Marigot

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.

Originally a fishing village, Marigot became the capital of St Maarten in the sugar period and became a bustling town. Marigot's buildings are largely colonial, sprinkled with several smart cafes, bistros, pastry shops and luxury boutiques reminiscent of real French market towns. There are several colonial landmarks, including Fort St Louis.

The main shopping centre in Marigot is at the southern end of the town near the harbour, and is a paradise for shopaholics with elegant stores carrying the latest designer fashions and jewellery, all tax-free. More adventurous shoppers will enjoy browsing the Wednesday and Saturday markets, located in a kiosk area near the port.




Attractions

Fort St Louis © Serge Melki

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



Grand Case © SXM Grand Case

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



Loterie Farm

The Loterie Farm nature reserve is nestled on the slope of Paradise Peak, and is set on the site of a 135-acre former sugar plantation, established in 1721. The reserve has many miles of groomed hiking trails through the beautiful forest, where visitors can...  see full details



Archaeological Artefacts © Mersey Viking

Marigot 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 and several...  see full details



Rouge Bay, Marigot © St Maarten Tourist Bureau

Marigot Beaches

There are a number of good beaches around Marigot that are popular with tourists. 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...  see full details



Market vendor © Upsilon Andromedae

Marigot Open-Air Market

Marigot's open-air public market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday at the base of Fort St Louis along the harbourfront, 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



St Maarten © seanosh

Paradise Peak

Paradise Peak, St Martin's highest point, rises from the centre of the island to a height of 1,390 feet (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...  see full details



Ilet Pinel © Visit Pinel

Pinel Island

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 Pinel Island. Anse Marcel features some large hotels, a marina and...  see full details