Here, the island's culture and history is shown, from before Columbus destroyed the peace between the Arawak and the Carib Indians. The colonisation is also described, the entry of the French, of Josephine's connection to the city and of the eruption of Mount Pelées. It is also possible to buy local art ware.
Just like the Eiffel Tower, this building was built in 1889 for the world exhibition in Paris, and it was sailed to the Caribbean piece by piece. Today, the building with its fantastic Roman-Byzantine mosaic is one of the most beautiful buildings on the island.
In the middle of the city there is a park where the inhabitants can relax in the open. In the park, a statute is raised of emperor Napoleon's Josephine, who was born on Martinique not far from the capital. There is also a market in the park, where you among many other things can buy art ware.
Carbet is situated between Fort-de-France and Mont Pelée. Two of the most famous persons, who have marked Martinique, have lived in this city. It was here Columbus went ashore when he arrived to the island, which he thought was the most beautiful island in the world. Paul Gauguin lived and painted here and today, a museum in the city exhibits his work.
The national park offers hiking trips in green areas with beautiful scenery and rare plants. For enthusiasts it is a great challenge to climb the volcano Mont Pelée, which is still active.
The beaches on Martinique are everything a sun-loving tourist may dream about. Sandy beaches in the shade of the palm trees, crystal clear water with a comfortable temperature and lots of sun. Diving at the beautiful coral reef is a very special experience. The beautiful turquoise blue water can be dangerous, however. There may be dangerous undercurrents and treacherous waves, which means that it is wisest not to swim too far. There are also sharks, jellyfish, sea urchins and electric eels, which must be avoided if you do not want to end your bathing trip too quickly.
The fine beaches are situated in the northern part of Martinique. Even though the black sand needs a little getting used to, the beach at Anse Ceron is a lovely place, where it is possible to bathe in the clear water, which may be a little treacherous at the northern part of the island.
In the northern Martinique near the city Carbet, a botanical garden has been set up beside the ruins of an old 17th century plantation. The garden is a sanctuary for butterflies flying around in the beautiful weather.
On the Caravelle peninsula there are ruins from a castle, which was erected by the Dubuc family when they arrived to the island in 1657. In the middle of the 18th century, the family had acquired great power on the island. Their story is told in a little museum next to the ruins of the castle.
Les Anses d'Arlets is in the southern Martinique. It is a fishing town with plenty of fine beaches and fantastic diving destinations, and the area is not far as crowded with tourists as e.g. Pointe du Bout.
In 1902, the volcano Mont Pelée erupted. It destroyed the city St Pierre and killed all its inhabitants except a convict, who was imprisoned in an underground cell. Today, the story about the catastrophe is told in the museum "Musée Volcanologique" in the rebuild city.
A little north of Fort-de-France is Les Jardin de Balata, which took 20 years for the founder of the garden to establish. In this impressive garden you find exotic plants and flowers from all of the Caribbean area and in the house belonging to the garden many exiting activities take place.
The largest tourist area on Martinique is on the opposite side of the bay on which Fort-de-France is situated. Some of the finest beaches are on the island Pointe du Bout, on which it is also possible to dive. Ferries leave from the capital to Pointe du Bout.
Several volcanoes characterize Martinique. The Mont Pelée is the largest volcano, which destroyed Martinique's former capital St. Pierre. There are mountains in the northern and central part of the island and often in wild nature scenery of tropical rainforests. Not far from Fort-de-France the mountains rise from the water surrounding the capital beautifully. In the northern Martinique, volcanic activity provides hot springs, which get the high temperature from the centre of the earth.
There is a museum in one of the beautiful houses from the colonial days in Fort-de-France, which occupies with the history of Martinique. The museum provides a historical image of the country and the people who lived on the island. The museum also shows many art objects made before the colonial days.
A boat trip of approximately 20 minutes takes the visitors for a trip from Fort-de-France to Les Trois Ilets, where Napoleon's empress Josephine lived until she moved to France when she was six years old. The museum shows portraits of her and her husband along with her bed and love letters written by Napoleon showing his love for her.
St. Anne is a charming little village near the sea on the southern part of Martinique. Here are wide beaches and small lagoons in the shade of coconut trees. The water is calm, and you can spend many hours by the sea.
Outside the southern coast of Martinique, a 180m tall black volcanic stone block sits in the water. British warships fire their canons as to commemorate British control of it. From this stone, the British shot at French ships with mounted canons. The stone has its own postal code, namely 97223 Le Diamant.
