Things to do — North Martinique

North Martinique offers a diversity of experiences that easily justifies a week of stay on its own.

Saint-Pierre is the absolute must-see. The visit of the ruins (opera theatre, prison, Cyparis cell — one of the three eruption survivors, former warehouses, cathedral) constitutes an open-air route of rare emotion. The Frank Perret Museum (Earth Sciences Discovery Centre, €7) presents the 1902 eruption and its aftermath with remarkable pedagogy — melted objects, archival photographs, testimonies of the rare survivors. The reconstructed cathedral after 1902 and Bertin square (seafront facing the volcano) complete the visit. Plan a half-day minimum.

The Mount Pelée hike via the Aileron trail is the emblematic experience of the North. Departure from the Aileron parking (Le Morne-Rouge, 815 m altitude), 5h round trip, 800 m elevation, intermediate to difficult level. Imperative precautions: departure before 7am to avoid cloud cover, 3 L of water per person, high shoes, rain clothing, headlamp, charged phone. The summit offers in clear weather an exceptional panorama over the entire island.

AOC rum distilleries are the other major pole of the North. Depaz (Saint-Pierre, former Pécoul habitation rebuilt after the eruption, exceptional panorama over the bay, free visit with tasting). Neisson (Le Carbet, family distillery founded in 1931, one of the most authentic, free visit). JM (Macouba, at the northeastern extremity, famous for its exceptional aged rums, paid visit €6, tasting included). Plan a sober driver.

The deep north (Le Prêcheur, Grand-Rivière, Macouba) deserves a dedicated day. The panoramic road from Le Prêcheur to Grand-Rivière (dead end, 30 km, 1h winding road) offers spectacular panoramas over the vegetated cliffs and the Caribbean Sea. At Grand-Rivière, remote village of 700 inhabitants, have lunch on the port facing the colourful yoles. The Anse Couleuvre (Le Prêcheur, access by 20-min trail) is probably the most beautiful black sand beach of the island.