Marigot St Martin

Marigot St Martin is the main administrative centre on this side of the island and is a classic mix of cultures; French, European and Caribbean. This quaint Gallic town holds a lot of history and has Fort Louis standing tall and proud on the hill to prove it. This historic monument is the largest of its kind on the island and a witness of its charming town that started to develop after slavery was abolished in 1848. As you approach Marigot St Martin, driving along the National 7 from the south, the view opens up before you; Marigot, its stunning bay, Fort Louis, Simpson Bay, Sandy Ground, Terres Basses, the airport and finally, Anguilla in the distance.

Marigot never got developed into a cruise port, unlike Philipsburg. As a result Marigot has retained its French Caribbean feel with fancy boutiques, charming restaurants and quaint cafes. Twice a week, on a Wednesday and Saturday morning, it’s market day in Marigot. The town gets very busy during this time with street vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, spices and fish to scarfs, crafts and paintings.

There are few large shopping malls in Marigot St Martin, only small establishments that give the town a real unique and more personal feel. If you prefer to shop in cooler conditions with air-conditioning, head over to the West Indies Shopping Mall, which is situated next to the ferry terminal. The building alone is a beautiful sight, an exquisite piece of architecture to be admired.

The Marine Royale is another top attraction in Marigot. Restaurants line the waterfront, each with a magnificent view of the moored yachts bobbing gently in the sea. Accommodation is varied in the town. Choose from quaint guest houses to large hotel complexes on the beach front.

To the south of Marigot St Martin lies the second of two bridges which allow boat access into the Lagoon from the Caribbean Sea. The bridge opens at set times throughout the day and when open traffic can get congested on the roads in and out of the town. To prevent unnecessary delays to your journey, it’s worth checking the bridge opening times before travelling through this region.