Set in a large bay on the leeward side of the island looking out onto the Caribbean sea, Fort de France became the capital of Martinique when St Pierre was wiped out by the eruption of the volcano Montagne Pelée in 1902.
The town has mushroomed from less than 10,000 inhabitants at the time of the eruption to its current level of nearly 100,000 people. The historical centre grew around the strategic point of the Fort Saint Louis, which was first established in 1638. There are numerous cultural and historical places of interest in Fort-de-France, as well as a wide choice of quality shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, selling French and Creole products. English is widely spoken and understood, and US Dollars are accepted in most outlets.
Like the rest of the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Champlain successfully manages to subtly combine the desire to explore the remotest regions of the planet with the comfort and privacy of a cozily intimate ship. To the innovative and environmentally friendly equipment are added elegant design and a unique atmosphere in keeping with the whole PONANT universe. Your dream of a cruise onboard a cozily intimate ship is thus made possible through the combination of an authentically genuine voyage experience together with discreet luxury.
Feb 16, 2028 - Fort de France
Set in a large bay on the leeward side of the island looking out onto the Caribbean sea, Fort de France became the capital of Martinique when St Pierre was wiped out by the eruption of the volcano Montagne Pelée in 1902.
The town has mushroomed from less than 10,000 inhabitants at the time of the eruption to its current level of nearly 100,000 people. The historical centre grew around the strategic point of the Fort Saint Louis, which was first established in 1638. There are numerous cultural and historical places of interest in Fort-de-France, as well as a wide choice of quality shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, selling French and Creole products. English is widely spoken and understood, and US Dollars are accepted in most outlets.
Feb 17, 2028 - Port Elizabeth (Bequia)
Feb 18, 2028 - Tobago Cays, Grenadines
Made up of five small, uninhabited islands, Tobago Cays is a popular destination for anchoring cruise ships and yachts. Located in the Southern Grenadines, the archipelago is also the site of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, consisting of a large sand-bottomed lagoon and the vibrant Horseshoe Reef. The clear, warm waters and diverse marine life in the surrounding area, make Tobago Cays an excellent destination for travelers interested in diving, snorkeling and sport fishing.
Feb 19, 2028 - Mayreau, Grenadines
Tossed like a tiny emerald among the Grenadines' 100 islands is Mayreau. In this idyllic spot there are no cars, just one tiny village and one resort, hidden away
in the palms.
Feb 20, 2028 - Pigeon Island, St. Lucia
Pigeon Island is located in the north of St Lucia. It is drier, with thorn scrub and cactus, and is home to colonies of seabirds. St Lucia is an independent island in the south-eastern Caribbean Sea, one of the Windward Islands close to Barbados, Martinique and St Vincent.
Feb 20, 2028 - Soufriere
Soufriere is a town and port on the east coast of St Lucia. Mountainous St Lucia's tapestry of lush hillslopes and plantation-filled valleys lend an exotic backdrop to the brightly-painted buildings of this small fishing community dominated by one of the Caribbean's most photographed landmarks, the volcanic coneshaped peaks of the Pitons rearing vertically skywards from the sea. Explore the steaming crater of what is billed as the world's only 'drive-in' volcano and test Soufriere's hot sulphur baths amid the rainforest. Further sights are to be seen at Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths where you can walk the gardens and take a dip in the pool under the waterfalls - and don’t forget those unspoiled golden beaches.
Feb 21, 2028 - Iles des Saintes
Pastoral and far off the beaten track, the Saintes are a cluster of eight islands off the southern coast of Guadeloupe. In Bourg, the charming hamlet on Terre-de-Haut, the largest isle, you can wander peaceful streets past small houses, then follow the narrow road out of town through fields and hills to a sweeping strand of secluded beach.
Feb 22, 2028 - St. Pierre, Martinique
Saint-Pierre, Martinique, is often called the Pompeii of the New World—in 1902, about 30,000 people perished under a cloud of molten ash and poisonous gas there, about 20 mi/32 km north of Fort de France. Before Mount Pelee erupted, Saint-Pierre was often likened to Paris for its beauty and sophistication. As you walk the streets that were dug out of the ashes, consider what Saint-Pierre was like a century ago. The town had three newspapers, several consulates and an intricate trolley line. Some of the stone two-story homes were equipped with running water, electricity and telephones.
Only one person survived the Saint-Pierre disaster: a prisoner sleeping off a raucous night in a stone cell. He went on to fame in the U.S. as part of the Barnum and Bailey circus. His cell can be seen in the ruins of the prison, situated right next to the ruins of the old theater, also worth a visit.
The town of Le Carbet, south of Saint-Pierre, marks the spot where Columbus landed in 1502, and has beautiful gray sand beaches.
Feb 23, 2028 - Vieux Fort
Vieux Fort is set on St. Lucia's southern tip, 20 mi/32 km southeast of Castries. There's not much to see in the town itself, but the surrounding area offers some beautiful, long beaches (Anse de Sables may be the prettiest beach on the island), hotels and restaurants, the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, and St. Lucia's international airport, Hewanorra. The scenery en route from Castries along the Atlantic coast includes some of the most spectacular views in the Caribbean.
Though you could get to Vieux Fort and back on a day trip, an overnight stay will give you plenty of time to see the sights along the way. Leave Castries via the center road that goes over the Barre de L'Isle Range—the sights are breathtaking.
If it's still light when you arrive in Vieux Fort, see the blending of the Caribbean and Atlantic from atop Moule-a-Chique, not far from town. And if you're there on a Saturday, be sure to stop at the lively market.