What to do in Martinique when it rains?

A gray sky this morning, a weather that is acting up, don't panic, the Tourcrib team has concocted a top 10 of activities to do in Martinique in case of bad weather! Fortunately, there are not only sandy beaches! What to do in Martinique when it rains? If you are looking for an authentic experience, a complete immersion in the Creole culture, atypical encounters with the locals, whether you are already on the island of flowers or you plan to go there soon, get out your pencils and take notes!

When it rains, what could be better than a cooking workshop with Creole recipes

We don't have to teach you anything, Martinique is full of natural resources. With its annual heat and ideal geographical location, the island of flowers is known for its varied and rich cuisine.

Codfish accras, black puddings, chicken colombo, West Indian dry cakes, coconut cakes, so many local dishes that will make you fall to the ground! Influenced by several cultures, Martinique's gastronomy has its roots in a sumptuous mix of flavors that the inhabitants will be happy to share.

Discover with Auntie Maryse, among others, how to marry the tastes and merge the knowledge that make Creole gastronomy what it is today. Go and follow the Instagram page of this cooking enthusiast who has something to make you salivate before the hour.

Handicraft and garment workshop

You like pottery, beautiful dishes, you have a weakness for colorful clothes, madras fabric, or you simply want to bring back a perfume to your sister to make her dream and transport her directly to the island? It's time to dedicate yourself to a craft workshop! Let your creativity speak for itself and let yourself be guided by the know-how of the locals.

The website martinique.org presents a lot of local creators who will propose you to make yourself the souvenirs you want to bring back. On the program, perfume making with Parfums des Îles which will intoxicate you with the scents, aromas and flora of the Caribbean, handmade soaps, wellness and body care products... Finally, why not rest and soak up the Afro-Caribbean culture at Tematik Boutik, a cocooning space where ethics and fair trade are the keywords.

A k-way and let's go to the garden of Balata!

This magnificent garden will leave you breathless even in the rain! The Balata garden is a huge botanical garden that was built around the typical Creole family home. Believe us, rain or shine, you will stay there for hours because the place is so exceptional with its 3000 species of tropical plants. Horticulturist, landscaper and poet, he imagined this garden on the land of his childhood home (belonging to his grandparents) and put all his creativity into it.

To top it all off, take a little height on the suspension bridge with the walk "at the top of the botanical garden" at more than 15 meters high and discover a breathtaking panorama of the bay of Fort-de-France and the pitons of Carbet. Apparently, we are even whispered that you could see a rainbow there, because Martinique quickly goes from rain to shine ;).

Culture, history and heritage of Martinique

From north to south, from east to west, the island of flowers is home to a multitude of museums and art galleries, including the Colette Nimar Gallery which reveals the universes of Haitian and Martinican painters as well as recognized contemporary artists through a varied selection of works of art. If you are a fan of history or archaeology, visit the Regional Museum of History and Ethnography of Fort-de-France, the Ecomuseum of Martinique or the Departmental Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory of Martinique. The museum of La Pagerie is entirely dedicated to the Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon I.

Stroll along the rum route and discover the distilleries

An unmissable experience during your stay in Martinique, a visit to a distillery is undoubtedly a must! Martinique's rums are renowned throughout the world. La Mauny, Neisson, Depaz, JM, Habitation Saint-Etienne, Clément are all distilleries where you can taste (in moderation) the different sugarcane-based recipes! Wherever you are, you will find something to satisfy your palate. With the JM distillery, in the north of Martinique, visit an exceptional site at the foot of Mount Pelee and taste one of the oldest rums, produced according to ancestral techniques. Further east, going down south, head for the Habitations Saint-Etienne with its gardens and its several hundred species of trees. For an overview of the different distilleries, visit our article on the rum factories of Martinique.

A trip to the heart of the covered market of Fort-de-France

There is nothing like diving into the cacophonous atmosphere of public markets to feel the energy of the places you visit, the cultures and the people. In a warm and colorful environment, discover all kinds of local products, exotic fruits (maracudjas, pitayas...), arranged rums, jams, cocoa, spices, and much more. Feel and vibrate to the rhythm of the covered market of Fort-de-France. It is the authentic place par excellence that you should not miss. In short, don't hesitate to stop at the local markets, no matter which town you stop in, even if it's raining!

Explore the Savane des esclaves

Immerse yourself in the reading of the comic book "La Savane des esclaves" and relive the history of Martinique. From the couch or hammock of your accommodation, enjoy this sweet moment to immerse yourself in the traditions and lifestyles as they were lived in the past. Gilbert Larose, proud of the history of his country, is the man who will tell you about it with passion and mastery. We all appreciate a little moment of reading in the quiet when it rains, it seems that reading is only more pleasant, so you know what you have to do!

After this reading and if the weather is more clement, you may have the chance to visit the site in question. Before being a comic book, the Savane des esclaves is a tourist site of 3 hectares which proposes to reconstitute an Amerindian village, to retrace the way of life of the slaves on the houses which marked the inhabitants of the countryside. 400 years of history illustrated through 20 traditional huts, 26 bilingual panels, a Creole garden, a medicinal garden ... Interesting concept, right?

Eating.

It would be unforgivable not to stop at one of the island's delicious pastry shops. No matter where you are, there's nothing more comforting than a little treat during your craft workshop or museum visit. The Route de Cluny patisserie is said to be a favorite for its tropical flavored éclair or its timeless lemon meringue pie! Try also the Coup'd'cœur at the Village de la Poterie. As its name indicates, you're sure to fall in love with it! While you are there, take the time to discover the Village de la Poterie. In this charming place, you will discover the know-how of many craftsmen, spaces dedicated to pottery, ceramics, painting, and more.

Bonjou, sa ou fè?

Learning Creole on Duolingo or any other application is good, learning Creole via online courses, okay, learning Creole with an enthusiast on site is better! Nothing beats a Martinique Creole course given directly on the island by a local. You have to admit that it is a bit frustrating not to be able to speak the local languages of the countries you visit.

If French and English are spoken everywhere on the island, succeeding in exchanging 2-3 sentences in Creole with the local population can be gratifying! It is said that language mediates culture... Understanding a few words here and there will allow you to share much more than you think! What's more, you can even practice and exchange with your doudou (=doll) back home! So check out superprof to find the perfect teacher.

And then only when it is finished, then we dance, under the rain... !

Dance is the awakening of the body, the awakening to the other, the awakening to music, to space or the awakening of the different senses. How about punctuating your stay with a little dance class? Be careful, not just any kind of dance! Learn about the traditional dances of the island and choose the one that suits you best! The bèlè is meant to be a musical movement that marries singing, music, but also storytelling.In addition, La biguine de salon, de bal or de rue, has similarities with jazz, while the mazurka, which arrived on the island in the early 20ᵉ century, is an amazing mix of mazerek (traditional Polish mazurka) and belia (form of bèlè). Atmosphere guaranteed to make you forget about this capricious weather and end your vacation on a twirling note!

En nou ay! *

With these top 10 activities, rain or shine, the Tourcrib team promises you a colorful stay. Original and authentic activities that will make your stay in Martinique even more memorable!

Now that you know what to do in Martinique when it's raining, let's take a closer look at the 20 must-sees and must-dos when the weather is nice!

*En nou ay (Creole): Let's go!