Les Trois-Îlets
Islands Caribbean Martinique town with bays and colonial history
On Martinique’s western shore, Les Trois-Îlets attracts beachgoers to Anse Mitan, day-trippers on ferries to Fort-de-France and visitors to the Musée de la Pagerie (Josephine Bonaparte’s house).
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Les Trois-Îlets is a commune and tourist area on the Caribbean coast of Martinique, situated on the southern side of Fort-de-France Bay. It functions as a resort zone with hotels, beaches and marina facilities concentrated around its bay-facing shoreline.
Major visitor highlights include the Pointe du Bout resort peninsula with marinas and hotels, sandy beaches such as Anse Mitan, and the Musée de la Pagerie, the historic house museum associated with the birthplace of Joséphine de Beauharnais. The commune offers water-based activities, beach recreation and short boat crossings to Fort-de-France.
The area developed as a coastal settlement and later a tourist destination; plantation-era estates in the interior were converted into museums and cultural sites while the bay side urbanised for hotels and leisure. Contemporary Les Trois-Îlets balances local community life with tourism infrastructure.
Geographically the commune lies on the leeward side of Martinique’s central bay, directly across from Fort-de-France and within short ferry distance of the island’s main urban hub.
- Ferry links: Ferry services run frequently across the bay to Fort-de-France, making the commune a convenient base for visitors looking to combine beaches with urban outings.
What to See #
- Pointe du Bout: A coastal resort area called **Pointe du Bout** with hotels, marinas and ferry links to Fort-de-France, located on the bay-facing side of the commune.
- Musée de la Pagerie: An 18th-century plantation house turned museum that preserves the birthplace and legacy of Joséphine de Beauharnais, open to visitors.
- Beaches: Beaches such as Anse Mitan provide sandy shorelines and shallow water popular with day visitors and local boat operators.
How to Get to Les Trois-Îlets #
By ferry: regular ferries and water taxis connect Fort-de-France (about 10-20 minutes). By road: N5 and local routes link Trois-Îlets to the island’s road network; rental cars and taxis are common for onward travel.
Tips for Visiting Les Trois-Îlets #
- Take the ferry from Fort-de-France for a straightforward crossing-book in high season to secure seats.
- Visit the Anse Mitan and Pointe du Bout areas for beaches and snorkeling; early morning offers calmer water.
- Rent a car cautiously-local roads are narrow and parking in high season can be tight.
- Try local rum punch and Ti' Punch at an island bar; Trois-Îlets has a pronounced café culture in the afternoons.
Best Time to Visit Les Trois-Îlets #
Dry season (Dec-May) is best for beach weather and clear crossings; shoulder months are quieter.
