Martinique
Caribbean Retreats
French sophistication with the sound of trade winds
Martinique
French sophistication with the sound of trade winds
Martinique is the Caribbean the French have always kept for themselves. Cathedrals of rainforest that climb toward volcanic peaks, coastlines where the Atlantic and the Caribbean meet within the same twenty-minute drive, rum distilleries older than most countries, and a Créole cuisine that rivals anything in mainland France. The island is also blissfully quieter than its more famous neighbours; you can spend a week here without ever queueing for anything.
Our two residences sit on private estates near Le Robert, on the calmer Caribbean coast, with the whole island within easy reach. From here you can dive with turtles at Anse Dufour in the morning and be at a rum tasting at Habitation Clément by lunch.
Highlights
The famous white-sand bar a kilometre from shore where locals moor their boats for the afternoon. Reachable by yacht charter from Le François. This experience alone justifies the trip.
Martinique is the only place in the world producing AOC rhum agricole. Habitation Clément, Distillerie JM, and Trois Rivières are all worth the day. Our team arranges private tours and tastings.
Grande Anse des Salines in the south, Anse Dufour and Anse Noire on the Caribbean coast, the wilder Atlantic beaches at Cap Chevalier. Each has its own character and best time of day.
Accras, boudin créole, colombo, and court-bouillon are only the beginning. Our chef partners bring the market to the residence and cook whatever you would like.
The north is volcanic, mountainous, and dramatic. Mont Pelée rises to 1,397 metres and can be hiked in a morning; the ruins of Saint-Pierre, the town that Mont Pelée destroyed in 1902, are a moving half-day. The south is flatter, drier, and home to the best beaches and most tourist infrastructure. Both are worth time, and both are within an hour of the residences. Rent a car for a few days to explore, or ask our concierge to arrange a private driver.
Martinique's capital rewards a morning of exploration. The Cathédrale Saint-Louis with its intricate iron framework, the Bibliothèque Schœlcher (a jewel of 19th-century architecture), and the Grand Marché where colombo powder, madras cloth, and Créole remedies fill the stalls. On Saturday the covered waterfront market fills with food stalls serving fresh accras, boudin, and juices. Go hungry.
December to April is the ideal season: dry, warm, and free of the September–October hurricane risk. Rent a car if you plan to explore beyond the immediate coast; the public transport is limited. The best restaurants are often the smallest, in beach villages like Les Anses d'Arlet and Sainte-Anne. Our team keeps a private list of favourites we share on request.
The Residences
Tell us your dates and we will share availability at La Maison Blanche and Le Lodge de Gaalon.
