MARTINIQUE - FACT SHEET 200 6 ESSENTIALS: Capital:
Fort-de-France.
Location:
Martinique is 1,965 miles from New York, 1,470 miles from Miami, 2,270 miles from Montreal, 425 miles from San Juan, and 4,261 miles from Paris.
Size:
The Island covers 425 square miles, is 50 miles long and 22 miles wide.
Population:
429,510 (July 2004 estimate).
AIRPORT: Aéroport International du Lamentin, Tel. (596) 596 42 16 00 For information on flight arrivals and departures: Tel. (596) 596 42 19 95. AREA CODE The telephone country code for Martinique is 596. To call from the U.S., dial 011 (international dialing code) + 596 + nine digit local number (596 + local number). ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TAXES: None. For charter flights only. CHARACTERISTICS: Martinique is truly “a little bit of France in the Caribbean.” It exudes a distinctly French feeling — in the excellence of its cuisine, the chic of its women, and the beauty of its language. Yet Martinique has a cachet all its own, an endearing West Indian warmth and friendliness in its personality, a special spice in its music and dance, its local dishes, and its way of life. It is an island with style. After the eruption of Mount Pelee volcano, Fort-de-France became the capital City of the island. Built like an amphitheater around the yacht-filled harbor, it is backed by luxuriant mountains and is one of the most memorable, picturesque settings in the Caribbean. It is a city of just over 100,000, with narrow balconied streets, busy and bustling by day, generally quiet by night. Many centuries ago, the Carib Indians called the island Madinina, “Isle of Flowers.” And so it is even today, a land of hibiscus, frangipani, bougainvillea, anthuriums, poinsettias and orchids.
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There are fields rich in guava, mango and papaya, and vast plantations of bananas, pineapple, sugar cane, cinnamon and coffee. In the tropical rain forests, ferns grow tall as trees and green comes in a hundred different shades. CLIMATE: The mean temperature averages 79°F. Two regular alternating wind currents (east and northeast) cool the atmosphere. These are the tradewinds, called les alizés. There is only about a 5° difference between summer and winter temperatures. CUISINE: Two types of cuisine predominate: traditional French and island Creole. Many restaurants combine the best from both. Seafood appears on all menus, sometimes prepared in Creole style with spices, sometimes in a more classic French manner with herbs. Martinique is renowned for the quality and variety of its restaurants, which number more than 150. Local rum drinks often precede a meal and imported French wines accompany a meal. Prices per person for three-courses without wine range from inexpensive (under $30 or about 26,79€) to moderate ($30 to $50 or about 26,79€ to 44,64)) to expensive ($50 and up or about 44,64€ and up). Restaurants accept major credit cards. Ti Gourmet is a good illustrated guide available free from the Tourist Office. CULTURAL CENTERS: L’Atrium Cultural Center, Fort-de-France (opera, music, dance), Tel.(596)596.60.78.78, Fax.(596)596.60.88.20 Le Théatre de la ville de Fort-de-France, corner of Victor Sévère street and République street (music, danse), Tel.(596) 596.59.60.63 CMAC, Tel.(596) 596.70.79.29, Fax.(596) 596.63.52.07. On the internet: www.cmac.mq. By email: cmac@cgit.com SERMAC, Tel.(596) 596.73.60.25 organizes the Festival of Fort-de-France every July and has activities year-round OMC du Marin, Tel.(596) 596.74.90.74, organizes the Marin Festival every August OMC du Robert, tel. (596) 596.38 10 01 or (596)596.65.47. 31 OMDAC, Sainte-Marie, tel. (596) 596.69 40 62 OMC, Saint-Pierre, tel. (596)596.78 15 41 Fond St.Jacques, Sainte-Marie, tel. (596)596.69 10 12, fax. (596)596.69 21 58 CURRENCY: Legal tender is the EURO as of January 1st 2002. U.S. and Canadian dollars are accepted almost everywhere. The rate of exchange, in Jan. 2004, is approximately 0.80$ to €1 euro. The rate is subject to change due to currency fluctuation. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Items for personal use (e.g. tobacco, cameras, and film) are admitted without formalities or tax if not in excessive quantity. For other items, French regulations apply. DISTILLERIES: Most rum distilleries offer free tours and sampling. Bally, in Carbet, Tel. (596)596.78 08 94 Clement, in François, Tel. (596)596.54 62 07, www.rhum-clement.com (Entrance fee)
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Depaz, in St.Pierre, Tel. (596)596.78 13 14 Dillon, in Fort-de-France, Tel. (596)596.75 20 20, Fax. (596)596.75 30 33 JM Crassous de Medeuil, in Macouba, Tel. (596)596.78 92 55, Fax. (596)596.78 58 38 La Favorite, in Lamentin, Tel. (596)596.50 47 32 La Mauny, in Rivière Pilote, Tel. (596)596.62 62 08 Neisson, in Carbet, Tel. (596)596.78 03 70 Saint-Etienne, in Gros-Morne, Tel. (596)596.57 62 68 St. James, in Sainte-Marie, Tel. (596)596.69 30 02 Trois-Rivières, in Ste.Luce, Tel. (596)596.62 51 78 (Entrance fee) DRESS: Summer clothes and lightweight resort wear are suitable year round. In the evening, women often wear chic casual blouses and skirts or pants, and men sport lightweight shirts and slacks. A sweater or wrap is recommended for the occasional cool evening. Bathing suits are for pool, beach, or boat, but not for town. Martinique is fashion conscious and many top designers are represented in boutiques and shops. ELECTRICITY: Voltage is 220 AC, 50 cycles. Appliances made in the U.S. and Canada require French plug converters and transformers. EMERGENCIES: The equivalent of 911 in the U.S. can be dialed free in Martinique: for medical emergencies: dial 15; police: 17; fire: 18. Boat emergency, Tel. (596)596.71 92 92. ENTRY FORMALITIES: For stays up to three months, U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling as tourists must have a valid passport. For stays over three months, or for non-tourist visits, a valid passport with a visa is necessary. Resident aliens of the U.S. and Canada, and visitors from countries other than those of the European Union (E.U.) and Japan, must have a valid passport and visa. A return or onward ticket is also required of all visitors. No vaccination papers required unless arriving from an endemic area. Cruise visitors are still able to enter with an expired passport of less than 5 years for a day stopover in Martinique. EXCURSIONS TO NEARBY ISLANDS: Interesting excursions to Antigua, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mustique and nearby islands are offered through tour operators like Madinina, Tel. (596)596.70 65 25, carriers such as Air Caraïbes, aircaraibes.com, also Air Antilles: www.airantilles.com and ferry services such as Express des Iles, Tel. (596)596.63 12 12, Fax. (596) 596.63 34 47. FIREARMS: Yachts are permitted to have firearms on board, but they must be declared. GARDENS & PARKS:
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All gardens and parks are open daily. Admission fee. Balata Botanical Gardens, in Fort-de-France, tel. (596)596.64 48 73, fax. (596)596.64 73 40 Banana Museum, in Sainte-Marie, tel. (596)596.69 45 52, fax. (596)596.69 45 51 Habitation Clement, in François, tel. (596)596.54 62 07, fax. (596)596.54 63 50 Exotarium, Fort-de-France, tel. (596)596.71 33 96, fax. (596)596.60 91 69 Habitation Céron, in Prêcheur, tel. (596)596.52 94 53 Les Ombrages Botanical and Floral Path, Ajoupa Bouillon Leyritz Plantation, in Basse-Pointe, tel. (596)596.78 53 92, fax. (596)596.78 92 44 MacIntosh Plantation, in Morne-Rouge, tel. 52 47 47, fax. (596)596.52 35 17 Les jardins de la Pelée, in Morne Rouge, Tel. (596)596.52 42 51 GETTING THERE: BY AIR: From major U.S. gateways via Point-à-Pître on Air Caraïbes or on Air Antilles. From Miami, Air France flies jets (737’s) daily. Air Jamaica and BWIA offer daily service from JFK with a LIAT connection in Antigua or Barbados. Air Caraïbes flies to and from Guadeloupe, several times a day to and from, Barbados, St.Martin, Dominica, Antigua, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad.
BY BOAT: Martinique can also be reached from Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Dominica and Les Saintes by the sleek catamarans of Express des Iles, Tel. (590)590.91 52 15, Fax. (596)596.63 34 47, www.express-des-iles.com, email: info-reservation@express-des-iles.com; and Brudey Frères, Tel. (596)596.70 08 50, Fax. (596)596.70 53 75, also Caribbean Ferries Cie, Tel: 596 596 63 68 68, Fax 596 596 63 25 28, caribbeanferries.fdf@wanadoo.fr . Each offers several trips weekly. A sample round-trip fare between Guadeloupe and Martinique on Express des Iles is 80€ (approximately $97) and the trip takes between 3 and 3 ¾ hours.
BY CRUISE SHIP: Some dock at the Passenger Terminal at the harbor port a few minutes’ drive from the city’s center. A recent addition is the Pointe Simon Cruise Dock, which can accommodate two large ships at a time and allows passengers to disembark right in the heart of Fort-de-France where a “Welcome Brigade” of young hosts and hostesses are posted to assist visitors. Immigration and Customs officials board ships and give clearance within a half-hour. Passengers do not go through any formalities, nor is there a going-ashore tax.
GETTING AROUND: Renting a car: Driving is on the right side of the road, like in the U.S. A valid driver’s license is needed to rent a car. Minimum age is 21. Most car rental companies in Fort-de-France are open 8 a.m. to noon or 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 until 5 or 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. on Saturdays. At Lamentin Airport, hours depend on international flight schedules. Rates can begin as low as 30€ (about $37) a day or 200€ (about $245) a week, including taxes, insurance and unlimited mileage. Major credit cards are accepted everywhere. Car rental companies include: Avis, toll free (800) 331 1084, Tel. (596)596.42 11 00 – Fax. (596)596.51 50 84 Budget, toll free (800) 527 0700, Tel. (596)596.42 16 79, fax (596)596.51 36 56, www.budget.antilles.com Carib Rent-a-Car, Tel. (596)596.42 16 15, Fax. (596)596.57 02 02 rentacar-caraibes.com
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Euradom Airport, Tel. (596)596.42 17 05, Fort-de-France, Tel. (596)596.60 10 93, Fax. (596)596. 51 11 70 Europcar, Tel. (596)596.42 42 42, Fax. (596)596.42 42 44 Grabin’s Car Rental, Tel. (596)596.71 51 61, Fax. (596)596.60 40 62 Hertz, toll free (800) 654 3001, Tel. (596)596.51 54 55, Fax. (596)596.51 26 46 hertzantilles.com Jumbo Car, Tel. (596)596.42 22 26, Fax. (596)596.42 22 32 jumbocar.com Nad in Car, Tel. (596)596.61 14 00, Fax. (596)596.61 25 88 National Citer, Tel. (596)596.42 16 82, Fax. (596)596.63 46 43 nationalcar-antilles.com Pop’s Car, Tel. (596)596.42 16 84, Fax. (596)596.42 16 85 Rapid Auto, Tel. (596)596.61 82 73, Fax. (596)596.61 19 20 email: rapidauto.location@wanadoo.fr Sea Sun Location, Tel. (596)596.66 01 04, Fax. (596)596.66 05 58 seasun-martinique.com
By Taxi: Martinique Taxis (596) 596 63 63 62. Taxi stands are located at the airport, in downtown Fort-de-France, and at major hotels. All cabs are metered. Approximate fares: airport to Pointe du Bout hotels, 40€; airport to center of Fort-de-France, 35€. Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., the taxi surcharge is 40%. Martinique has more than 200 taxis; 80% of them are Mercedes-Benz. While public buses are inexpensive, much public transport is by collective taxis, 8passenger limousines bearing the sign TC. (There are some 400 TC’s all over the island.) Hours: early a.m. to 6 p.m. In Fort-de-France, the main collective taxi terminal is at Pointe Simon.
By ferry: Fort-de-France to Trois-Ilets Somatour links Fort-de-France to the resort area of Pointe-du-Bout daily from early morning to midnight; Vedettes Madinina, Tel. (596)596.63 06 46, Fax. (596) 596.63 80 68 links Fort-de-France to the resort area of Anse-Mitan in Trois-Ilets, and Matinik Cruise Line travels from Fort-de-France to downtown Trois-Ilets Monday to Saturday. Arrival and departure point in Fort-de-France for all ferries (navettes or vedettes, as they are called locally) is the Quai d’Esnambuc. The price (since January 2004) for a round-trip ticket between Fort-de-France and Pointe du Bout (20mns crossing): 6€ for adults, about €3.10 for children 2 to 11 (4€ one way). Round-trip between Fort-de-France and Anse Mitan or Anse à l’Ane is the same.
GOVERNMENT: Martinique became an Overseas Département of France in 1946, a status identical to the departments of metropolitan France. In 1974, it gained the further status of Région, and in 1983 a Conseil Régional was established. A Prefect is appointed by the French Minister of the Interior. The electorate sends four Deputies and two Senators to the French Parliament. A legislative body, the Conseil Général, is elected by the citizens of Martinique and has 45 representatives. The Conseil Régional, also elected by the citizens, has 41 members. Each town has its own mayor.
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GROUND OPERATORS: Banana Tours, Tel. (596)596.63 66 77, Fax. (596)596.71 28 38, contact. Elisabeth Alie, email: banana.tours@wanadoo.fr Caribjet, Tel. (596)596.51 90 00, Fax. (596)596.51 70 71, contact: Elisabeth Barbosa / Louis Jabes, email : caribjet.fdf@wanadoo.fr Carib Recept, Tel. (011 33) 1 55 70 23 00, Fax : (011 33) 1 55 70 23 01, contact : Olivier de la Houssaye, General Manager in France, odlh@groupecaribtours.com; Tel. (596) 596.50 20 04, Fax. (596)596.50 20 04 or 50 15 13, contact: Thierry Blanc, tblanc@caribrecept.com www.caribrecept.com; Contact Tour operator: Michael Buclon, mbuclon@caribrecept.com Tel. (596) 596 50 11 87 / Fax. (596) 596 50 15 13 Congrès Communication, Tel. (596) 596.74 26 66, Fax (596) 596.74 26 65, contact: Monica Catonné, email. balahou@outremer.com, www.acoma.mq Société Eventdom, Tel: (596) 596 60 17 23, Fax: (596) 596 75 25 57, contact: Harold Andrivon, email. Harold.andrivon@wanadoo.fr, Cell: (596) 696 24 32 11 Madinina Tours, Tel. (596) 596.42 17 07, Fax. (596) 596.42 17 16, contact: Alain Fléchon, General director or Christine Aurore, Group manager, email: Madinina.tours@wanadoo.fr STT Voyage, Tel. (596)596.71 68 12, Fax. (596)596.63 52 91, contact. Mme Moutoussamy CRUISE OPERATORS: Roger Albert Voyages, Tel. (596)596.72 44 44, contact. Philippe Bon, email: phb@rogeralbertvoyages.com Cama Shipping, Tel. (596)596.71 31 00, Fax. (596)596.63 54 40, contact: Donald Monplaisir, email : camashipping@wanadoo.fr Aventures Tropicales, contact : Pierre Martin, email: aventures-tropicales@wanadoo.fr HISTORY: When Columbus landed in 1502, the island to which he gave the name Martinique was peopled by the Carib Indians who called it Matinino or Madinina. They had driven away the Arawaks who, like themselves, had come to the island from South America. The island was claimed by France in 1635 and officially annexed by the King of France in 1674. France and Britain fought over the island until 1815, when it was restored to France. An important date in Martinique’s history occurred 150 years ago on May 22, 1848, when slavery was abolished. In 1946, Martinique became a Department of France and in 1974 a Region of France. Historical sites worth seeing include La Pagerie, where Napoléon’s Empress Joséphine was born in 1763 (the year that France relinquished rights to Canada in exchange for the French West Indies); Diamond Rock, a 600-ft. pinnacle in the sea manned by the British in 1804 and occupied by them as a sloop of war for 18 months, and St-Pierre, Martinique’s principal city until May 8, 1902, when Mt. Pelée Volcano erupted, wiping out the city and its 30,000 people in three minutes. HOSPITALS & HEALTH: Health services and medical equipment are both modern and comprehensive. There are 20 hospitals and clinics (La Meynard, tel: (596)596.55 20 00, is outstanding) and specialists in every branch of medicine. The Tourist Office or hotels will assist in locating English-speaking doctors. Martinique has one doctor for every 637 inhabitants. Visiting doctors “SOS Médecins” services, Tel. (596)596.63 33 33.
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INTERNET ACCESS: For internet access: Premier Plan Multimedia in the lobby of Kalenda Resort allows users internet access for a fee (5, 33€ for 15 min, 22.86€ for 2 hours), Tel. (596)596.66 07 07. In Fort-de-France, Cyber Club Caraibes, 16 François Arago Street, open from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 8 pm and on Saturdays, from 8 am to 10 pm. €3 for 15 min, €7 for one hour . LANGUAGE: French and Creole. English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities, but it is useful to bring along a French phrase book and pocket dictionary. MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS: Documents needed for foreigners to wed: birth certificate (or copy with raised seal); certificate of good conduct (including certification of “single status”); residency card (one of the couple must have resided on the island at least one month); medical certificate (including blood test) issued within three months of marriage; French translation of English language documents. A Bulletin de Mariage and Livret de Famille are delivered at ceremony. No fee is involved.
MEETINGS AND INCENTIVES Whether for meetings or incentive, Martinique offers a wealth of activities for groups. Excursions include cultural visits. Meeting facilities include Madiana Palais des Congrès convention center in Schoelcher, L’Atrium, and La Meynard Hospital. Many hotels also offer meeting rooms and facilities: in Pointe du Bout, Le Méridien Trois-Ilets, Sofitel Bakoua, Novotel Carayou, in the Diamant resort area, Novotel Diamant, near Fort-de-France La Valmenière, and in the north, 17th century Leyritz Plantation. Incentive planners can organize events at a large number of venues: the Clement Plantation, La Pagerie Museum, the SaintJames distillery or the Habitation Lagrange. And even the Fort St.Louis in Fort-de-France. Local ground operators have the ability to handle a variety of events (see listing) MONEY EXCHANGE & BANKS: Money exchanges in Fort-de-France include Change Caraïbe at 4 rue Ernest Deproge, open 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. Martinique Change at 137 rue Victor Hugo, Tel. (596)596.63 80 33. At the airport, Change Caraïbe, Tel. (596)596.42 17 11 is open from 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Fort-de-France banks include: Crédit Martiniquais, 17 rue de la Liberté, Tel. (596)596.59 93 00 BNP, Banque Nationale de Paris, 72 ave. des Caraïbes, Tel. (596)596.59 46 00 (from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) Banque des Antilles Françaises /Crédit Lyonnais, 28 rue Lamartine, Tel. (596)596.60 72 72 Société Générale de Banque aux Antilles (SGBA), 21 rue de la Liberté, Tel. (596)596.72 82 82 Crédit Mutuel, 48 Boulevard du Génrral de Gaulle, Tel. (596)596.59 74 00
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Crédit Agricole Mutuel, rue Ernest Deproge, Tel. (596)596.70 01 92, or 55 rue Schoelcher (closes Monday, opens Saturday morning). Bank hours are 7:30 a.m.-noon, and 2:30-4:30 p.m. (BNP opens from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) Banks close Saturdays and afternoons preceding holidays. BNP, Credit Mutuel and Crédit Agricole operate 24-hour ATM’s all around Martinique. MUSEUMS: Twenty five museums, each with a distinct personality, provide a wonderful opportunity to explore Martinique’s history and heritage. They are small, designed for easy visiting, and scattered throughout the island. Some, like La Pagerie, are de-voted to such island personalities as Empress Joséphine, others to historical events like the Mt. Pelée Volcano eruption, others to prehistoric Martinique, the abolition of slavery, rum production, bananas, etc. Of note at Anse Figuier is the seaside Ecomusée de Martinique, a retrospective from Amerindian times, through colonialism, slavery and the plantation economy, to present day traditions. Modest entrance fees. Museums include: Chateau Dubuc, Trinité, Tel. (596)596.64 42 59 Ecomusée (Ecomuseum), Rivière Pilote, Tel. (596)596.62 79 14 Habitation Clement, in François, Tel. (596)596.54 62 07, Fax. (596)596.54 63 50 La Pagerie, Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596)596.68 38 34 or (596)596.68 33 06 Maison de la Canne (Sugarcane Museum), Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596)596.68 32 04 Maison du Carnaval (Carnival museum), Fort-de-France, Tel. (596)596.73 49 07 Maison du Volcan (Volcano museum), Morne Rouge, Tel. (596)596.52 45 45 Musée “Gen Lontan” (Traditional Costumes Museum), Fort de France, Tel. (596)596.63 88 62
Musée Amérindien McIntosh (Amerindian museum), Morne Rouge, Tel.(596)596.52 47 47 Musée de Figurines Végétales (Doll Museum), Basse Pointe, Tel. (596)596.78 53 92 Musée de l’Habitation de l’Anse, Carbet, Tel. (596)596.78 37 69 Musée de la Banane (Banana Museum), Sainte-Marie, Tel. (596)596.69 45 52, Fax. (596)596.69 45 01 Musée Départemental d’Archéologie Précolombienne (Precolumbian Museum), Fort-deFrance, Tel. (596)596.71 57 05 Musée Régional d’Histoire et d’Ethnographie (History museum), Fort-de-France, Tel. (596)596.72 81 87, Fax. (596)596.63 74 11 Musée Vulcanologique (Volcano Museum), Saint-Pierre, Tel. (596)596.78 15 16 Paul Gauguin Museum, Carbet, Tel. (596)596.78 22 66 St.James Rum Museum, Sainte-Marie, Tel. (596)596.69 30 02 or (596)596.69 39 39
NIGHTLIFE: Casinos: Martinique has two gambling casinos: one located in the Kalenda Resort Hotel, Tel. (596)596.66 00 30, open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and a large new one, Casino de la Batelière Plazza, north of town, Tel. (596)596.61.73.23, open nightly from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. and to 4 a.m. on week ends). Both open as soon as 10 am for slot machines. At night, American or French roulette and blackjack are the games played. Proof of identity (e.g., valid passport or driver’s license with photo) required. Dress is casual; no tie or jacket needed. No entry fee for slot machines. Legal gambling age: 18.
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Discotheques / Piano bars: There are a dozen good nightspots in Fort-de-France and out of town with a zouk or jazz beat, a few piano bars, and such late night discos as Holly Night in Sainte Luce, Le Zénith, Le Yucca Bar and the New Hippo in town, Top 50 in Trinité, the Beverly Hills in Marin, Le Chalet in Rivière Salée, and the H Club in Ducos. Other night spots include le Cheyenne, Le West Indies and Latin Club in Fort-de-France, Calebasse Café and Le Zanzibar in Marin and l’Endroit in Sainte-Anne. Check the local newspaper “France-Antilles” for musical events and venues. Many hotels have dancing, as well as shows by Les Grands Ballets de la Martinique, Les Balisiers or Pom’ Cannelle, fine troupes of talented dancers, singers and musicians. Legal drinking age is 18. Discotheques include: Holly Night, Ste.Luce, Tel. (596)596.68 56 68 H’Club, Ducos, Tel. (596)596.56 00 69 Bar Casino, Kalenda resort Hotel, Tel (596) 596 66 64 15 Le Chalet, Rivière Salée, Tel. (596)596.68 19 48 Top 50 Club, Trinité, Tel. (596)596.58 61 43 L’Amadeus, Fort-de-France Manhattan, Fort-de-France, Tel. (596) 596 60 46 69 Tribal Café, Fort-de-France Xenakys Club, Fort-de-France, Tel. (596)596.63 60 63 Piano bars include: L’Endroit, Sainte-Anne, Tel. (596)596.76 76 74 L’Amphore, Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596) 596 66 03 09 L’Hemingway, Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596)596.66 14 24 Le Cheyenne, Lamentin, Tel. (596)596.70 31 19 Le Karaoke Café, Lamentin, Tel. (596)596.50 07 71 Le Calebasse Café, Marin, Tel (596) 596 74 69 27 Le Zanzibar, Marin, Tel. (596) 596 74 08 46 Le Coco Loco, Fort-de-France, Tel. (596) 596 63 63 77 Little Havana, Fort-de-France, Tel (596) 596 70 19 31 Le Yucca Bar, Fort-de-France, Tel (596) 596 60 48 36 Mayflower, Fort-de-France, Tel. (596) 596 70 54 45 Les Trois Brasseurs, Schoelcher, Tel. (596) 596 72 15 29 PET REGULATIONS: Cats and dogs over three months old are admitted temporarily with certificates of origin and good health (or anti-rabies inoculation), issued by a licensed veterinarian from the country of shipment. Check with hotels regarding their policy on pets. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Martinique has 17 public holidays: New Year, Carnival (Monday, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Victory 1945 (May 8), Abolition of Slavery (May 22), Ascension Thursday, Pentecost Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption Day (August 15), All Saints Day (Nov 1 and 2), Armistice Day (Veterans Day USA, Nov.11), Christmas (Dec.25).
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RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witness, Methodist, Evangelical, Evangelical Christian, Baptist, Jewish, Hindu and Islamic. SHOPPING: French perfumes, crystal, 18-karat gold Creole jewelry, designer accessories, watches, liqueurs, spices, dolls, shell and straw work, patchwork tapestries, and island rums are all popular buys. Jewelry stores like Cadet Daniel and Venutolo and perfume specialist Roger Albert, which cater as much to visitors as to locals, open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, and Saturday mornings. There is a 20% discount on luxury items paid for by travelers’ check or credit card. The most frequented shopping streets are Rue Victor Hugo, Rue Moreau de Jones, Rue Antoine Siger and Rue Lamartine. The airport duty-free shops are open prior to plane departures. Paintings and sculpture by native-born Martiniquais or artists who have moved to the island can be found at galleries in Fort-de-France and at some hotels. 5 mn from the airport, outside of Fort-de-France, La Galleria, the largest shopping center in the West-Indies opens Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS: FORT-DE-FRANCE: Martinique’s capital is wonderful to explore on foot. Among the sightseeing attractions is the city’s architectural masterpiece, the Bibliothèque Schoelcher, or Schoelcher Library, a Romanesque-Byzantine gem built more than 100 years ago for the Paris Exposition of 1889, then dismantled and shipped to Martinique mosaic by mosaic. Named for Victor Schoelcher, the French abolitionist whose work helped end slavery on the island in 1848, it sits just off La Savane, the city’s Central Park. La Savane’s gardens make for nice strolling and picture taking. The edge nearest the bay has a market for crafts, straw goods and souvenirs. The park boasts two impressive statues: one of Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, who was born in Trois-Ilets across the bay, and made history as Napoléon’s Empress Joséphine, the other of Pierre Belain d’Esnambuc, the French nobleman who claimed the island for France in 1635. Two years later the first settlers built a wooden fort on the small peninsula south of La Savane, which was enlarged in 1640 and became the very strategic Fort Saint-Louis. A French naval post today, it can be visited Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The capital’s narrow balconied streets, lined with shops and restaurants, each lead to a pleasant discovery: The Cathedral of Saint-Louis, built and rebuilt seven times over the centuries (most recently in 1895), topped with a 200-foot steeple and ad-mired for its iron framework, decorated transepts and magnificent organ; the Palais de Justice, whose four neoclassical buildings surround a statue of Schoelcher; Le Théatre Municipal, the former city hall, used now for theatrical productions and art shows; the Musée Départemental with archeological finds from prehistoric times; the Musée Régional d’Histoire et d’Ethnographie which retraces the history and the ethnography of Martinique and the Rivière Madame with its busy colorful fish markets. Azimut, tel/Fax. (596)596.60 16 59, offers four fine, nicely priced guided walking tours of Fort-de-France.
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THE NORTH COAST: The classic tour of Martinique travels north along the Caribbean coast to St-Pierre, the “Paris of the West Indies” until 1902 when Mont Pelée Volcano erupted and turned it into a New World Pompeii. A museum on the spot vividly portrays the tragedy. A nice way to visit this historic town is on the little train, the Cyparis Express, Tel. (596)596.55 50 92 or (596) 596.81 88 71/70. One-hour tours weekdays and half-hour tours weekends cost 8€ for adults, 4€ for children. Take the time to visit the Centre de Découverte des Sciences de la Terre (Earth Sciences Discovery Center), Tel. (596) 596 52 82 42. In 1990, St-Pierre was designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire. The drive from Fort-de-France takes about an hour, but stops along the way are recommended, including the fishing villages of Case-Pilote, Bellefontaine, and especially Carbet. Carbet, whose seaside houses a number of delightful seafood and lobster reseat-rants, is the last village before St-Pierre. This is where Columbus landed in 1502 and where Gauguin lived and painted in 1887. The exact spot at Anse Turin that was the famous artist’s home is now the Paul Gauguin Museum, open daily and well worth a visit. Half an hour past St-Pierre is Habitation Céron, a 17th-century sugar estate re-stored by the Marraud des Grottes family, boasting impressive vegetation and huge, centuries-old trees, Tel. (596) 52 94 53. To the north is Le Prêcheur, the last village along this Caribbean coast, known for hot springs of volcanic origin and the Tomb of the Carib Indians. Inland is Morne Rouge, a pretty town with a cool climate and site of MacIntosh Plantation, which cultivates Martinique’s best-known flower, the anthurium, and houses the new Musée Amérindien, a wealth of ceramics, archeological pre-colombian artifacts, and Amerindian ethnological objects left by noted historian, Jacques Petitjean Roget. Nearby is La Trace, a dazzling route through the rain forest. This mountainous north is studded with banana and pineapple plantations, avocado groves, cane fields, and such lovely old island inns as Leyritz Plantation and Habitation Lagrange. Like Habitation Céron, they welcome guests for dining. Other noteworthy communities in the north include Ajoupa-Bouillon, an enchanting flowerlined town with a nature trail called Les Ombrages and, nearby, the Gorges de la Falaise, mini canyons along the Falaise River that lead to a waterfall; Grand’Rivière, a picturesque fishing village constantly braving the fierce Atlantic Ocean; Sainte-Marie and its Musée de la Banane, Trinité and the Caravelle Peninsula at whose tip stand the ruins of the Château Dubuc, a spot as intriguing as some of its family members who include Louis-François Dubuc, the man instrumental in preventing the spread of the French Revolution to Martinique, and Aimée Dubuc de Rivery who, like Joséphine, was destined for history. Returning home to Martinique after schooling in Nantes, she was captured by pirates, sold into slavery, then given as a present to the Sultan of Constantinople. Aimée became Sultana Validé, mother of Sultan Mahmoud II. SAMPLING THE RUM: As rich as the island’s history is the island’s soil, whose sugar cane gives birth to rums considered among the best in the world. They were awarded the prestigious French label “appellation d’origine contrôlée” previously only reserved for French cheeses and wines. Distilleries abound and all of them welcome visitors for a sampling of their product.
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At Sainte-Marie in the north is the St. James Distillery whose Musée du Rhum has long been a popular attraction. At Le François on the east coast, Rhum Clément has tours of its charming 18th-century Domaine Acajou, site of the March ’91 Summit Meeting of Presidents Bush and Mitterrand, and boasts a fine contemporary museum as well. Other distilleries include Bally, Depaz, Dillon, JM Crassous de Medeuil, La Mauny, Neisson and TroisRivières. Some close to visitors during the harvest period from February to June. Open year round Monday to Saturday is Fonds Saint-Jacques, an important 17th-century sugar estate in the north, which houses the Musée du Père Labat, named for the famous (or infamous) Dominican monk who modernized distilling between 1693 and 1705. Lastly, outside TroisIlets, whose environs take in La Pagerie, the birthplace of Empress Joséphine, La Poterie, the island’s clay pottery center, and the Golf de l’Impératrice, an 18-hole course de-signed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., is the Maison de la Canne, a museum with well-conceived exhibits that establish the links between land, sugar cane and people. SMELLING THE FLOWERS: Martinique is called the “Isle of Flowers,” and stops at some of its floral gardens can be very memorable experiences. In Morne Rouge, in the north are MacIntosh Plantation with its incredible variety of anthuriums and the Jardin de la Pelée with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea have a Creole garden. In Ajoupa Bouillon, Les Ombrages, a botanical path that makes a fine introduction to tropical flora, Tel. (596)596.53 31 90, Fax. (596) 596.53 32 91. In the suburbs north of Fort-de-France is one of Martinique’s most beautiful flower gardens, Jardin de Balata, Tel. (596)596.64 48 73, Fax. (596) 596.64 73 40. Jean-Philippe Thoze nestled his showcase of more than a thousand species of plants, trees and flowers on the magnificent heights of the capital and at the foot of dramatic Pitons du Carbet. He opens his Eden from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday. Nearby is the Sacré-Coeur de Balata, a replica of the famed basilica overlooking Montmartre in Paris. THE SOUTH: A stellar sightseeing attraction in the south is the historic offshore landmark, Diamond Rock, a sort of Caribbean Gibraltar rising 600 feet from the sea and used by the British in 1804 as a sloop of war. Excursions by boat, including a history of the Rock, a dive and snacks, leave the Diamond Rock hotel daily at 2:30 p.m. and return at 4:30. Cost: 26, 60€, adults; children under 5, half price. Well worth a visit is Le Diamant, its beachside market, and two interesting sites nearby, the often-photographed, colorful Maison du Bagnard (Convict’s House) and the Maison du Gaoulé, scene of the first Martinican insurrection, circa 1717, and its slave memorial at Anse Cafar Other noteworthy stops: Ste-Luce, a delightful fishing village; Le Marin, whose modern marina is the best of the best and whose ancient Jesuit-style church dates to 1766; Ste-Anne, as pretty as a postcard, dotted with coves and such nearby beaches as gorgeous Plage des Salines and Cap Chevalier. Taxi Cap, Tel. (596) 596.74 65 58. Bird watching in the mangrove wetlands in this part of Martinique is very rewarding, and sightseeing the island’s sea depths is quite thrilling by Aquascope, a semi-submersible craft, based at SteAnne and the Marina Pointe du Bout, Tel. (596) 68 36 09, email aquascope@wanadoo.fr The cost for this under-water tour is 16, 50€, adults; €10.50 that for kids. Lastly, a new attraction is La Ferme de Perrine, Tel. (596)596.57 17 16, a wonderland of farm animals near Lamentin, a perfect outing for families.
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SPORT ACTIVITIES: Boating:
Biking:
Martinique is a paradise for sailing, whether on boats rented at hotels by the hour, or on Yachts, bareboat or crewed, chartered by the day, week or month at the marinas of Le Marin, Le François, Pointe du Bout, Le Robert or Ste-Anne. (See Yacht Charters & Boat Rentals.) For half day or full day outings around the island:
In François: (excursions to Josephine’s “bathtub”) Albert Mongin, Tel. (596)596.54 70 23, Fax. (596)596.54 27 22 (day trips include rum drinks, a Creole meal, swimming, music) €35/adult, €8 Catamaran Le Cygne, Tel. (596)596.54 68 54, Fax. (596)596.54 30 43 Vedette Evasion, Tel. (596)596.54 96 87, Fax. (596)596.54 90 85 Vedette Pipo, Tel. (596)596.54 95 57, Fax. (596)596.54 96 46
In Vauclin: Vauclin Découverte, Tel. (596)596.74 36 26
In Trois-Ilets: Aquascope, Tel. (596)596.68 36 09 10:30 am to 11:30 La Creole Cata, Tel. (596)596.66 10 23, Fax. (596)596.66 03 24 (fun half day trips with drinks and snorkeling, stops at La Grotte aux Chauve-Souris “bat cave” at Anse Dufour) Dame des Tropiques,Tel.(596)596.66 10 85/596.25 31 04, Fax. (596)596.66 00 41 Escapade Tour, Tel. (596)596.48 22 64, Fax. (596)596.48 22 65 Rai Tea, Tel. (596)596.66 07 26, Fax. (596)596.66 09 98 Le Toumelin, Tel. (596)596.49 35 01
In Marin: Aquabulle, Tel. (596)596.74 69 69, Fax. (596)596.74 69 48 Bully, Tel. (596)596.76 80 46, Fax. (596)596.76 80 11 Societe de l’Ilet Long, Tel. (596)596.74 96 79, Fax. (596)596.74 87 48 Passion, tel/Fax. (596)596.66 03 39, Tel. (596)596.25 29 61/66 03 39 email: d.gpassion@wanadoo.fr
In Sainte-Anne: Taxicap, Tel. (596)596.76 93 10 (trips to Ilet du Cap offshore islet at Cap Chevalier)
The 18-speed VTT (vélo tout terrain or all-terrain bike) makes for great cycling. For guided tours, contact V.T. Tilt’ in Trois-Ilets, Tel/Fax: (596)596.66 01 01. Tours, with a guide cost between €35 and €45. In cooperation with local bike clubs, the Parc Naturel Régional, 9 Blvd Général de Gaulle, F-de-F 97206, has designed some unusual itineraries, Tel. (596)596.64 42 59. For bike (and motorbike) rentals, contact: Sud Loisirs, in Sainte Anne, Tel. (596)596.76 81 82 Locabikes, Tel (596)596.63 33 05, Fax. (596)596.63 45 78 in Fort-de-France Blue Monday, in Diamant, Tel. (596)596.76 18 80
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Fishing: Hotels will help set up deep-sea fishing if given a day or two’s notice. The most popular catches: dolphin, kingfish, bonito, barracuda and tuna. A good contact for charters is Yves Pélisson in Le Diamant whose two boats are Little Queeny and Maverick Too , Tel: (596)596.76 24 20; Fax. (596) 596.76 13 47. Diamond Rock Hotel, also in Le Diamant, organizes Sport fishing trips, as does Carib-recept, Tel. (596) 596.50 93 52. In Bellefontaine, Association Coup de Senne can arrange for visitors to fish in typical island fashion with fishermen, Tel/Fax. (596) 596.55 03 88. For surf-casting, best bets are Cap Macré, Cap Ferré and Cap Chevalier in Sainte-Anne.
Fitness and Spa: Centers for fitness offer everything from aerobics to mudpacks. Espace Loisirs (tel. (596) 596.66 03 16) near the Bakoua lists squash, tennis, gymnastics and weight training among its amenities. Within walking distance, the Kalenda has salons that provide massage and beauty treatments. Across the bay, the Squash also offers complete exercise facilities, Tel. (596)596.66 00 01). Costs per activity: about 7,622€ (about $8.54). The Valmenière outside Fort-de-France (Tel. (596)596.75 75 75) has a workout room and Jacuzzi.
In the South, in François, there is the lavish Relais & Chateaux, the Cap Est Lagoon Resort and Spa, Tel. (596) 596 54 80 80 / Fax. (596) 596 54 96 00 – Website: www.capest.com – Email: info@capest.com It is the first one of its kind on the island, using hydrotherapy and balneotherapy and focusing mostly on the clients’ well being and sense of aesthetics. A team of French trained therapists is attentive to their customers every need. The spa is managed in partnership with the famous cosmetic brand Guerlain whose headquarters are in Paris In the North, in Carbet, there’s a nicely equipped Thalassotherapy Center, Tel. (596)596.78 08 78.
Flying:
ATIS (Air Tourism Intruction Service) Tel: (596)596.51.66.88; Fax: (596)596.51.33.03 caters to reporters, cameramen, etc., but also takes tourists. A 3-seat Cessna 172 costs 262, 74€/hr, with pilot, and has removable panels to permit aerial photography, first flight available for €45. To fly solo, a French equivalent of your back-home license is needed. Present it to the CAB at Lamentin www.atisfwi.com Airport, and then contact local plane owners through the Aéro-Club de la Martinique for aircraft rentals.
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Sightseeing by plane or helicopter: Sightseeing trips by plane are available through ACF Aviation, Tel/Fax. (596) 596.51 07 17 or email. www.perso.wanadoo.fr/acf-aviation@wanadoo.fr Alizés Air Services has an ultralight seaplance sightseeing operation from Grande Anse des Salines beach and Anse Caritan beach in Sainte-Anne, Tel. (596)596.25 26 98 or (596)596.62 24 25, Fax. (596)596.62 56 39 and also arranges for hydroplane. For helicopter tours, you can contact Heliblue. Tel: 011 596 (596) 66 10 80 Internet: www.heliblue.com Arrangements for sightseeing tours for 3 to 5 persons can be made with Caraïbes Delta (596) 596.50 34 01, Fax. (596) 596.51 33 03. Arrangements also through Carib Recept in Lamentin, Tel. (596) 596.66 02 56. For helicopter tours, contact Liard at Aviation Générale, Lamentin Airport, Tel.(596) 596.51 57 03 or 596.51 13 00, Fax.(596) 596.51 56 58. Golf:
A magnificent 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, the Golf de l’Impératrice Joséphine, is at Trois Ilets, one mile from the Pointe du Bout resort, 20 miles from Fort-de-France. It has English-speaking pros, a fully equipped pro shop, bar/restaurant, and 3 lighted tennis courts. A David Leadbetter Golf Academy has been installed to provide personalized training. Special greens fees accorded hotel guests and cruise passengers, Tel. (596) 596.68 32 81, Fax.(596) 596.63 38 97.
Hiking: Of all sports on Martinique, one of the best organized is hiking, and with so many natural Treasures - a tropical rain forest, a world-famous volcano, alpine peaks (or pitons) and rocky Hills (or mornes), and wide stretches of virgin beach, especially in the southeast — hiking is by far the best means of discovering them. The Parc Naturel Régional, Tel. (596)596.64 42 59 or 596.73 19 30 and the Office National Des Forêts, Tel. (596)596.71 34 50, along with a hiking club, Le Club des Randonneurs, have developed a network of more than 30 trails, all well marked and maintained, designed for hikers to do on their own. They are described in two excellent guidebooks published in French: 31 Sentiers Balisés, available at local bookstores), and Belles Balades de La Martinique, Inexpensive hikes are conducted for the local citizenry year round by the Association Martiniquaise des Accompagnateurs en Montagne but visitors are welcome to participate. Commentary is in French. Please contact the Parc Naturel Régional for a list of guides. Among serious hiking tours is a two-hour climb, with guide, up Mont Pelée Volcano through thick foliage and overgrown trails. Less difficult, but still requiring skill, is the trek through a dense coastal rain forest between Grand’Rivière and Le Prêcheur. Fairly easy are hikes at Les Ombrages, a nature trail at Ajoupa-Bouillon, or along the Gorges de la Falaise, a ravine leading to a waterfall where guided canyoning is the local sport. Presqu’île de la Caravelle, a peninsula jutting into the Atlantic near the town of Trinité, has safe beaches and well-marked paths to historic Château Dubuc’s ruins.
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For organized hiking tours, contact: Aventures Tropicales, Tel.(596)596.75 24 24, Fax. (596)596.75 29 20, email. aventurestropicales@wanadoo.fr, www.aventures-tropicales.com Bureau de la Randonnée, based in Saint-Pierre, Tel. (596)596.78 30 77 Comité de la Randonnée Pédestre, Tel/Fax. (596)596.70 54 88 Club Tchimbé Raid, Tel. (596)596.71 68 46, Fax. (596)596.71 80 82, Email. ba-13@wanadoo.fr Couleurs Locales, in Morne Vert, Tel. (596)596.55 59 12 Syndicat d’Initiative de Grand’Rivière, Tel. (596)596.55 73 74, Fax. (596)596.55 73 75 Carib Recept, Tel. (596)596.50 93 52 Madinina Tours, Tel. (596)596.70 65 25 Horseback Riding: Martinique offers many equestrian itineraries, some along scenic beach routes, others through tropical hillsides. For excursions and/or riding lessons: La Gourmette in Didier, Tel. (596)596.64 20 16, Fax. (596)596.64 94 49 Ranch Jack in Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596)596.68 37 69 or (596)596.68 63 97 Black Horse Ranch near La Pagerie in Trois Ilets, Tel. (596)596.68 37 80, Fax. (596)596.68 40 87 L’Hippocampe at Lamentin, Tel. (596)596.57 06 71 Le Ranch des Trois Caps in Marin, Tel. (596)596.74 70 65 or (596)596.25 90 58 A one-hour lesson on a horse is 25€, on a pony 15,24€ ($18).Pony ride:4,57€ ($5.50) 40€ for half a day. Kayaking: For kayaking trips around the islets of Ste-Anne, Caraïbe Coast Kayak, Tel. (596)596.76 76 02 www.martiniquekayak.com organizes full day or half day trips. Les Kayaks du Robert, Tel. (596)596.65 70 68 offer trips around the many islets of Robert. To discover the mangrove, Fun Kayak in Ducos, Tel.(596) 596.56 00 60. In Marin, the Club Nautique organizes visits of the bay, Tel.(596)596.74 92 48. Safari 4X4 and Catamaran: Excursions in 4x4 wheel drive vehicles take you through sugar cane fields, banana and pineapple plantations and the rain forest. For half day or full day trips meal included, contact: Jeep Aventure, Tel.(596) 596. 62 32 05 Aventures Tropicales, Tel. (596)596.64 58 49, Fax.(596)596.64 18 76, www.aventures-tropicales.com Evasion Tropicale, Tel.(596)596.75 24 24, Fax.(596)596.75 29 20 Sodetours, Tel.(596)596.50 20 04, Fax.(596)596.50 15 13, sodetours@voyages-mq Scuba Diving: Fascinating dive sites, ideal water temperatures, abundant marine life and incredible shipwrecks make scuba an ideal island sport. There are facilities in most hotels and in the main resort areas of Trois-Ilets, Sainte-Luce and Sainte-Anne in the south. In Diamant, most operators offer diving trips around the Diamond Rock. In the north, memorable dive spots include Ilet la Perle and the shipwrecks off St-Pierre. Solo dives average 30,48-33,53€ ($36-40), but most places offer full scuba packages.
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Dive operators include:
Espace Plongée, Kalenda Trois-Ilets, Tel/Fax. (596)596.66 01 79, Email: e.p.m@wanadoo.fr Acqua Sud, Mercure Diamant Coralia, Diamant, Tel.(596)596.76 51 01, Fax. (596)596.75 51 02 Kalinago, Pointe du Marin, Ste-Anne, Tel. (596)596. 76 92 98, Fax.(596) 76 80 11 Okeanos Club, Village Pierre & Vacances, Ste-Luce, Tel. (596)596.62 52 36, Fax. (596)596. 62 24 64 Plongée Caritan, Anse Caritan Hotel, Ste-Anne, Tel. (596)596.76 81 31 - Email : plongee.caritan@wanadoo.fr Submaroubase, Marouba hotel, Carbet, Tel. (596)596.78 40 04, Fax. (596)596.55 58 71 UCPA, St-Pierre, Tel. (596)596.78 21 03, Fax. (596)596.78 19 42 Tropicasub, St-Pierre, Tel. (596)596.78 38 03, Fax.(596)596.52 46 82 – tropicasub.com, Plongée Passion, Anses d’Arlet, Tel/Fax. (596)596. 68 72 52 Corail Club Caraibes, Club des Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596)596.68 36 36, Fax.(596)596.68 30 13 Lychee Plongée, Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596)596.66 05 26, Fax. (596) 66 14 98, Email: lycheeplongee@wanadoo.fr Subdiamond Rock, Diamond Rock Hotel, Tel/Fax. (596)596 76 25 80 or (596)596.76 10 65 Planete Bleue, Pointe du Bout Marina, Trois-Ilets, Tel. (596) 596 66 08 79, Email : planbleu@ais.mq - Internet : www.planete-bleu.mq
Swimming: The beaches south of Fort-de-France are white, while those to the north are silver-blue. Outstanding in the south is Plage des Salines, a short drive from Ste-Anne, with tall coconut palms and miles and miles of white sand. During summer holidays and weekends, it is busy with families and children; during the week, it is quiet and uncrowded. Other lovely beaches in the south include Anses d’Arlet, Le Diamant, with the landmark Diamond Rock offshore, Anse Figuier, Ste-Luce and Ste-Anne, all popular with families, and Anse Esprit and Anse Michel in Cap Chevalier, and Anse Baleine in Cap Macré largely undiscovered by tourists. Tops in the north are Anse Madame in Schoelcher, Anse Céron, St-Pierre and Carbet. There are no nudist beaches on Martinique, although the European custom of top-less bathing is not uncommon. Public beaches do not as a rule have changing cabins or showers. Some hotels charge non-guests for lockers and changing cabanas. Snorkeling: Fish, coral and ferns thrive in the waters near Pointe du Bout and Anse Mitan, and the small bays around Anses d’Arlet and Ste-Anne offer snorkeling of a truly superior variety. Some hotels have glass-bottom boats for snorkeling trips; most have fins and masks to rent.
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Windsurfing: All beachfront hotels have windsurfing gear for use by guests and many offer lessons. Rental is from 9, 14€ to 15,24€ per hour; a 1/2-hour private lesson averages 9,14€ to 12,19€. Away from the hotels, there are endless windsurfing havens. Among the best is Anse Michel in SainteAnne, where there are rental facilities such as Alizés Fun Dillon (Tel. (596)596.74 71 58)
Squash: The Squash Hotel, near Fort-de-France, has three courts. The cost: 7,62€ ($9) a visit. Espace Loisirs at Pointe du Bout has two.
Tennis: Among hotels with tennis courts, most lighted for night play, are: Albarena (1 court) Diamond Rock (1 court) Les Amandiers (2 courts) Habitation Lagrange (1 court) La Baie du Galion (1 court) Leyritz Plantation (1 court) Bakoua Sofitel (2 courts) Marine (2 courts) Carayou (2 courts) Kalenda Resort (2 courts) Caribia (1 court) Primerêve (2 courts) Club Med (2 courts) Ultramarine (1 court) In addition, there are three lighted courts at Golf de l’Impératrice. Lastly, private clubs welcome guests as temporary members when courts are available. Contact the Tourist Office on this, or La Ligue Régionale de Tennis, Petit Manoir, Lamentin (Tel: (596) 596.51 08 00).
TELEPHONE / MAIL The telephone country code for Martinique is 596. To call from the U.S., dial 011-596 plus 596 plus the local Martinique number for station-to-station, or 011-596 plus 596 plus the local number for person-to-person. To call the US From Martinique, dial 00 + 1 + area code + number: one can use an AT&T or MCI calling card or a “Télécarte,” which makes calls easier and less expensive, i.e., a one-minute call to the U.S. costs 1,75€ (about $2). “Télécartes,” sold at Post Offices and outlets marked “Télécarte en Vente Ici,” are used in special booths marked “Télécom.” (There are 90 such booths in Fort-de-France alone.) Operator assisted calls cost more. The AT&T access number is 0-800-990011; the MCI access number is 0-800990019. Post offices, cafés-tabacs and hotel newsstands all sell postage stamps. TIME ZONE: There is one hour difference between Martinique and the East Coast of the U.S. when Standard Time is in effect in the U.S. Thus, when it is 8 p.m. in Martinique, it is only 7 p.m. in New York. Time is told the French way, i.e., 1 p.m. is 13 hours.
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TOURIST INFORMATION & LOCAL TOURIST PUBLICATIONS: Comité Martiniquais de Tourisme, located in Schoelcher at Immeuble Beaupré-Pointe de Jaham, Tel. (596) 596.61 61 60. Opening hours: 8h30 a.m. to 12h30 p.m and 13h30 pm from 16h30 Monday through Friday. (The Tourist Office Information Desk at the airport stays open daily until the last flight comes in.) Complimentary maps, magazines and information booklets are available from the Englishspeaking staff, which is well versed in suggestions about what to see and do. Among free publications in French and English are the digest-size Choubouloute, a listing in brief about island happenings and Martiniquescope. Self-drive tours designed by the Tourist Office are described, along with other items of touristic interest. Taxi or motorcoach can do similar sightseeing tours. Details on organized island excursions by tour operators can also be obtained from the Tourist Office and from hotel desks. Local visitors bureaus include: Ajoupa Bouillon, tel. (596)596.53 32 87, fax. (596)596.53 32 04 Basse-Pointe tel/fax. (596)596.78 50 44 Bellefontaine tel/fax. (596)596.57 00 96 Carbet, tel/fax. (596)596.78 05 19 Case-Pilote, tel. (596) 78 74 04, fax. (596)596.78 78 87 Diamant, tel/fax. (596)596.76 14 36 Ducos, tel. (596)596.77 12 11, fax. (596)596.77 17 44 Fonds-Saint Denis, tel. (596)596.55 80 34, fax. (596)596.55 87 04 Fort-de-France, tel. (596)596.60 27 73, fax. (596)596.60 27 95 www.ot-fortdefrance.fr François, tel/fax. (596)596.54 67 50 Grand’Rivière, tel. (596)596.55 73 74, fax. (596)596.55 73 75 Gros-Morne, tel. (596)596.67 60 73, fax. (596)596.67 94 87 Lamentin, Tel. (596) 596 66 68 88 www.mairie-lelamentin.fr Lorrain, tel. (596)596.53 47 19, fax. (596) 596. 53 47 29 Macouba, tel. (596)596.78 50 12, fax. (596)596.78 59 42 Marigot, tel. (596)596.53 62 07, fax. (596)596.53 65 10 Marin, tel. (596)596.74 72 71, fax. (596)596.74 72 96 Morne-Rouge, Tel/Fax. (596)596.52 45 98 Morne-Vert, tel.(596)596.55 57 57 , fax. (596)596.55 57 27 Prêcheur, tel. (596)596. 52 91 43, fax. (596)596.52 92 02 Robert, tel. (596)596.65 10 05, fax. (596)596.65 75 59 Sainte-Anne, tel. (596)596 76 73 45, fax. (596)596.76 70 37 Sainte-Luce, tel. (596)596.62 57 85, fax. (596)596.62 30 15 Sainte-Marie, tel. (596)596.69 13 83, fax. (596)596.69 40 62 www.ville-saintemarie.fr Saint-Esprit, tel. (596)596.56 59 88 Saint-Joseph, tel. (596)596.57 88 95, fax. (596)596.57 91 18 Saint-Pierre, tel. (596)596.78 15 41, fax. (596)596.78 64 89 www.saint-pierre-2002.org Schoelcher, tel.(596)596.61 83 92, fax. (596)596.61 83 93 Trinité, tel. (596)596.58 69 98, fax. (596)596.58 70 07 Trois-Ilets, tel. (596)596.68 47 63, fax. (596)596.68 32 33 Vauclin, tel. (596)596.74 40 38, fax. (596)596.74 54 94
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WATER AND LOCAL BEVERAGES The island of Martinique produces two different kinds of mineral waters. Martinique spring and mineral waters are the safest waters to drink, and are subject to French and European regulations. Chanflor from the Mont Béni spring in Morne Rouge in the North of the island comes from the rainforest. The bottling plant (Somes) in Morne Rouge, in the middle of the rainforest, can be visited upon appointment at Tel. (596)596.52 52 52. Didier, is the “Perrier” of Martinique. The only naturally carbonated mineral water of the Lesser Antilles. The bottling plant can be visited, upon appointment Tel.(596)596.64 07 88. Local fruit juices are manufactured in Martinique by Mont Pelée . The local beer is Lorraine. WHERE TO STAY:
Hotels: Hotels range in size from large (300 rooms) to very small (under 10); in atmosphere from seaside resorts offering every tourist amenity to family-run establishments called “Relais Créoles,” and in price from expensive to quite modest. All of the larger hotels have sports facilities, a choice of restaurants, and evening entertainment. All beachfront hotels have full water-sports programs. Some hotels have kitchenette studios and most are equipped with facilities for the handicapped. There are approximately 6,000 hotel rooms in some 160 hotels. US hotel representatives include: Accor: (800) 221 4542 Fax. (914) Caribbean Inns: (800) 633 7411 Karibea Hotels USA: Contact: Chris Aubanel (212) 367-8119 Club Med: (800) club med Loire Tours: Tel. (800) 755 9313 or (212) 254 2217, Fax. (212) 254 0654
Villa Rentals: the Villa Rental Service of the Martinique Tourist Office, Tel: (596)596 61 61 77, can arrange vacation home rentals by week or month. Some are villas, some are studios or apartments. Most are in the island’s south, near good beaches. Very highly recommended for villa rentals is Jean Marc Poullet’s Caraïbes Vacances, Tel: (596)596.61.21.42, Fax: (596)596.61.28.69, www.sasi.fr/carestour, which represents some of the island’s loveliest homes. You may also visit the following site: http://martiniquevillas.net
Gîtes Ruraux: In addition, Martinique has more than 200 Gîtes de France (Tel: (596)596.73.74 74 / Fax: (596) 596 63 55 92 ), which are apartments, studios and rooms in private homes www.gites-de-france.fr, email: gites-de-france-martinique@wanadoo.fr
Private Islands: Les Ilets de l’Impératrice are two tiny islands off Le François: Ilet Oscar and Ilet Thierry, each with a private 19th-century five- or six-bedroom rental villa. For Ilet Oscar, contact Jean-Louis de Lucy, Tel: (596) 696 45 33 30, Fax. (596)596.53.50.58. For Ilet Thierry, contact Francis Gruer, Tel. (596)596.65.88.54.
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Camping: Camping can be done almost everywhere from June to September, in the forests and on many beaches, although indiscriminate camping is not permitted. For details, contact the Office National des Forêts, 3.5 km, route de Moutte, Fort-de-France, Tel: (596) 596.60 70 70, Fax: (596) 596 63 56 67. Year-round campsites with showers and toilets exist at Pointe Faula in Vauclin, Tel.(596) 596.74.40.40, at Le Nid Tropical in Anse à l’Ane, Tel.(596) 596.68.31.30, Fax.(596) 596.68.47.43.
YACHT CHARTERS: Martinique’s capital, Fort-de-France, one of the safest, most beautiful bays in the Caribbean, has long been a favored port of call with yachtsmen. Over the years, as Martinique’s popularity in the yachting world has grown, marinas have opened in other parts of the island – at Pointe du Bout across from the capital, in Le Robert and Le François on the Atlantic, in Sainte-Anne down south, and, most notably, in Le Marin, also in the south, whose “Port de Plaisance” is now the island’s largest and best-equipped marina. Every year in June, the “Club Nautique du Marin” organizes its annual yachting festival, the June Regattas, a week of exciting day races and entertaining evening events, Tel: (596)596.74.92.48 or Fax: (596)596.74 62 02. To contact the Capitainerie of Le Marin, Tel: (596) 596.74 83 83, or Fax: (596)596.74 92 02. For yacht charters and boat rentals which are plentiful, contact: Agi Cat Club, Trois-Ilets, Tel: 011(596)596.66.03.01; Fax: 011(596)596.66.03.24 Aqua Location, Le Robert (Tel: 011(596)596.65.46.40; Fax: 011(596)596.75.04.37). Bambou Yachting, Le Marin (Tel: 011 (596)596.74.78.05; Fax: 011 (596)596.74.82.77). Caraïbe Boat Services, Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.70.30), Fort-de-France (Tel: (596)596.71.73.91) Caraïbe Yachting/Grand Large Antilles, Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.95.76; Fax: (596)596.74.95.60). Catana Antilles, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.88.87; Fax: (596)596.74.70.09). CBS-Caraïbes Boat Services, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.70.30; Fax: (596)596.74.70.31). Chimère Yachting, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.78.56; Fax: (596)596.74.78.57). Corail Martinique, Le Marin (Tel: (596)(596.74.10.76; Fax: (596)596.74.67.91). Dufour Yachting, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.70.10; Fax: (596)596.74.70.10). France Caraïbe Charter, Ponton du Bakoua (Tel: (596)596.66.16.87; Fax: (596)596.66.15.46). Jennifer Evasion, Le Robert (Tel596)596. 65.38.74; Fax: (596)596.74.78.19) Kermoal Charter Yachting, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.92.67; Fax: (596)596.74.73.83). Kiriacoulis, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.86.51; Fax: (596)596.74.73.41). Locaboat, Pointe du Bout (Tel: (596)596.66.07.57; Fax: (596)596.66.07.49). Localize, Anses d’Arlet (Tel: (596)596.68.64.78; Fax: (596)596.68.68.88) Moorings, Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.75.39; Fax: (596)596.74.76.44; e-mail: costserv@moorings.mq). Petit Breton Overseas, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.74.37; Fax: (596)596.74.74.43). Email: pba@outremer.com Punch Croisière, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.89.18; Fax: (596)596.74.88.85). Racing Sailing Services, (Tel.(596)596.51.56.61 or (596)596.25.27.41; Fax. (596)596.42.38.56) Seabemol Croisieres, Le François (Tel/Fax: (596)596.54.25.26) Seawind, Sainte-Luce (Tel/Fax: (596)596.62.29.92). e-mail seawind@wanadoo.fr Star Voyage, Pointe du Bout (Tel: (596)596.66.00.72; Fax: (596)596.66.02.11), also at Le François (Tel: (596)596.54.68.01; Fax: (596)596.54.68.03) Stardust, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.98.17; Fax: (596)596.74.88.12). SunSail, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.77.61; Fax: (596)596.74.77.80). 3S Organisation, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.88.08; Fax: (596)596.74.88.85). Tropical Yacht Service, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.82.22; Fax: (569)596.77.78.19).
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VPM Antilles, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.70.10; Fax: (596)596.74.70.20) Windward Island Cruising Cie, Le Marin (Tel: (596)596.74.89.18; Fax: (596)596.74.88.85) www.caribbean-adventure.com A comprehensive bilingual yachting manual, the 140-page “Guide Trois Rivières: A Cruising Guide to Martinique” sells at local bookstores and ship chandlers for $35 (about 31, 25€), as does the 14th edition of the Annuaire Nautique de la Martinique, which costs $5 (about 4, 46€).
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USEFUL ADDRESSES ON THE ISLAND: --Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme (Martinique Tourist Office) Immeuble Beaupré, Pointe de Jaham 97233 Schoelcher Martinique, F.W.I. Tel: (596)596.61.61.77 Fax: (596)596.61 22 72 Email: infos.cmt@martiniquetourism.com www.touristmartinique.com --Préfecture (Prefect’s Office) Rue Victor-Sévère 97200 Fort-de-France Martinique, F.W.I. Tel: (596)596.63.18.61
--Gendarmerie (Police) Rue Victor-Sévère 97200 Fort-de-France Martinique, F.W.I. Tel: (596)596.63.51.51
--Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie 50 Rue Ernest Deproge 97205 Fort-de-France, Martinique, F.W.I. Tel: (596)596.55.28.20; Fax: (596)596.60.66.68 INFORMATION ON MARTINIQUE FOR THE PUBLIC IN THE U.S.A.: --Telephone: Nationwide (including New York): (514) 288-1904
--Internet: http://www.martinique.org
--Visit or Write: Martinique Promotion Bureau 444 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 Fax: (212) 838-7855
--E-Mail: info@martinique.org
French Government Tourist Office 444 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 9454 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 715, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, Tel: (310) 271-6665 676 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3360, Chicago, IL 60611, Tel: (312) 751-7800 INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC IN CANADA: --Martinique Tourist Office 1981 McGill College, Suite 490 Montreal, Que., H3A 2W9 Tel: (514) 844-8566 or (800) 361-9099 (Canada only). Fax: (514) 844-8901 PRESS, MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS INQUIRIES: Martinique Promotion Bureau, 444 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 Tel: (212) 838 6887, Fax: (212) 838-7855, Email: muriel.wiltord@franceguide.com or martinique.press@franceguide.com
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Calendar of events 2006
January -Patron saints celebrations: Marin (city hall: Tel 011 596 596 74 90 02), Diamant: (city hall: Tel 011 596 596 76 40 11) -Dances of the world Dance shows Atrium: 011 596 596 60 78 78 Fax: 011 596 596 60 8820 Email: atrium-info@cgste.mq Web :www.atrium.mq -Carnival Contest
February -Wedding expo February 12-13 -Madiana, Centre Commercial de Bellevue – Blvd de la Marne 97200 Fort-de-France (Intersalon-tel: 0596 61 21 21) -18th Nautical Week in Schoelcher (Club Nautique de Schoelcher-tel: 596 61 21 214) –February 4-9 -Carnival, February 25-March 1 -Patron saints celebrations: Trois-Ilets (city hall: Tel 0596 68 31 11) -Jazz concerts Atrium – Tel. 0596 60 78 78 – www.atrium.mq (February 19, 25 & 26)
March -Leisure Travel show March 12-13 - Madiana, Shoelcher Palais des Congrès (Open Soft System - Tel: 0596 61 16 32 or 0596 22 79 46) -Yoles boats races (société martiniquaise des yoles rondes –tel : 0596 61 48 50) -Gommier race (club des gommiers- tel: 0596 76 73 45) -Saint-Anne big markets (o.t de st-anne -Tel: 0596 76 73 45) -Sports events: Ti raid Tartane Tel: 0596 76 73 45 -Patron saints celebrations: Ste Luce, Trois Ilets -Foire expo de Dillon, March 8-March 12 traditional exhibit & fair, in Fort-de-France – Tel. 0596 77 11 55 (General Council Tel: 0596 77 11 55) -Orchid Expo,
25 orchids exhibit- Fort-de-France (Ionopsis Club-Tel: 0596 64 71 39) th -11 edition Regards sur le Prêcheur – Tel. (0596 52 91 43) -Foire aux crabes, crab festival,in Vauclin (visitor’s bureau-tel :0596 74 15 32)
April -International Meeting of Athletics (Dillon Stadium-Tel: 0596 55 27 43) -15th Agricultural fair March 12-13 - Rivière- Pilote ancienne école maternelle, Rue du Marronage, 6:00am-5:00pm (Cell: 0696 80 69 10) -Rando night, April 15 - night ramble in Basse-Pointe – (Association Cé Cédille, Tel. 0596 52 80 82 – www.cecedille.net -Pince d’or, April 17. Easter crab festival, in Grand-Rivière, (visitor’s bureau- Tel: 0596 55 73 74) -La Patte d’Or, April 17 - Easter Crab Festival in Sainte-Marie (tel. 0596 51 88 38) -Martinican and Caribbean agricultural FairRivière-Pilote (City Hall-Tel 0596 62 70 06) -Défi des mornes (association tchimbé raid Tel:0596 54 91 39) -Kite fair, Vauclin (visitor’s bureau- Tel: 0596 74 15 32) (assoc.cé cedille- Tel:0596 52 64 78) -Les Voies de la Tradition, a ten days fair with concerts, exhibits, dance, food tasting in Fort-de-France (visitor’s bureau-tel:0596 60 27 73) -International Meeting of Athletics, April 30 (Dillon Stadium-Tel: 0596 55 27 43)- www.cg972.fr -Yoles boat races (société martiniquaise de yoles rondes – tel:0596 61 48 50) -Gommier race (club des Gommiers-tel: 0596 62 42 20) -Windsurfing tour de la Martinique (Wind force- Tel:0596 65 59 70) - Viva l’Opera « la Traviata », April 27-29 – Atrium, Tel. 0596 60 78 78 - www.atrium.mq - Inter-caribbean Yachting trade show (Caribbean Sands – cell. 0696 31 27 50 – email: info@ot-trinitemartinique.fr) th - 27 edition Ariane’s Cup, a catamaran’s race (Office du Tourisme du Marin, Tel. 0596 74 63 21 – email : otsim@wanadoo.fr) -16th edition Convergence, April 8-9 Festival in Ajoupa-Bouillon (visitors bureau-tel : 0596 53 32 87) Accent on the North-Atlantic coast : seminars, hiking, gastronomy…
May -Mai de Saint-Pierre Major commemoration of Mont Pelée volcano eruption (mairie de Saint-Pierre- Tel : 0596 78 13 98) -Mai de Dillon -Fort-de-France, month-long program of theater, dance, music, art exhibits and other cultural events commemorating this historic city’s past (Jean-Marie Serreau Cultural Center 0596 73 58 62) -Beauty Fair , May 7-8 (Intersalon-Tel: 0596 61 21 21 – email: intersaloncaraibe@yahoo.fr) -Gastronomic week in Sainte-Marie May 22-28 (Osatour- Tel: 0596 69 13 83)
26 -Yoles boat races (société des yoles rondes- Tel : 0596 61 48 50) - World singing : Commemoration of the abolition of slavery, May 6& 7; 12, 12& 14 (Atrium, Tel. 059660 78 78 – www.atrium.mq) -Gommiers race (club des gommiers- Tel : 0596 62 42 20) th - Arrival of the 27 edition Ariane’s Cup, a catamaran’s race (Office du Tourisme du Marin, Tel. 0596 74 63 21 – email : otsim@wanadoo.fr) nd
- 3 edition Marche du Neg Mawon du 22 Mai, May 22, walk (Ligue Régionale d’Athlétisme, Tel. 0596 72 71 00 - email : LigueAthletismeMque@wanadoo.fr) -Plants fair (rivière salée stadium- Tel : 0596 68 00 45) -9th edition Tchimbé raid Matnik, a 60 km race(comité martiniquais de la fédération française de la Montagne pelée et de l’escaladeTel :0596 54 40 05 – www.ffme972.com –Email : tchimberaid@ffme972.com) -Slavery abolition Commemoration, nd May 22 , Schoelcher (Office du Tourisme de Schoelcher – tel. 0596 61 83 92
-Biennale Internationale de Danse
(Dance festival) – Centre Martiniquais d’Action culturelle, Tel. 0596 70 79 29 – www.cmac.mq – Email : cmac@cgit.com - Contemporary Art market -Patron saints celebrations: Saint-Joseph (city hall: Tel 0596 57 60 06), Saint-Esprit (City Hall: Tel. 0596 56 61 02)
-Sur la route du Sucre (Sugar Cane road)
- 4th edition Lamentin Jazz Project, Jazz festival in Lamentin (Office de la Culture du Lamentin, Tel. 0596 51 79 17) - 4th edition Nan’nan Neg Marron in Saint-Joseph, May 22nd, event around an historical character, le Neg Mawon, symbolism of struggle against oppression (Office du Tourisme de Saint-Joseph, Tel. 0596 57 88 95)
June -Fête de la musique music all over the island (d.r.a.c-Tel : 0596 60 05 36) -Sugar Cane Crop Over, June 14 Sainte-Marie (rum Museum-Tel : 0596 69 30 02) -Movie festival (cmac,@L’Atrium,tel :0596 70 79 29) -Patrons saints celebrations: Basse-pointe - City Hall: tel. 0596 78 50 44 Vauclin – City Hall: Tel. 0596 74 40 40 Marigot - City Hall: Tel. 0596 53 50 09 Rivière-salée - City Hall: Tel. 0596 68 01 90 Trinité - City Hall: Tel. 0596 58 20 12 Saint-Pierre - City Hall: Tel. 0596 78 10 32
27 th
- 10 Edition Plants fair (Office du Tourisme du Gros-Morne, tel. 0596 67 27 73) - Retour au Pays Natal, concert given by martinican musicians living abroad (Atrium, tel. 0596 60 78 78 – www.atrium.mq) Fête des Boulangers Patissiers, Pastry Chefs fair in Trinité (Office du Tourisme de Trinité, Tel. 0596 58 69 98 – email : info@ottrinitemartinique.fr) Pineapple Festival in Ajoupa Bouillon
July -Fête des marins-pêcheurs, Fisherman festival (comité régional des pêches in Prêcheur -Tel : 0596 35 48 98) -Arts and Popular traditions festival, in Trois Ilets (association biguine madras-Tel :0596 72 61 05) th -35 edition Festival of Fort-de-France, theater dance music, nightly in capital and its suburb (Sermac-Tel: 0596 71 66 25 – www.fortdefrance.fr) th -9 edition “Trempage show”, best “trempage” traditional breakfast competition, in Trinité (visitor’s bureau-Tel: 0596 58 69 98) -Drums festival, in Sainte-Marie (association Mangrove-tel: 0596 69 24 14) th -17 edition Cultural nights, July 23 – August 15, music, dance and theater in Rivière-Pilote (OMPACS: 0596 62 70 06 – email: ompacs@wanadoo.fr) th - 8 edition Caribbean Gospel Concert, nd 2 week in July (Sev Caraib, Cell. 0696 41 24 29 – email: bibian.lupon@wanadoo.fr - 4th edition “Metis’Art” festival, art festival (Centre Culturel de Fond Saint-Jacques, Tel. 0596 69 10 12 – www.sasi.fr/habitationfondsaintjacques - email: ccrfsj@sasi.fr -“Vakan’s plurielles”, in Grand-Rivière, cultural, culinary and sports events (visitor’s bureau: 0596 55 73 74) -Patron saints celebrations: Marigot (City hall: 0596 53 50 09) Gros-morne (City hall: 0596 67 50 11) Carbet (city hall: 0596 78 00 40) Anses d’Arlet (City hall: 0596 68 62 02) Schoelcher (City hall: 0596 72 72 72) Sainte-Anne (City hall: 0596 76 73 06) Macouba (City hall: 0596 78 53 68) -26th edition Tour de la Martinique, July 9-17, weeklong bycicle race (comité régional de cyclisme de la Martinique -Tel :0596 63 21 39 – www.martiniquetour.com) -Yoles boat races -Publivores night, July 16, Madiana convention Center in Schoelcher, a whole night to enjoy the best commercial spots in the world (open soft system-Tel: 0596 61 16 32) th 10 edition Bananniversaire, Banana festival (Musée de la Banane, Tel. 0596 69 45 52)
August -Festival du Marin, exhibits, concerts, conferences, shows in Marin (visitor’s bureau -Tel 0596 74 90 74 – email : omc.marin@wanadoo.fr) -Patron saints celebrations Bellefontaine (City hall: 0596 55 00 45)
28 Prêcheur (City hall: 0596 52 98 62) Lamentin (City hall: 0596 66 68 88) Sainte-Marie (City hall: 0596 69 30 06) Case-Pilote (City hall: 0596 78 81 44) Lorrain (City hall: 0596 53 43 18) Morne-Rouge (City hall: 0596 52 30 23) Robert (City hall: 0596 65 10 05) nd
-22 edition Tour des Yoles Rondes, yawl boat race, unique to Martinique, departs le Francois and sails around islands in seven stopovers, bring cameras, zooms lens and binoculars (société des yoles rondes - Tel:0596 61 48 50 – www.yoles-ronde.org – email : ecrire@yoles-rondes.org) Fish festival in Prêcheur – (visitor’s bureau - Tel. 0596 52 98 62)
September -International tourism day (sept 27) -Mémorial Eugène Mona, remember artist E.Mona, Marigot Cultural Services (Tel 0596 53 50 04) th -8 edition Tradition et patrimoine, the village of Sainte-Marie celebrates traditions and heritage,creols costumes, music,dance,arts and crafts (Visitor’s bureau-Tel 0596 69 13 83) -Défi des mornes, ( association Tchimbé raid-Tel : 0596 63 94 35) -Journées du Patrimoine, Heritage days (DRAC-tel 0596 60 05 36) -Patron saints celebrations: Ducos (city hall: Tel 0596 77 18 18) -Yoles boat races - Sports and leisure show, Sept. 17-18, Palais des Sports et des Loisirs (Open Soft System, tel. 0596 61 16 32 – Email: open-soft@wanadoo.fr
October -Fairs: habitat exhibit in Fort-de-France (General Council 0596 77 11 55) Childhood exhibit (intersalon-tel: 0596 61 21 21) Cooking exhibit (Open Soft System, tel. 0596 61 16 32) Science fair, tel. 0596 59 75 02 – www.carbet-des-sciences.org -Patrons saints celebrations: François (City hall 0596 54 30 02) Fonds-Saint-Denis (city hall: 0596 55 88 88) -International Fishing Tournament in Marin, competitions with neighboring islands by day, parties at night (Martinique game fishing associationTel: 0596 71 46 35 or 0596 26 56 80) -International Creole language day, October 28 th - 7 edition “Les chansons d’hier dans les bouches d’aujourd’hui », songs festival in Vauclin (visitor’s bureau, tel. 0596 74 15 32) - 15th edition Raid du Loup Garou, 15 km race, tel: 0596 65 65 82 -Défi des mornes -Yoles boat races -Gommier Race
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November -2nd edition Festival des Sens , 24 hours of creative arts (music, dance, singing, drawing…in Marin (Association Chouval Bwa Kiltirel, tel. 0596 74 69 27 – www.calebasse.com) -Car show (Open soft System-tel: 0596 61 09 24) -22nd edition Half Marathaon, 21.1 race around Fort-de-France (service des sports- tel 0596 60 60 13) -22nd edition Festival Internationale de la Clarinette in Lamentin (Centre Culturel du Bourg, Tel. 0596 51 15 33) - 16th edition Fishing Tournament in Marin (Martinique Bifffish Association, Tel. 0696 45 83 58 – www.martinique-billfish.org - Cooking fair Madiana, Schoelcher (Open Soft System, Tel. 0596 61 16 32) -Défi des mornes -Patron saints celebrations: Morne Vert (City hall-tel: 0596 55 51 47) Grand Rivière (City hall-tel: 0596 55 77 77) -Yoles boat races
December -Fashion, perfumes Expo , December 3-4 (Open soft system-tel: 0596 61 09 24) -South Fair in Rivière Salée (groupement saleén: 0596 68 00 45) -Fête du cochon : 4th edition Marché Bo Kaï inVauclin ( civam-Tel:0596 74 40 40) th -13 edition International jazz festival (cmac -Tel: 0596 70 79 29) th -14 edition Christmas songs festival in St Joseph (association Mazincoin-Tel: 0596 57 88 95) -Fête du rhum in St-marie (St James rum museum-tel: 0596 69 30 02) -Cultural weeks in Anses d’arlets (visitor’s bureau-tel: 0596 68 63 93) -Patron saints celebrations: Rivière Pilote (City hall 0596 62 60 03) Ajoupa-Bouillon (City hall 0596 53 32 22) Sainte-Luce (City Hall tel. 0596 62 50 01) -Yoles boat races : 8th edition Biguin’s Regatta, Beg. Of December (Balana, tel. 0596 74 28 99 – email: flocaraïbes@wanadoo.fr th - 5 edition Cantique des Mornes, nd Conference, hiking, Christmas carols…2 week in December (visitor’s bureau, tel. 0596 61 83 92 – Email: odt-schoelcher@wanadoo.fr - Défi des mornes - Nuit du zapping (Open soft system- Tel: 0596 61 06 24) - Capital en fête In Fort de France ( visitor’s bureau Tel : 0596 60 27 73) 9*th edition La Transat des passionnés, Boat race – contact@transcaraibes.com