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...
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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 detailsLoterie 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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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