St. Martin / Marigot - The French Style in the Exotic Caribbean
The smallest island in the world to be divided by two nations, the French and the Dutch, St. Martin is is definitely one of those places you should see before you die, mixng European class with tropical beauty. The result is a laid back but very chic place, in other words, the perfect place to spend your holiday. Good weather all year round and affordable prices mean you'll be returning here first chance you get.
General Info
Few places in the Caribbean can compete with Marigot when it comes to colonial chic. This town on the island of Saint Martin is probably the most French looking town in all the Caribbean, with its colonial style houses and fancy cafes and bistros, pastry shops, and those quintessentially French luxury boutiques. This, coupled with the tropical setting, makes Marigot a favorite spot for Yacht Charter tourists everywhere.
Marigot gets its name from the swamp where the original settlement, a fishing village, once stood. It was elevated to the rank of town once King Louis XVI built the St. Louis Fort on a hill near Marigot Bay. Today, the fort still stands and it’s one of the Yacht Charter tourist attractions.
Travel & Arrival
The airport servicing the island of Saint Martin is called Princess Juliana International Airport and it’s located in Simpson Bay in the Dutch part of the island. There is a smaller airport in the French part called L’Esperance Airport but that can only accommodate planes up to 20 seats in size. The airlines that bring Yacht Charter travelers here include Air France, American airlines, Continental. Corsair, Dutch Caribbean Airlines and Air Caraibes.
Ferry transportation is designed only for trips between the islands, for which you’ll require a passport or a valid driver’s license. The main routes go to Anguilla, St. Barths and Saba with trips made several times a day. Transportation on the island itself and around town is made by taxi, or by jitney, which is favored by most Yacht Charter foreigners, even if they tend to get crowded on occasion.
Avant & Apres Sail
Obviously, the most important sight in Marigot remains the imposing Fort St, Louis, overlooking the Marigot bay. It’s the largest historical building on St. Martin and it was built in 1797 as protection from foreign invaders. Another important sight is the Museum “On the Trail of the Arawaks” which is basically a way to preserve the local history and culture. It’s located near the Yacht Charter marian Port la Royale.
Market Days in themselves are a sight worth checking out, going on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the morning, along the wharves of the Boulevard du France, with local food produce and even local handicrafts, but most of all, it’s a chance for Yacht Charter holidaymakers to mingle with the locals.
As you can imagine, just like everything else in town, the food too draws inspiration heavily from the French cuisine, but with the added twist of the Caribbean influences and exotic ingredients. Seafood such as fish and shellfish are always fresh and on the menu, coupled with the likes of jerk chicken and grilled fish. Some of the Yacht Charter guests will surely fall in love with the locals’ way of dining, with large course meals that can last all evening, proof that eating is serious business here.
The nightlife is marked by lots of lovely beach bars where you can enjoy a nice drink while watching the sun set into the sea. The promenade is packed full of such cozy little bars, one more chic and swanky then the other and there’s no shortage of merriment. The bored Yacht Charter sailor should remember names like Bikini Beach, Boo Boo Jam, Coco beach, Le Galion, Le Grand Bleu or Kakao when looking for fun.
Events & Actions
Due to the fair weather all year round, Marigot is a busy place and full of events to keep the Yacht Charter crowds of tourists satisfied. In January and February there’s the Carnaval, in March there’s the Heineken International Regatta, in May there’s the Nautical Fest organized by the Metimer Association, in June there’s the Fishing Tournament Marlen Open and the Summer heat Music festival, in August there’s a Film Festival and in December there are numerous events, including the Miss Caribbean Hibiscus Pageant.