French Saint-Martin

Drone shot of Marina Fort Louis and Marigot © Donovane Tremor

Iam always delighted to hear when anyone falls in love with our friendly island, be they passing visitors who came here for a relaxing break or entrepreneurs who wanted to develop their business. You are more than welcome on this island. It is full of promises, with magical landscapes and countless opportunities. You’re in for some unique experiences that we are proud to be promoting, because, here, on Saint Martin, we guarantee that your dreams are within reach. Visiteurs de passage venus ici vous ressourcer, entrepreneurs guidés par l’ambition de développer votre activité, notre île si chaleureuse a su vous séduire et je m’en réjouis. Soyez assurés d’être les bienvenus sur cette terre toujours riche de promesses, aux paysages enchanteurs et aux multiples opportunités. Vous goûterez à des expériences uniques que nous sommes fiers de promouvoir car à Saint-Martin, c’est une certitude, vos rêves deviennent toujours accessibles.

Une nouvelle page s’est tournée pour notre île, et les épreuves du passé ont fait place à un avenir empli d’espoir. Vous y trouverez un parc hôtelier entièrement rénové, aujourd’hui le plus récent de toute la Caraïbe, des hébergements cosy à l’authentique charme tropical, ainsi qu’une myriade de restaurants confortant notre réputation de capitale gastronomique. Bien d’autres expériences vous attendent si vous découvrez notre petit paradis de 88 km2 pour la première fois. Trente-

A new page has turned on our island, and the challenges of the past have paved the way for a future full of hope. You’ll find completely renovated hotels, the most recent in the whole of the Caribbean, cozy accommodations with that authentic tropical charm, and a wide range of restaurants where you’ll see why we are well known as the gourmet capital. Countless experiences await you if you are coming to our little slice of heaven, spread over 37sq. mi., for the first time. Thirtyseven sandy beaches, with warm and crystal-clear waters, a

bountiful natural environment, and a wide range of activities make for an exceptional experience, whether you come here for a relaxing break, or to build a new life.

On the French side of the island in the north, you’ll be amazed by the contrasts all around you: luxury and peaceand-quiet in the protected enclave of Terres Basses, the authentic capital, Marigot, the colors and local flavors in Grand Case, and sept plages de sable fin, des eaux tièdes et cristallines, une nature généreuse et d’innombrables activités vous feront vivre l’exceptionnel pour quelques jours de détente ou une nouvelle vie à construire.

the easygoing pace of life in Orient Bay with a huge beach and friendly atmosphere in the evenings. Nettlé Bay, Anse Marcel, and Oyster Pond are just some of the enchanting places that you will hopefully soon see with your own eyes. Each place has its own history and identity, each place will show you how unique our island is, our island that we are so

fiercely proud of.

The St-Martin Tourist Office will

be by your side to assist you on your adventure, to support local businesses, and to promote our superb destination all over the world. Our top priority is to nurture our international reputation by showcasing the wonderful way of life on our “Friendly Island,” because I am convinced that a treasure can only really be appreciated if it is shared. And I’ll let you in on a secret: in Saint Martin, we approach life with a smile, and we are sure to get smiles in return. Au nord de l’île, la partie française mêle les contrastes pour un émerveillement de chaque instant : luxe et quiétude dans l’enclave préservée des Terres Basses, authenticité de notre capitale Marigot, couleurs et saveurs locales à GrandCase, douceur de vivre de la Baie Orientale gâtée d’une immense plage et d’une ambiance conviviale en soirée. Baie Nettlé, Anse Marcel, Oyster Pond… autant de sites tout aussi captivants qui vous seront, je l’espère, bientôt familiers. Chaque lieu a son histoire et son identité, chacun saura vous offrir cette empreinte locale qui fait notre fierté.

L’Office de tourisme de Saint-Martin poursuit sans relâche ses efforts pour vous accompagner dans votre expérience, soutenir les acteurs économiques locaux et faire rayonner dans le monde entier les charmes de notre destination. Cultiver une réputation internationale en incarnant pleinement l’art de vivre de notre « Friendly island » reste une priorité absolue car, j’en suis persuadée, un trésor ne s’apprécie pleinement que s’il est partagé. Et je vous confie son secret : à Saint-Martin, on sourit toujours à la vie et elle nous le rend bien.

Valérie Damaseau President of the St-Martin Tourist Office Valérie Damaseau Présidente de l’Office de tourisme de Saint-Martin

Saint-Martin is a friendly and authentic small island, surrounded by 37 white sandy beaches, turquoise water, cradled by the beautiful Caribbean sun.

The Friendly Island is known for its picturesque landscapes and its captivating nights but also for its charming inhabitants. This fame is also due to the coexistence of France and the Netherlands on 88 km2, in perfect harmony.

The French side is in the North and is an overseas collectivity of France. The Dutch side is pegged to the group of Netherlands. In recent years both sides’ statuses have evolved allowing them more freedom to collaborate with their counterparts and giving them more control over local issues. The most common languages spoken on the island are French, English, Creole, Spanish and Dutch.

Grand Case, the culinary capital offers typical and local cuisine but also French gourmet restaurants with varied atmospheres: festive, romantic, local etc. Marigot, which is the Capital of the French side, is ideal for shopping, relaxation and refreshment. Pic Paradis, the highest peak of the island is famous for its natural activities and its wonderful rain forest.

Music has a precious place in Saint-Martin, soca, zouk, reggae, salsa but also soul and jazz that are the sounds that keep the

Sentier des froussards © Donovane Tremor French Flag at Fort Louis © Donovane Tremor

island alive night and day. Despite the success of tourism, the island has preserved its authentic Creole charms: natural islets, colored wooden houses, mountains walks, all in a beautiful protected area. Carnival, Christmas or Easter are part of traditions. Melodies and dances with traditional costumes, parades, glitters and feathers, all together on the sweet rhythm of the Caribbean music. The island invites visitors to experience what we call the “Friendly Island”, for an unforgettable stay.

TOPOGRAPHY

One can enjoy the many bays and creeks along the shores of Saint-Martin where several water sports can be enjoyed. Pic Paradis, the highest summit

Ilet Pinel © Donovane Tremor

culminates at 424 metres (1392 feet) in the centre of the island.

Simpson Bay lagoon, one of the largest within the Caribbean, is an ideal place for water sports boat trips and special cruises.

CLIMATE

Average temperatures vary between 66 and 82° F in January and between 72 and 89° F in July. The most important rains occur between August and November of each year and the drought is serious during February, March and April.

FLORA

The island is covered with a variety of tropical flowers which make the landscape a delight to look at. The thicker forest occupies the more mountainous areas.

FAUNA

Many pelicans, herons, aigrettes, waders and gulls live around the salt ponds and one can easily see mongooses crossing the streets, lizards, iguanas and turtles along the trails. Humming birds and sugar birds are common in the gardens.

BEACHES

37 beaches of white sand, each one with its own charm and beauty, wild islets and coral reefs.

© 1world2lovers

Parotte Ville © Donovane Tremor

Baie Rouge Stairs © Donovane Tremor

ART

If many international artists have migrated to Saint-Martin in search of new sensations, the native painters of the Caribbean and of the island undoubtedly hold the island heritage through a combination of the genuine values of the Caribbean islands in their works.

Roland Richardson has a gift for grasping nature as a whole and deeply seizing environment. This Saint-Martin artist understands that the subject appeals to you and not the other way around; that is why he tries to go far beyond personal expectations and respect nature’s gifts and offerings.

In Saint-Martin, art is linked to collective life and the artist expresses the surrounding energies, namely the beauty of the scenery, the glistening of colors and the variety of lights.

Although the island has experienced a galloping development toward urbanization, the work of the artists continues to restore the very essence of the Caribbean world through an original luxuriant nature. Saint-Martin will live, breathe and rise thanks to their talent.

© Orient Beach Hotel

LODGING

Diversity is the word by which one could describe lodging on Saint-Martin. The island offers a great variety of places that accommodate visitors from the world around throughout the year. The choice of hotels is wide, unique in the Caribbean and covers numerous sites, styles, sizes and moods according to the taste of the clients. On the beach side or up on the hillside to discover the magnificent views, close to the shopping centres or facing the splendour of the Caribbean,

© Hotel Karibuni

The Overseas Lovers © Hommage Hôtel et Résidences - Baie Nettlé

sports and leisure lovers will find a wide variety of activities they can practice, whereas lovers of Caribbean mildness will appreciate the charm and the calm of the more intimate places.

Whatever the size or style of the hotel, the owners are professional, strict and concerned about preserving a great quality of equipment and services, they have an innate sense of reception and this Caribbean kindness distinctive of the friendly island.

Our binding character is one of happiness, each one is convinced that our hosts are first of all friends and everyone would like you to fall in love with Saint-Martin and welcome you to Paradise!

Restaurant le Karibuni on Pinel Island © Donovane Tremor

Baie Rouge © Donovane Tremor

Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin (Head Office) 10, rue du Général de Gaulle, 97150 Saint Martin Tel: +590 590 87 57 21 Email: contact@st-martin.org Website: www.st-martin.org

© Media Publishing International