Introduction
The terrain of Martinique varies from the high mountains of the north and centre to the rolling hills around Fort-de-France and the safe, sheltered harbours of the lower west coast. Martinique has a variety of small museums celebrating aspects of the island’s culture and history, including the Empress Josephine’s connection with the island, the eruption of Montagne Pelée, the rum trade and dolls made from local materials.
The island’s capital is a town of winding streets and colourful markets. In the centre of the town is the park of La Savanne. A statue in La Savanne commemorates Napoleon’s Empress Josephine, a native of Martinique, whose home, La Pagerie, is one of the main tourist attractions. The Musée Départemental has remains of the predominantly Arawak and Carib Indian prehistory of the island. There is an interesting Caribbean Arts Centre. Les Trois-Îlets (Josephine’s birthplace) is situated across the bay from Fort-de-France.
The 1430m (4700ft) volcanic mountain in the north, Montagne Pelée, last erupted in 1902 (in a unique explosion which literally ripped the summit off), destroying the city of St Pierre and its entire population of 30,000. (Only a prisoner in an underground cell, Auguste Ciparis, survived – he was subsequently pardoned and ended his days as a fairground exhibit in the USA.) The remains of St Pierre, once a beautiful and remarkable city known as the ‘pearl of the Caribbean’, are now a tourist attraction. The Musée Volcanologique contains exhibits, photographs and documents that tell the story of the disaster. Today, St Pierre is Martinique’s second city and, although run down, still shows some signs of its former glory: the old stone stairways and bridges still exist, and the ruins of the theatre are a prominent feature. Some of the historic buildings are being rebuilt and restored, notably the old customs house by the waterfront. The long grey-sand beach is very popular with local people. It is possible to visit the wrecks of the ships which were in the harbour on the day Montagne Pelée erupted – all but one of them went down in the disaster. Special submarines with glass windows take tourists to view the wrecks and the colourful fish which swim around them. It is also possible to dive to see them.
Near Le Carbet, where Columbus landed on his fourth voyage in 1502, is the restored plantation of Leyritz, which is now visited by many tourists. The Centre d’Art Paul Gauguin may be found in Le Carbet itself. It contains exhibits relating to the painter’s stay in the area and the work he did while there.
In the south of the island is Pointe du Bout, Martinique’s major resort area. Ste Anne, Le Diamant and Les Anses d’Arlets have some of the island’s best bathing beaches. HMS Diamond Rock, 4km (2.5 miles) off Diamant, is a rock which was designated a man-of-war by the British during the Napoleonic wars and rates a 12-gun salute from passing British warships.
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