The morning market, Fort Louis, Creole streets and town beaches in Marigot, then a jet ski tour from Marina Royale to end the day.
Marigot is the capital of the French side of St Martin, wrapped around its bay below Fort Louis. It's also home to Jet Paradise, at Marina Royale. If you're spending a day in town, here's what the St Martin tourism office recommends seeing, and how to end the day on the water, leaving from Marigot itself.
What to do in Marigot, St Martin?
Start with the waterfront market in the morning, then climb to Fort Louis for the view over the bay, stroll the shopping streets and have lunch at the lolos. According to the tourism office, half a day is enough to see the main sights of the town center, which is easy to explore on foot. In the afternoon, head out to sea: our jet ski tours leave from Marina Royale, right in Marigot.
Marigot market in the morning
The market sits on the waterfront, on Boulevard de France, a five minute walk from the ferry terminal. The tourism office says it runs every day except Sunday, from 8 am to 1 pm, so go early.
What you'll find there:
- local fruit and vegetables, and spices sold loose, in whatever quantity you want;
- flavored rums, blends of rum, fruit and spices;
- crafts and souvenirs, on the curved square next to the Creole huts;
- fresh coconut water straight from the nut, or sugarcane juice pressed in front of you.
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the fish market is in full swing: the catch of the day, spiny lobster and conch go on sale, and the best pieces sell fast. Right next door, the lolos, St Martin's traditional open air eateries, serve island cooking in a laid back setting.
Fort Louis and the view over the bay
Fort Louis looks down on Marigot from its rocky hilltop, facing Anguilla. It was built in 1789 to protect the port's warehouses, where salt, coffee, sugar and rum were stored.
To get to the top, you'll climb 91 steps. The way up starts from the parking lot of the former sub-prefecture, behind the Catholic church, built in 1841. At the top, you get a 360° view over the bay and the town.
Marigot's streets and beaches
On Rue de la République, the 19th century facades have kept their original look: a stone ground floor, a wooden upper floor and a balcony trimmed with carved woodwork known as gingerbread. Around this street and the waterfront, shops follow one after another, with murals along the way.
To swim without leaving town, the tourism office points to two beaches:
- Galisbay, at the northern end of Marigot Bay, right below Fort Louis, a favorite with locals;
- Baie Nettlé, just outside town, between the sea and the lagoon, quiet and cooled by the trade winds.
End the day on the water, from Marigot
Marigot is best explored on foot; St Martin is also worth seeing from the sea. We're open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, and all our tours run with or without a boating licence, with a guide from start to finish, one or two people per jet ski.
Three ways to round off a day in Marigot:
- The [Lagoon Trip](/en/jet-ski/lagoon-trip/): 45 minutes on the calm water of Simpson Bay Lagoon, sheltered from the open sea. It's our ideal tour for a first jet ski ride.
- [Terres Basses](/en/jet-ski/terres-basses/): an hour and a half along the cliffs, villas and white sand beaches of the island's west side.
- [Sunset Dream](/en/jet-ski/sunset-dream/): an hour and a half at sunset, off Terres Basses, to end the day out at sea.
Never ridden a jet ski and want a shorter first try? The jet ski intro session runs with or without a licence, with a guide. And if you'd rather watch the sunset from land, Fort Louis included, read our guide to the best sunset spots in St Martin.
In short
A morning is enough for the market, Fort Louis and Marigot's streets; keep the afternoon for the sea. Pick your tour, then book your jet ski tour in Marigot: we'll call you or message you on WhatsApp to set the departure time.
