French Saint Martin

The island of Saint-Martin is located north of Saint-Barthélémy and south of Anguilla. Its southern part, known as Sint Maarten, belongs to the Netherlands Antilles, whereas its northern part (52 sq. km, 28,518 inhabitants) belongs to Guadeloupe. It constitutes, along with Saint-Barthélémy the arrondissement of Saint-Martin-Saint-Barthélémy, whose capital, Marigot, is located in Saint-Martin. Saint-Martin is located about 250km north from Continental-Guadeloupe and belonged to the so-called Northern Archipelago. Since February 2007, after a poll, the island became a French Territorial Collectivity. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus on November 11th, 1493, on Saint Martin's day. In 1648, after a historical foot-race, she was split in a Dutch and a French (3/5 of the territory) section. This partition is signaled by an almost imperceptible border. Since then, the peaceful cohabitation of the two communities has allowed this island of only thirty-seven square miles, to become the unique holiday and shopping paradise of the Caribbean.

In Marigot, the French capital, beside its shops and restaurants, don't miss to mingle with the crowd on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when tropical fruits, spices and fresh fish are offered on the market at the base of Fort St. Louis. The French side (St. Martin), is certainly more relaxed and sophisticated, The first-class resorts and white sand beaches are mostly secluded. Marigot is Mediterranean resort-like, with yachts in the harbor, and open-air markets and shops lining the waterfront. A bit to the north, Grand Case is known for the island's best restaurants.

Capital of French Saint Martin, and base of its vice-prefectorial offices, Marigot is by far the most popular spot in terms of shopping and everyday activities. Its elegant bars and stylish shops attract a great number of visitors, local and foreign alike. The city’s name originates from the marshes and swamps (referred to as “marigots”) once surrounding it. It became the island’s capital during the era of sugar production, and its fort Saint Louis was constructed under the reign of Louis XVI. Since these times, the city has been partitioned into several districts, such as Bellevue, Saint James or Saint Jean. Marigot today is a town with an extremely elegant atmosphere, with Latin allures similar to those of the mainland.

Marigot Market

The market is held on the waterfront every Wednesday and Saturday morning, displaying a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, fish and spices. Definitely not to miss if you are in search of local atmospheres and flavour.

Village for Ecotourism

Saint Martin has put in place a so-called “village for Ecotourism”, in order to preserve its patrimony and heighten the awareness of the local population and tourists on the conservation of nature and culture. The village is situated on the site of the Bellevue Estate, overlooking Marigot, and is entirely dedicated to the universe of nature. Visitors to the project have the possibility to involve in a multitude of activities such as fishing boat trips, kayak, walks, horseback riding or mountain bike, guided tours around the remnants of an old sugar factory, or a treasure hunt. Special workshops offer the possibility of taking pottery, wickerwork and painting lessons, with the animation of folk music groups and their instruments. Visitors can also get a taste of local culinary specialties such as lambi pudding, accras, Johnny-Cakes (small salty rolls, homage to the bread eaten by workers in the salt lakes), ribs, ti-punch, guavaberry punch, tamarind juice, guava and coconut cakes and other delights of local cuisine.