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Martinique
Tourist Information
Tourist Offices Overseas: Belgium: Service Official Français du Tourisme: 21 Avenue de la Toison d’Or, 1060 Brussels, T25130762, F25143375.
Before Travelling
Documents: The regulations are the same as for France. In most cases the only document required for entry is a passport, the exceptions being citizens of Australia, South Africa, Bolivia, Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Turkey, when a visa is required.
The Tropical Rainforest
La Route de la Trace winds through the tropical rainforest on the slopes of the Pitons du Carbet from Fort-de-France to Morne Rouge on the southern slope of Montagne Pelée. The town was hit by a second eruption of Pelée on 20 August 1902.
South Martinique
Les Trois-Ilets: The small village of Les Trois-Ilets, across the bay from Fort-de-France, has a charming main square and is surrounded by tourist attractions. Empress Josephine, born Marie Josèph Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, was baptized in the church on the square.
North Martinique
TThe area of Basse-Pointe is the pineapple cultivation area of the island, where huge fields of spikey pineapple tops can be seen. Basse-Pointe is an old settlement with a late 17th-century church and a good view of the cliffs from the cemetery. Inland from here is Plantation Leyritz, a former plantation complex, complete with slave houses and machinery.
Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France was originally built around the Fort St-Louis in the 17th century. The settlement’s first name was Fort-Royal and its inhabitants are still called Foyalais. From 1681 it was the headquarters of the Royal Governor although St-Pierre was the commercial capital and seat of the bishop.
Shopping
Fort-de-France has ample scope for shoppers, with an abundance of boutiques selling the latest Paris fashions, as well as items by local designers, and numerous street markets where local handicrafts are on sale. Seekers of clothing and perfume should head for rue Victor Hugo and its two galleries (malls).
Golf & Other Sports
Golf: At Trois-Ilets is a magnificent, 18-hole championship golf course designed by Henry Trent Jones, with various facilities including two tennis courts, shops, snackbar, lessons and equipment hire. Green fees in high season are US$46 and in low season US$39, or you can book for a week (US$285, US$227) or a month (US$960, US$900).
Food & Drink
Sampling the French and Créole cuisine is one of the great pleasures of visiting Martinique. There is an abundance of restaurants, cafés, and snack bars to be found everywhere. The quality is generally very high so it is worth being adventurous and trying the various dishes and eating places.
Festivals
Martinique has more than its fair share of festivals. The main pre-lenten carnival, Mardi Gras, takes place in February or March when the whole of Martinique takes to the streets in fantastic costume. On Ash Wednesday, black and white clad ‘devils’ parade the streets lamenting loudly over the death of Vaval.
Entertainment
Nightclubs abound and tend to be very expensive (70F to get in and the same price for a drink, whether orange juice or a large whisky). Nightclubs include Le New Hippo, 24 Boulevard Allègre, Fort-de-France, T602022; Le Cheyenne, 4 rue Garnier Pagès; Le West Indies, rue Ernest Deproge; Zipp’s Club, Dumaine, François, T546545.
Beaches & Watersports
Sailing and windsurfing at Club de la Voile de Fort-de-France, Pointe de la Vièrge, T614969, and Pointe des Carrières, T633137; Club Nautique de Marin, Bassin la Tortue, Pointe du Marin, T749248; Club Nautique du François, Route de la Jetée, T543100; Club Nautique du Vauclin, Pointe Faula, T745058; Yacht Club de la Martinique, Fort de France, T702360; Base de Plei
Accommodations
Martinique offers a wide range of accommodation from the modest family-run auberges scattered over the remote and spectacular north, to the huge five-star complexes of Pointe du Bout and Trois Ilets, the main tourist area, in the south. 20 hotels with over 60 rooms are classed as Grand Hôtellerie. About 100 smaller places are grouped as Relais Créoles.
Entertainment
For those whose visit does not coincide with any festivals, there is plenty of other entertainment. The Ballet Martiniquais (T 63 43 88) is one of the world’s most prestigious traditional ballet companies. Representing everyday scenes in their dance, they wear colourful local costume and are accompanied by traditional rhythms.
Communication
Postal services
Post offices are open from 0700-1800 and Sat mornings. The main post office is on Rue de la Liberté and always has long queues. Post card to USA 3.70F
Telecommunications