The wildest part of Martinique, in the north of the island, is home to the famous Mount Pelée volcano, which in 1902 destroyed almost the entire town of Saint-Pierre, the island's capital at the time. Since then, Martinique has applied to have its volcano listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hiking trails criss-cross the volcano, allowing eco-tourism enthusiasts to follow the Route de la Trace through the heart of the tropical forest. In the interior of the island, the banana and sugar cane crops give off beautiful effects of raw green and steely reflections in the wind.
WINDWARD OR LEEWARD COAST
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the east coast, or windward coast, receives the trade winds directly and also the swell, which arrives there without any restraint. Located to the east of La Trinité, the Caravelle peninsula has been classified as a Grand Site. Part of the Martinique Regional Nature Park, the tip of the peninsula is classified as a nature reserve for its geology, flora and fauna, as well as its history. The incentive programmes offered by incoming agencies tend to focus on the south of the island, both in terms of accommodation and possible activities: this is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, at the level of the Sainte-Lucie canal, at the Grande Anse des Salines, and this is also where Martinique's seabed is at its most beautiful. Some of the best addresses include the Club Med in Sainte-Anne, close to the superb Salines beach and the Savane des Pétrifications, which played host to the candidates in the last Miss France election, and - less glamorous but very Mice - the Atlantic heat pump convention, while the Pierre & Vacances village in Sainte-Luce hosted a recent Pepsi convention. When they choose this part of the island as their base, groups take advantage of the proximity of Fort-de-France, which is undergoing a major transformation with the development of Pointe Simon and, above all, the renovation of the historic Savane district, now known as the Malecon, on the seafront.From the north to the south of the island, there is a whole range of programmes put together on request, with 'ecotourism', 'sea kayak raids', 'rainforest bivouacs', 'golf trophies', '4×4 and helicopter' or 'jet-ski tours' menus. In the 'prestige' version, gala evenings can be held in one of the beautiful old 'habitations' set on vast agricultural estates housing mansions. At Le François, for example, the Habitation Clément, a listed historic monument, was the venue for the meeting between Presidents George Bush and François Mitterrand during the Gulf War. Reception areas are planned in its park, magnificent under its hundred-year-old trees. With its many dwellings and distilleries, Martinique has a rich heritage that lends itself well to rallies throughout its territory," explains Thierry Blanc, Carib Recept's West Indies Operations Manager. What's more, for regattas or excursions, it's the only island in the Caribbean to have yawls. Yawls? Originally fishing boats, these slender, pot-bellied craft are still very popular during races.
ILETS FOR RENT
To relieve congestion on the coast road, there are water shuttles linking Fort-de-France to the seaside resort of Trois Ilets in around twenty minutes. If you are staying in a hotel or resort with your feet in the water, you can always book a boat to wait for your group at the establishment's private pontoon. The department also has a helicopter company that flies over the volcano and the Pitons, two marinas - Le Marin and Trois Ilets - and a number of quality service providers for excursions and sporting activities. The Segway, a hand-held two-wheeler, is also on the rise. Martinique is first and foremost a seaside country - and some would say a mountainous one too - so it's ideal for renting private beaches or islets, such as Oscar Islet, which can only be accessed by sea. Big-game fishing is available for king mackerel, barracuda and blue marlin almost all year round. To bring the teams together, you can organise kayak, sea canoe or catamaran races. On the way back, relax and enjoy the delicious Creole cuisine and sip a ti' punch while admiring the sunset.
PRACTICAL GUIDE MARTINIQUE
?? Identity card
A French overseas department, Martinique is an island of 2512 km2. It has a mixed population (Europeans and Africans) of 400,000. Capital: Fort-de-France. Formalities: valid identity card or passport. To make a phone call: number beginning with 05. Time difference: -7 h in winter, -6 h in summer. Language: French and Creole. Currency: euro. Best season: December-April. Always pleasant temperatures and dry heat. Rain possible from May to August. Group size: incentive operations can vary from 20 to 200 people.
. ?? Find out more
? Comité martiniquais du tourisme Immeuble Le Beaupré, Pointe de Jaham, BP 7126, 97276 Schoelcher cedex Tel: 05 96 61 77 - Fax: 05 96 61 72 59 E-mail: infos.cmt@martiniquetourisme.com Internet: www.martiniquetourisme.com ? France Europe Office 2, rue des Moulins, 75001 Paris Tel: 01 44 77 86 00 - Fax: 01 44 77 86 25
?? Practical guides
? Martinique, GéoGuide (Gallimard), guide Voir, guides Évasion and Guide du routard (Hachette), le Petit Futé
? Martinique and Dominica, Évasion guides (Hachette)
? French West Indies and Caribbean, Mondeos guides
?? How to get there
The flight from Paris to Fort-de-France takes around 8 hours. From Paris-Orly, Air France offers up to 2 direct daily flights. Tel: 36 54 - Internet: www.airfrance.com Air Caraïbes operates between 7 and 11 flights a week. With the TGV Massy air agreement, 16 provincial towns are connected. Tel: 0820 835 835 - Internet: www.aircaraibes.com Corsairfly operates a daily flight from Paris all year round, and a weekly flight from Nantes in high season, i.e. from January to April. Tel: 0820 042 042 - Internet: www.corsairfly.com
?? Hotels
LES BOUCANIERS
In the south of the island, Les Boucaniers, one of Club Med's historic sites, lies in the superb bay of Sainte-Anne. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Club Méditerranée group and SMVV, Société martiniquaise des villages de vacances, it meets international standards for quality of welcome and service. Set in a 23-hectare coconut grove, this renovated four-trident village has 293 rooms, including 12 suites. An extension of 116 rooms can accommodate groups. The Pays Mêlés restaurant serves Creole and European cuisine. Beach restaurant, l'O can be privatised. Large swimming pool. Deep-sea fishing, diving, the island's only water-ski centre. Meeting rooms for up to 150 people. Pointe du Marin, 97227 Sainte Anne. Club Med: 05 96 76 72 72 or 01 53 35 34 44 Fax: 05 96 76 57 07 - Internet www.clubmed.fr
LA BATELIÈRE
In the south-west of the island, very close to Fort-de-France, in Schoelcher, this four-star hotel overlooks the blue Caribbean Sea. This establishment, which is to become a Marriott, is returning to its role as a business hotel. It is close to the Madiana convention centre and 15 km from the airport. With its beach accessed by a few steps, it combines a business stay with relaxation. The 193 spacious rooms have private terraces with sea views or private parkland. Four connected meeting rooms and an auditorium can accommodate 550 and 200 people respectively. Private pontoon. 20, rue des Alizés, 97233 Schoelcher Tel: 05 96 61 49 49 - Fax: 05 96 61 62 29 Internet: www.hotelbateliere.com
THE VILLAGE OF SAINTE LUCE
Right on the water in Sainte Luce, this renovated village is operated by Pierre & Vacances. The hotel residence offers 337 studios and flats grouped into exotic houses, three restaurants and two bars. Swimming pool and aquatic area of 650 m2. Numerous water sports activities and access to the private pontoon. Meeting room for 180 people. Pointe Philippeau, lieu-dit Pavillon, 97228 Sainte-Luce Tel: 05 96 62 12 62 - Fax: 05 96 62 12 63 Internet: www.pierreetvacances.com
?? Conference centre Palais des congrès de Madiana. It can accommodate around 2,300 people. 97233 Schoelcher - Tel: 05 96 72 15 15 Fax: 05 96 72 15 16 - E-mail: congres@madiana.com Internet: www.madiana-congres.com
?? Receptives ? Carib Recept > ZI La Jambette, BP 292, 97286 Le Lamentin cedex - Tel: 05 96 50 20 04 - Fax: 05 96 50 15 13 - E-mail: mice@caribrecept.com Internet: www.caribrecept.com 3, rue Jules-Guesde, 92300 Levallois-Perret Tel: 01 55 70 23 00 - Fax: 01 55 70 23 01
? Madinina Tours > Espace Aéroservices, Aéroport Aimé Césaire, 97323 Le Lamentin Tel: 05 96 42 17 07 - Fax: 05 96 42 17 16 E-mail: madinina.tour@wanadoo.fr
? Passion Outremer > ZI canal Ducos Tel: 05 96 77 06 49 - Fax: 05 96 77 21 59
