The botanical garden of Balata is the work of Jean-Philippe Thoze who collected rare, tropical plants over a 20-year period. Heliconias, ginger, begonias, orchids and bromelia paint a vivid picture, alternating between bright splashes of colour and..

A walk round the historic district of Fort-de-France, just behind the harbour, will unveil a host of picturesque traditional wooden houses and colonial edifices such as the spruce Pavillon Bougenot , dating from 1887, and Maison Saint-Cyr , in the ..

St-Louis Cathedral, not to be missed, the work of Henri Picq , and its 58m-high spire have stood on Rue Victor-Shoelcher since 1895. Built on the site of St Louis Church, which fell foul of an earthquake and a fire, this metallic structure was desig..

The Regional Museum of History and Ethnography features the discovery of a handsome colonial period house surrounded by a garden. The travel through time continues inside the house, which has recreated a late-19C interior, providing an insight into d..

The 1 750m-high Alma canyon is the most beautiful canyon of the Pitons; Blanche river has formed a 617m-high waterfall . It can be reached in two ways. Hikers can take the easy (90min) loop through the hygrophile forest (humid and tropical) of the..

The botanic and floral Ombrages trail, which runs alongside the ravine of Capot River, is located on the site of the former Sancé rum factory. All around are fig trees and hundred-year-old Bombacaceae trees, whose roots can reach 1.20m in height. At ..

The Butterfly Garden is a conservatory, which provides the opportunity to observe butterflies in their natural milieu, namely lush, pleasant vegetation. The garden is by a riverside and a 30min walk leads to an 18C fortress, which commands a fantasti..

Destroyed by lava in 1902, the Habitation Anse-Latouche (17C) was one of the first plantations founded in Martinique. The ruins stretch out on either side of Anse-Latouche River, the slaves' huts were on the right bank and the masters' quarters on th..

If any single district exemplifies the Martiniquais determination to fight back after the devastation caused in 1902, it is that of Le Mouillage. Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral was renovated just 20 years after the eruption, and an exact replic..

Even if the Habitation Céron is nowadays entirely devoted to a different type of activity, its late-18C edifices continue to bear witness to the island's past and sugar industry. The visit will introduce you to daily life in a habitation (Martinique ..

Heavenly beaches and superb vistas await hikers along the Anses du nord Trail (2-3hr). In former times, the path enabled carts and carriages to travel between Le Prêcheur and Grand’Rivière, but today it is only dotted with ruins. The stunning natural..

You cannot miss the Church of St Anne, built in 1667, then rebuilt between 1741 and 1813. Its timber frame, in the shape of an overturned boat hull bears witness to the know-how of the marine carpenters who also built religious edifices. Above the ta..

A visit to the Habitation Beauséjour will reveal a well-preserved 17C property, featuring all the characteristic details of Martinique homes from the colonial mansion to the rue case-nègres . Formerly devoted to sugarcane, the estate's amazing hyd..

It is undeniable that a Hindu temple in the midst of a Martinique estate can seem incongruous. Such however is the sight at the Galion sugar factory, a testimony to the presence of Indian coolies on the island after the abolition of slavery. The es..

A Caribbean buccaneer! It must be admitted that the reputation of Pierre Dubuc, after whom the castle is named, can hardly be deemed anything other than dubious. Although his estate was officially a sugar plantation, according to legend, he engaged i..

The volcanic Robert Isles occupy a superb 8km-long bay sheltered by the Pointe Rouge to the north and the Pointe La Rose to the south. They are reached by yole (wooden sailing boats with little draught) in the company of fishermen, a guided tour ..

The enchanting little beach of Anse Figuier and its calm water are lined by a lush green garden and are easily accessible. The gently sloping beach, a great favourite among families with young children, also has a play area and a snack bar.

Despite its popularity with holiday makers, the bay of Grande-Anse has remained unpretentious, most probably because of the Martinique families who come here to picnic and swim in the sea. Little huts covered in corrugated iron roofs are home to snac..

Quieter and more unspoilt even than Anse Dufour, the delightful cove of Anse Noire can be recognised by its distinctive black sand. The cove is just beneath a volcanic peak.

La Savane des Esclaves extends an invitation to discover Martinique's authentic lifestyles and traditions. The visit and commentary of the traditional cases make it possible to better understand how the huts were built and the slaves' daily lives, ..