Marigot Travel Guide

Guide:

Regions & Cities:

Marigot

French at heart, but cosmopolitan Caribbean in style, St Martin’s capital city of Marigot is cluttered with traffic, shops and people in a small area that is only four streets wide. The town stretches along Marigot Bay, its main focus the harbour at the bottom of Rue de la Republique from where ferries depart to surrounding islands and fishing boats come and go. The main shopping centre at the southern end of the town is near the harbour and is a paradise for shopaholics, with elegant stores carrying the latest designer fashions and jewellery, all tax-free. Marigot’s buildings are largely colonial, sprinkled with several smart cafes, bistros, pastry shops and luxury boutiques reminiscent of real French market towns.

Attractions

Archaeological Museum

Next to the Marina Port la Royale on the southern end of Marigot is a worthwhile museum, dedicated to preserving St Martin's history and culture. It houses numerous exhibits, including a variety of pre-Colombian treasures excavated by the Hope Estate Archaeological Society. There is... see full details

Fort St Louis

St Martin’s largest historical monument overlooks Marigot. Fort St Louis was built according to plans sent from France by Louis XVI in 1767 to guard the settlement from invaders. The ruins sit atop a hill, which is worth the 15-minute steep climb for... see full details

Public Market

Marigot's open-air public market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday at the base of Fort St Louis along the wharves, and provides a colourful spectacle for visitors, though bargains are few. Wares include home-grown produce, tropical fruits and spices, fresh fish, souvenirs, woodcarvings and... see full details

Excursions

Beaches

The largest and most popular beach on the island of St Martin, Orient Beach, is bursting with facilities for watersports, shops, restaurants and beach bars. The southern end of the beach has been reserved as a nudist resort. Prune Beach (or Plum Bay)... see full details

Grand Case

Fronted by a sweeping curve of beach the little fishing village of Grand Case, at the northern tip of St Martin, is famed for its fine foods and distinctive style of architecture. The small wooden houses are decorated in gingerbread style and painted... see full details

Ilet Pinel

On the north coast of St Martin are the tiny hamlets of Anse Marcel and Cul-de-Sac, from which operate boats ferrying passengers on a two-minute hop to the uninhabited offshore islet of Ilet Pinel. Anse Marcel features some large hotels, a marina and... see full details

Paradise Peak

Paradise Peak, St Martin's highest point, rises from the centre of the island to a height of 1,390ft (424m), crowned with a communications tower. Visitors can climb through thick woods twisted with vines and full of colourful birds to reach the summit, where there... see full details

Forum

Got a question or comment about St Maarten and St Martin? Ask a Travel Expert!