ART AND NATURE IN MARTINIQUE TOUR
$354 Chartered For 5 People

The modern history of Martinique starts up the north. Along the costal road from Fort-de-France, the first town you'll encounter is Schoelcher. You might recognize that name from several historic sights named for Victor Schoelcher in the capital city. It looks like and actually is a suburb of Fort-de-France. The University of the French West Indies is located here.

As you travel north you'll find Case-Pilote, a small fishing village and actually one of this island's oldest, where the church dates to the 17th century. The next small fishing village called Bellefontaine, has a public beach and is recognizable for the odd boat-shaped house you will spot on top of the hill.

Le Carbet is supposed to be the site of Columbus' 1502 landing and a marker on the pier notes that event. The church in this village was built in 1645. This town has character, with thin streets and local restaurants stretching along the beach. The Carbet Botanical Garden is a stop for you, as its display featuring butterflies from around the world is unique.

Just north of this town is the Musee Gauguin, featuring the famous artist's letters and work and memorabilia of his five months in 1887 he spent with a friend in Anse Turin. This museum carries no originals, but the flavor and feeling of the building alone carries you back in time and is well-worth a stop.

Finally, you will head to Saint-Pierre, a legend which started as "Little Paris of the Antilles" and later destroyed by the eruption of the volcano in 1902. The Historical Musee Saint-Pierre houses artifacts and photos of the town both pre- and post-eruption. The larger Musee Franck A. Perret is dedicated to the study of the volcano and ruins.

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