My first ever love..the one and only breathtaking Martinique..

Published by author Tracy Cyril on April 23, 2021

Oooh la la!! the first time I was graced with this beautiful and breathtaking island was in my early adult years. As a native Caribbean daughter, my home being sweet paradise St. Lucia; we are fortunate to be situated fifteen (15) minutes via plane and three hours by boat from this amazing place called Martinique. My first visit was by boat and that ride itself is a highlight of the trip – the spectacular views, clear water and bumpy rides kept me alert and amazed at the same time.

Martinique is considered an offspring of Paris, it replicates the rich culture, mouthwatering food, friendly people, and the BEST wines, yogurt and cheese. As well as it offers a unique shopping experience. The wow factors which landed Martinique as my first love were: the narrow streets with shops and cafes nestled in a garden like setting and the fusion of French and West Indian culture.

History

Martinique is a unique Caribbean island which is part of the Lesser Antilles. The population is in a range of 376,000. The area is 436 square miles and Catholic is the main religion. Fort De France is the Capital. The Euro and US dollar is widely accepted for all goods and services. The landscape of the island is a mix of narrow streets as well as hilly locations. The food is addictive and the people are warm and welcoming. French is the predominant language spoken there however Creole (broken French) is understood. It is quite easy to navigate the island as the public transportation and taxis are regularly available and convenient.

Top 5 restaurants to visit

• La Reserve (located in Fort De France)
• Ti Cozy (Sainte Anne)
• La Mandoline (Les Trois- Islet)
• Restaurante Le Pointe de Vue (Sainte Marie)
• Case Coco (Sainte Luce)

Best sites to visit

• Le Savane des Esclaves (Les Trois Islet) – Museum
• Jardin de Balata (Forte De France) – Botanical Garden
• Zoo Martinique Housing (Le Carbet)
• Gorges de la Falaise (La joupa- Bovillon) – Rainforest
• Le Baignoire de Josephine (Le Francois) – Swimming area

Recommended Hotels

• La Suite Villa
• French Coco Luxury Boutique Hotel
• Le Domaine des Fonds Blancs
• Domaine De Robinson
• Hotel Bambou Martinique

There it is beautiful souls! My first love story – I will always hold Martinique close to my heart because there are so many similarities to my country St. Lucia. I feel at home while there without having any friends in the country plus creole (broken French) is widely spoken in Martinique as well as in St. Lucia, so no translation needed. Also it is so close in proximity to my home; I can be in Martinique at 9am and be back in St. Lucia at 5pm. Visiting Martinique invites a refreshing energy – every trip held a new experience for me. Hopefully with the information above you can make Martinique one of your countries to visit some time soon. J’aime La Martinique (I love you Martinique).

References

www.brtitannica.com

www.worldtravelguide.net

https://us.martinique.org