sales guide martinique

to the public by a foundation devoted to exploring
the link between rum and Martinican culture.The
Maison Créole, the restored 18th-century residence
on the property, is beautifully appointed and has been
classified as a historic monument.
Fifteen miles from Fort-de-France.
Tourist Information Bureau
Tel./Fax : 0596 54 67 50
Great Escapes
THE BOTANICAL NORTH : FORT-DE-FRANCE -
PRÊCHEUR
The Route de la Trace is truely a botanical trail,
bordered with heliconia flowers and bracken fern,
taking you into deep into the tropical splendor of the
Martinican rainforest. The trail winds through thick
vegetation, and over tumultuous mountain streams,
all the way to Mount Pelée.
Balata Church is a miniature replica of the Basilica of
Montmartre in Paris. It was built in 1924, and offers a
panoramic view of Fort-de-France and its bay.
Experience a bit of Paradise in the Balata Garden,
where you can stroll among groves and flowerbeds
planted with a multitude of tropical species.
Take a break with a refreshing dip in the Alma River.
The pictoresque village of Fonds Saint-Denis is
decked with flowers, and it faces Mount Pelée.
Saint-Pierre, the « little Paris of the Antilles, » was
erased from the face of the Earth in three minutes
by an eruption of Mount Pelée. In 1990 it was
classified as a City of Art and History. Stroll through
the ruins and visit the Franck Perret Museum of
Volcanology, established in 1932 by Perret, himself a
volcanologist.
At this point you have a choice: You could
continue north along the coast to Le Prêcheur
or you could continue inland, northeast toward
Morne-Rouge and eventually to the Atlantic
coast.
If you take the route to Le Prêcheur, you will
discover the town’s superb beach at Anse Céron,
with its lovely alley lined with coconut palm trees
beneath the ruins of Habitation Céron. From Le
Prêcheur, you can embark on an exceptional six-hour
hike taking you to Grand-Rivière, on the Atlantic
coast at the extreme northern end of the island.
The route through the town of Morne-Rouge will
take you to Aileron, a point of departure for climbs
up Mount Pelée, where you can command views of
Martinique from one coast to the other.
THE CARIBBEAN NORTH
A succession of small inlets shelter pictoresque
fishing villages, where fisherman practice the
traditional pêche à la senne, fishing with nets. All the
while they’re engaging in singing and conversation,
which you’re welcome to join if the spirit moves you.
In Case-Pilote, you’ll find the oldest church on the
island, dating to the 17th century.
The Canton Suisse, a community in Morne-Vert,
has a rather evocative name. With reason! You’ll
understand why when you note the dramatic change
to steep alpine scenery.
In Le Carbet, you’ll find the Paul Gauguin Museum
not far from the spot where the famous painter stayed
for five months in 1887, with his friend Charles Laval.
THE ATLANTIC NORTH
The magnificent bay at Le Robert is dotted with lots
of islets and coral reefs. It’s a much sought-after
haven for sailors.
Just beyond Trinité is the fishing village Tartane on
the Caravelle Peninsula. The peninsula is embued
with the history of the Dubuc family, and here you’ll
find the ruins of the Château Dubuc, set within the
Caravelle Natural Reserve. The reserve also offers
some beautiful hiking trails.
From Sainte-Marie, take a detour to Morne des
Esses to admire the craftsmanship at the basketry
workshop there, visit the Rum Museum at the Saint
James Distillery, and the Habitation Fonds Saint-
Jacques. Ride on a small train through sugarcane
fields, a visual demonstration of the importance of a
crop that was—and still is—a major source of wealth
for Martinique. Stop by the Banana Museum. And
don’t forget to take a stroll on the tombolo. From
November to April, this sandbar connects the town
of Sainte-Marie to the adjacent Sainte-Marie Islet, a
natural curiosity caused by the tides.
In Basse-Pointe, visit Habitation Pécoul, built in
the 18th century and now classified as a historic
monument. There’s also the Leyritz Plantation, with
its Museum of Plant Figurines.
In Macouba, children engage in a spectacular sport
: Like novice sailors, they brave the choppy Atlantic
waters, floating on tree trunks
called flots.
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