Parks & Gardens

Martinique - Caribbean Parks, Caribbean Gardens

Entrance to Balata Gardens

Smelling The Flowers

The Caribs Indians named the island Madinina or Island of Flowers. A visit to the superb gardens of Martinique will show visitors how appropriate this name really is. Two thirds of the island has the French classification "Regional Nature Park," which means that most of the territory is natural and protected. The northern part of Martinique gives us the most accurate idea of how Madinina was back when the Caribs lived on the island. This region is a gold mine of old trees, untouched rivers and waterfalls, unique tropical flowers, sugar cane, pineapple and banana plantations. The south of Martinique also has special features that are found only in that part of this tropical island. The "Savane des Pétrifications" in Sainte-Anne is the perfect illustration of how time has affected landscapes with its petrified pieces of wood that strangely look and feel hard as stones or rocks. Every corner of Martinique has exceptional gardens that allow visitors to discover the island's most unique vegetation - flowers, trees, and plants - all in the same place.

Latouche's Creek Garden

Located in Carbet, Paul Gauguin's favorite village on the Caribbean coast, Habitation Latouche formerly a sugar factory was built in 1643 and is one of the oldest plantation estates of Martinique. On May 8th 1902, the mansion was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelée, but many ruins remain to recall the splendor of its past. Today, Jean Philippe Thoze, legendary founder of the Balata Botanical Garden, has transformed the grounds of Habitation Latouche into a spectacular, yet peaceful garden where history and nature are joined in a love story.

Open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tel: (596) 596 78 19 19

Balata Botanical Garden

Surely one of Martinique's stellar botanical attractions and an absolute "must see" for nature lovers, the Jardin de Balata was created some 25 years ago by Jean-Philippe Thoze who began by landscaping the grounds of his grandmother's home and just kept right on going. Today his botanical paradise is a showcase of nearly 200 species of plants, trees and flowers.

Located within a half-hour drive north of Fort-de-France, Balata Garden is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Admission: 6€ for adults, 2.50€ for children.

Tel: (596) 596 78 41 73
Fax: (596) 596 64 73 40

Banana Museum

The Banana Museum, located on the operating estate Habitation Limbé in Sainte-Marie in the northeastern part of Martinique, is a tribute to one of the island's main agricultural resources. To help visitors understand the importance of this plant, the estate offers a tour with four different stops: the Museum building, the Packaging Unit, the Creole Shanties and the Park, a perfect place for a relaxing walk to admire various banana plants and tropical flowers. This guided tour explains the history, botany and special properties of banana trees, as well as the banana’s itinerary from the field to your table. Also available, a presentation of all the products derived from the versatile banana plant and its fruit (perfume, dolls, soap, hats, as well as jam, cakes and cocktails.)

Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tel: (596) 596 69 45 52
Fax: (596) 596 69 45 51

Château Dubuc & La Caravelle Nature Trail

The ruins of Château Dubuc, home to one of the earliest settlers on Martinique, lie on the eastern peninsula of La Caravelle, an ancient area of the island. Spend a few minutes examining the ruins and the beautiful views over the rugged coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, then walk to the entrance of the nature trail which has been laid out through the mangrove forest. A one hour walk lets you see a wide selection of the plants and animals that live on the island. You definitely must bring sun screen, a hat and some drinking water. After your nature hike, head off to nearby Tartane beach to work on your tan, have a swim and laze around. There are snack facilities and a mini-golf at the beach. (Food and mini golf not included in tour prices.)

Céron Plantation

Originally the manor house of a 17th-century sugar plantation, Habitation Céron is located at the extreme north of the Caribbean coast. The plantation still boasts the remains of the old mill and is surrounded by fields where coffee, cocoa, tapioca, and bananas once flourished; avocados are now a principal crop. A highlight here is an immense park, traversed by a river that flows into two large basins. Céron is historically important because of its connection with Françoise d'Aubigné, the celebrated Madame de Maintenon who secretly married France's King Louis XIV. Céron has an open-air eatery which allows visitors to enjoy the view - a unique panorama - while tasting one of the island's most delicious crawfish fricassee recipes. Individuals are welcomed and day trips for small groups can be organized by bus or boat from Fort-de-France and Pointe du Bout. The outing, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., includes a Créole luncheon, a swim at "La Perle" beach and a guided tour of the estate.

English-speaking Madame Laurence des Grottes is in charge and her address is Anse Céron, 97250 Le Prêcheur.

Tel: (596) 596 52 94 53

Clément Plantation

At le François on the east coast, the Clément Plantation, a working rum distillery built on a hilltop, has tours of its charming 18th century Domaine Acajou, site of the 1991 Summit Meeting between Presidents George H.W. Bush and Francois Mitterrand. This 32-acre plantation, home to over three hundred plant species, has a fine contemporary museum as well. Habitation Clément, one of the oldest domains of the island, is the only Creole property in Martinique that is entirely open to the public.

The Clément Plantation is open daily all week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, free rum tasting sessions.

Tel: (596) 596 54 62 07
Fax: (596) 596 54 63 50

Les Ombrages

A 45-minute drive further north, in the village of Ajoupa Bouillon, is the rain forest botanical garden Les Ombrages, a magical place where light and shade frolic all year long, and where the waters sing, enticing plants and trees to grow to unparalleled size and splendor. Even the rocky outcroppings in the rivers and streams are dressed to the nines, draped in luxuriant ferns. Les Ombrages a riot of colors against a backdrop of lush green. This fabulous garden offers visitors several trails to discover the wonders of tropical nature.

Les Ombrages are open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Admission: 3€ for adults, 1.50€ for children under 12.

Tel: (596) 596 53 31 90
Fax: (596) 596 53 32 04

MacIntosh Plantation

The natural rain forest in the center of the island is also known as Route de la Trace, twisting and swirling through verdant fields of ferns and foliage. Martinique has almost a thousand varieties of ferns (of 10.000 varieties encountered throughout the world). The rain forest offers a perfect environment for flower growers, such as the MacIntosh Plantation in Morne Rouge.

The MacIntosh Plantation is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: 4€ for adults, 2€ euros for children.

Tel: (596) 596 52 34 21
Fax: (596) 596 52 35 17

Butterflies' Garden

The butterflies' Garden is located in Carbet on the grounds of Father Jean Baptiste du Tertre, (chronicler from the XVII century) where he build his chapel and its presbytery, a lovely place where you will be able to relax and enjoy the beauty of mother nature. The butterflies' garden tries to restore an ecosystem which underwent mutations. The action is based on the return of plants which constitute the food and support system for the reproduction of species. This garden is a true natural laboratory which makes it possible to observe repairing techniques, such as the cleaning up of waters and soils. It is a sensitive ecotourism product that echoes the benefits of sustainable development. At dawn, this lovely place gives artists the opportunity to showcase their talents. Music, theatrer and esquisite choregraphies rule! There is a restaurant located right on the estate that offers delicious Creole and French cuisine.

Restaurant 1643 - Habitation de l'Anse
Tel: (596) 596 78 17 81

Anse Latouche
97221 Le Carbet
Email : jardindespapillons@wanadoo.fr