Things to do — Marigot Grand-Case

The French side of Saint Martin is discovered by alternating beach days, cultural excursions and gastronomic evenings.

Marigot is lived ideally on Wednesday and Saturday mornings: traditional market on the waterfront (exotic fruits, spices, fishermen), Creole breakfast in a lolo, then climb to Fort Saint-Louis (1789, French ruins, 360° panoramic view, 15-20 min walk). Lunch on the port (La Belle Epoque, Le Bar de la Mer) or at West Indies Mall (shopping centre facing the marina). Afternoon: visit the Saint Martin History and Archaeology Museum (€8, Amerindian and colonial history) or shopping at Marina Royale boutiques.

Grand-Case is the gastronomic and romantic meeting point. Leisure day on the beach (golden sand, generally calm sea), sunset aperitif in one of the beach bars, then dinner in a lolo (€15-25/person) or a gastronomic restaurant (€50-150/person). The Mardis de Grand-Case (January-April) close the street to traffic and bring in artisan stands and evening animations — the most festive experience on the French side. Book 1-2 weeks ahead for gastronomic spots in high season.

The western beaches are visited in a day's loop: Baie Nettlé (calm lagoon, ideal family) in the morning, lunch at Sandy Ground (Karakter Beach Bar, La Cigale), afternoon Baie Rouge (white sand, red cliffs, sometimes marked waves). Another day: Friar's Bay (two famous lolos: Friar's Bay Beach Café and Kali's Beach Bar, family atmosphere), then 15-min walk to Happy Bay (wild and deserted, no infrastructure, bring water). For snorkelling lovers: Plum Bay (turtles, multicoloured fish, mask and snorkel essential).

The Pic Paradis hike (424 m) is the most beautiful inland excursion: car access to the Loterie Farm car park, then 30 min walk on a marked trail, 360° panorama at the summit. Loterie Farm itself is a nature park (former plantation converted) with trails, ziplines and restaurant.

Boat excursions from Sandy Ground or Marigot Marina: day to Anguilla (ferry from Marigot, 25 min, €30 return + crossing into British territory, pristine Shoal Bay beaches), half-day to Tintamarre (deserted islet to the north-east, snorkelling), catamaran island tour day with snorkelling (€130-180/person).