellefontaine displays metal sculptures by Joseph René Corail.

Le Torgiléo in Bellefontaine is a hillside building in the shape of a boat. It was built in 1948 and has served as a hotel and a restaurant.

A steep road climbs to Panorama Verrier, a lookout offering views of the Caribbean, the Pitons du Carbet, and Mont Pelée.

Case-Pilote is one of the oldest villages on the island and home to one of the oldest churches.

Diamond Rock is located 3 km from mainland Martinique. In 1804 the British dropped sailors on the island and registered the rock as a ship, the HMS Diamond Rock. After 17 months of unsuccessful attacks on the rock, the French apparently set adrift a load of rum near the island. A short time later the French attacked the island of drunken sailors and retook the rock.

The Ecomusée de Martinique in Anse Figuier, near Rivière-Pilote, deals with the history of Martinique from prehistoric times to modern day. Topics covered include slavery, colonialism, and agriculture and the plantations.

Grand Anse is a fishing village which has proved popular with locals, yachters, and tourists. The beach offers good swimming and snorkeling opportunities.

Grand-Rivière is a small fishing village on the northern tip of Martinique. At the waterfront is a fish market and black sand beach. Dominica can be seen in the distance to the north.

La Caravelle Nature Trail near la Trinity is a one hour hike through mangrove forest. Near the entrance to the hike are the ruins of Château Dubuc with some standing sections of stone walls.

La Trinité is a major sugar cane, banana, and pineapple growing area. A waterfront walkway runs the length of the village with kiosks and monuments.

Maison de la Coiffe et du Costume Créoles in La Trinité features dolls in Creole dress and information on dress making a headdresses.

Looking out to Diamond Rock the seaside town of Le Diamant offers a pleasant stretch of beach and an historic church.

Le François is one of the islands larger towns. It was established by French settlers in about 1620 and is today largely agriculture based.

Designed by Martinique born architect Marc Alie, the church was built to replace the former church destroyed in a 1973 fire. Only a skeleton and the façade of this modern style church remain today due to a cyclone.

Le Marin is the commercial center for the surrounding area. Of interest in the town is a 1766 stone church.

The town is well known and popular as a mooring spot for yachters.

Le Precheur was settled in 1635 and became a parish in 1648. The town is known for its hot springs and a bell tower given as a gift by Louis XIV.

Le Robert is situated on the bay, Havre du Robert, offering beautiful views. The waterfront provides a pleasant place to stroll.

Leyritz Plantation, an 18th C sugar plantation, is now a hotel and restaurant. On the grounds are some of the old buildings, including the former plantation house which is furnished in period.

The little village of Morne-Vert sits at 450 m (1,500 ft). It offers a cooler climate and views of the Pitons du Carbet and Mont Pelée.

The Musée de Poupées Végétales, located at the Leyritz Plantation, is a unique museum displaying dolls created by local resident Will Fenton. With a unique twist, the dolls are made from palm fronds and other plant matter.

Rivière-Pilote is a sugar cane and vegetable farming area. The town offers a covered market and is also known for its cockfighting and snake and mongoose fighting.

Pitt Cléry stages cockfighting and snake and mongoose fighting.

Housed in a 1913 college building, the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires (The Folk Art Museum) in Saint-Esprit displays farming equipment, handicrafts, and household items.

Sainte-Anne has the distinction of being the island's southernmost village. There are some nearby beaches which offer swimming and snorkeling opportunities. The town is popular with travelers and maintains a number of shops and restaurants and a craft market.

A short distance south of Sainte-Anne is one of the most popular beaches on Martinique. Grande Anse des Salines is a 1 km (0.6 mile) white sand beach.

Fond Saint-Jacques is a 1660 Dominican monastery and sugar plantation. The site is now a government operated cultural center. On the grounds are ruins of the mill, boiling house, and sugar factory.