Martinque´s terrific Trois Îlets

There are some 20 towns outside capital Fort-de-France, with honorable mention for appealing going to Les Anses d´Arlet (pop. around 3,800) in the southwest, famed for its iconic waterfront view  – and “Three Islets” (known as Twazilé in Creole), is definitely one not to miss. In fact, it´s Martinique´s top resort town, and arguably more popular than the capital just across the bay. Less than a than a half hour´s drive away and just 20 minutes by ferry, this charmer of around 7,500 is packed with – besides its characteristic brick-and-clapboard houses – a wide choice of restaurants, nightspots, shops, and all manner of hotels, resorts, inns, and guesthouses.

Check out the colorful public market, as well as a number of worthwhile historical/cultural landmarks, including the Church of Notre-Dame de la Bonne Déliverance (started in 1724 and not finished till 1955!) and most especially La Pagerie, a modest cottage-turned museum on the outskirts of town which was the birthplace in 1763 of a certain Marie Joseph Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, who shacked up with some dude named Napoleon Bonaparte and became France´s Empress Josephine. (I still remember visiting and being interviewed here by a local TV channel on the subject of tourism because I spoke some French.) There´s also a trio of interesting museums, devoted to sugarcane, coffee and cocoa, and seashells.

Also on the outskirts you´ll find La Poterie, a pottery village and brickworks in operation since the 1783, where visitors can see it all being crafted and of course shop for mementos – both pottery and other arts and crafts. Also not far from town, La Savane des Esclaves is a privately owned 12-acre (4.85ha) outdoor museum showcasing the island´s terrible history of slavery as well as its pre-Columbia peoples, including exhibits and reconstructed huts.

(And by the way, if you love to golf, check out the fantastic seaside 18-holer here. Also, in case you were wondering, the titular three islets are Charles, Sixtain, and Thebloux out in the bay.)

Read more in my post Martinique, C'est Magnifique!


Alexey Komarov

 

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