Island adventures in Martinique

• The island is blessed with some of the most unspoiled beaches and lush landscapes in the Caribbean and the finest museums and restaurants. The capital, Fort-de France, faces the harbor and offers spectacular views of the bay and interesting insight into the French-Caribbean history of the island.
• The city’s architecture can be appreciated best by a walking tour. The main attraction is the Schoelcher Library, which was built in Paris over 100 years ago and then taken apart, mosaic by mosaic, to be moved to Martinique. Another architectural wonder is St. Louis Cathedral, which has been rebuilt six times since its original construction.
• Artifacts of the native inhabitants, the Carib Indians and the Arawak, can be found at the Musee Departemental. Adjacent to the museum, you can enjoy the natural environment of La Savane, a landscaped park full of colorful flora and magnificent stone statues.
• The imposing mountains of Pitons du Carbet are just north of the capital and offer a great drive through flourishing plant life, including fields of guava, mango, papaya, pineapple, banana and sugar cane. Situated at the bottom of the mountain, sits a re-creation of the famous Basilica du Sacre Coeur in Paris.
• There are three small towns worth the visit: Case-Pilote, Bellefontaine and Carbet. Carbet features the once home of the late French Impressionist Paul Gauguin, where you can find samples of his paintings of the island. Also, a popular spot for visitors is the butterfly valley.
• The southern coast of the island is famous for its white-sand beaches and the bays suggested for their offshore reefs. On the contrary, the northern coast shows evidence of the island’s once-active volcano by its black sand.
• Hiking can be enjoyed on the northern coast through the Gorges de la Falaise, which resembles the Grand Canyon in the U.S, or you can venture to climb to the top of Mont Pelee, the island’s volcano. A professional guide is recommended, as the hike is a difficult one. Other sports offered are tennis, golf, horseback riding and mountain biking.
• The St. James Distillery which features fine rum that has even won French awards. Visitors can stop in and sample the drink.
• Hop aboard the Cyparis Express, a train that will take you on a 50 minute tour throughout the historic sites of Martinique.