Fun things to do in Martinique

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A town still bearing the scars of the devastating volcano eruption that killed 26,000 people in 1902, Saint Pierre is a quaint Martinique town that is well worth visiting. You can stroll through the streets, enjoying the somewhat dilapidated but charming buildings, do some people watching, and enjoy the nice Caribbean atmosphere, especially during market time (every morning) on the main square (Place Bertin).

The main interest of Saint Pierre, however, are the many ruins left over from the destruction by the Montagne Pelée nuée ardente, a clouds of hot ash and gas (geological term defined here and then!), that flattened the city in 1902. Ever heard of a "Pelean eruption"? Well, that term was also defined here! St Pierre used to be the main town of Martinique, favored for its geographical setting in terms of beauty and sanitation over Fort de France, which reputation was to be too hot and built on a flat mosquito infested mangrove plain. The other charm of St Pierre beyond the romantic ruins, are the numerous beautiful views on the bay of St Pierre and the volcano looming over the city.

Do not miss (broadly from South to Northern districts):
- view from Notre Dame du Port (see photo, better to drive up there)
- cemetery (Martinique cemeteries are worth a visit with their tiled mausoleums and plastic flowers)
- cathedral (rebuilt)
- bourse building: reconstructed business exchange building
- ruins of the port storage buildings
- musée volcanologique: objects mangled by eruption, photos then & now (3 euros)
- ruins of the theater and jail (including the cell of Cyparis, one of 2 survivors of the eruption)
- Roxelane river (with stone bridge that survived the eruption)
- ruins of the fort church
- rue Mont-au-Ciel: a steep street that survived the eruption
- Centre de Découverte des Sciences de la Terre: museum to learn about volcanoes and Earth sciences (5 euros)
- Distillerie Depaz: working rum distillery (drive 5 mn from town)

The one downside of the city is that the 2 main streets (North South) are constantly traffic jammed, and there are big quarry trucks driving through all the time (to and from gravel quarries North of town).

Count about a day to visit it all at a leisurely pace.

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This lovely trail takes you along the Atlantic coast, in coastal forests, high dry plateau, and through deserted scenic beaches lined with coconut trees. Watch not to step on the scurrying hermit crabs in the forest!
Relatively flat and easy trail.

The trail is ~ 7 km long. Plan on 4 hours, + beach and swimming stops.

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Awsome views on the coast, secluded beaches and cliffs
Tropical himid forest
narrow muddy and slick trail
Lovely beach Anse Couleuvre (short hike from parking lot)
Ruins of plantation: Habitation of Anse Couleuvre
I only hiked the very beginning from Anse Couleuvre

The whole trail (Anse Couleuvre-Grand Rivière) is 16 km long. Plan more than 6 hours one way.

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Le Diamant is along the Route des Anses.
Famous rock island off-shore, Rocher du Diamant
Lovelu church, beach, and streets.
nice market in the morning
Good place for souvenir shopping

Be careful if you decide to swim on Le Diamant beach because there is a strong undertoe. Not the best beach to swim!

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"Route" is road in French, and "anse" means bay in local French (in standard French it means jug handle). Like all Martinique roads, this one twists and turn, goes up and down, but offers amazing view on this beautiful part of the Caribbean coast.
Beautiful views on Caribbean sea
Lovely villages: Trois Islet, Anses d'Arlet, Le Diamant
Lovely secluded beaches: Anse Noire and Anse Dufour
Hike Morne Larcher
Cliffs and beautiful beaches
View point on Rocher du Diamant

Plan at least 1/2 day. A full day if you stop at every village and do a beach stop.

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Fantastic view from coast to coast and on Montagne Pelée
Exhibition on Earth Sciences and the Volcano Observatory's purpose and history
Volcano, Earth quakes, and land slide monitoring. Scientists on call for natural disasters in Martinique and other Caribbean islands.

Count 1 hour.
Free.

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Set in beautifully landscaped park, Habitation Clément dates from the 18th century. The museum comprises a working distillery, the equipment of the old distillery, the renovated buildings of the plantation owner (18-19th century furniture) and main other buildings, and a rum shop. It also doubles as a contemporary art museum, exhibiting Caribbean artists paintings and sculptures. You learn about plantation life, Martinique flora, creole traditions. slavery, the economy of sugar cane and rum throughout times (very well done), and how rum is made. A must-see when you come to Martinique!

Plan a 2 hour visit
Open every day 9 am - 5:30 pm
7 euros per adult, 4 euros for 7-18 year olds, free for less than 7 year-olds

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Fantastic outdoor museum with reconstructed slave huts set in beautiful lush tropical vegetation. You take a one-hour tour with a guide (in French, but she knew English too, so I am sure she would obliged if necessary). You learn a lot about the use of local plants now and in the old days, and about life of the slaves during the plantation times. There are several types of huts, the style and make-up depending on the use and the region of Martinique. This is a must-see to learn about history and flora. And it is located in a beautiful little valley!

Count one hour. It costs 5 euros per person.
Open every day 10-12 am and 2-5:30 pm.