Split by the 1648 Treaty of Concordia, Saint Martin is half French, half Dutch, and all Caribbean allure. On the French side, pastel Marigot overlooks a bright-blue bay beneath Fort Louis, while Grand Case lives up to its nickname as the “gourmet capital of the Caribbean.” Expect powdery beaches, reef‑rimmed coves, and sunset skies painted in guava and gold.

Highlights on the French side include Orient Bay’s lively beach clubs, the nature‑rich slopes of Pic Paradis and Loterie Farm, and offshore gems like Creole Rock, Pinel Island, and wild Tintamarre. Days are for snorkeling with turtles and sipping planteur’s punch; nights are for slow dinners that linger over vanilla‑rum desserts.

Practical notes: the French side uses euros (USD widely accepted), drives on the right, and speaks French and English. Peak season runs December–April; hurricane season is June–November. Taxis are easy, but a rental car offers flexibility. Fly into SXM (Princess Juliana, Dutch side) and you’ll be on the French side in 20–30 minutes.

Marigot

Marigot blends French flair with Caribbean rhythm: a waterfront market rich with spices and batik, 18th‑century Fort Louis crowning the harbor, and a marina lined with bistros where baguettes meet creole spice. It’s a perfect base for Orient Bay, Loterie Farm, and west‑coast beaches.

• Top sights: Fort Louis (1789), Marigot Market and Marina Port La Royale, Pic Paradis viewpoints, Baie Rouge at sunset.
• Don’t miss: Fresh accras (salt-cod fritters) at the market, a late‑afternoon climb to Fort Louis for sweeping harbor views, and a dip at quiet Baie Longue.
• Where to stay: Search stays in Marigot on VRBO or browse hotels on Hotels.com. Consider boutique hideaways near the marina or hillside apartments with sea views.
• Getting in: Book flights to SXM on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi to Marigot is ~20 minutes (~$25–35); rental cars are ~$45–70/day.

Day 1 — Arrival in Saint Martin (French Side)

Morning: Fly into SXM via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim for an early afternoon landing.

Afternoon: Taxi to Marigot and check in via VRBO or Hotels.com. Stroll the Marigot Market for vanilla beans, guavaberry liqueur, and local art; grab a fresh coconut water at the waterfront stalls.

Evening: Walk up to Fort Louis (15–20 minutes) for sunset over the harbor, then dine at Tropicana (Marina Port La Royale)—think foie gras terrine, local lobster, and a deep French wine list. Nightcap with a ti’ punch along the marina.

Day 2 — Orient Bay Beach Clubs

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Croissant Royal by the waterfront (try the almond croissant). Head to Orient Bay (20 minutes by car). Rent loungers at Bikini Beach or Kakao Beach; calm water, great service, and showers on site.

Afternoon: Lunch toes‑in‑the‑sand—grilled mahi‑mahi, salade niçoise, or a Caribbean curry. Try a paddleboard or a short kite‑lesson if winds cooperate. If you prefer quiet, detour to nearby Le Galion for gentle, family‑friendly shallows.

Evening: Back in Marigot, book Le Bistro Nu (classic French bistro fare; pepper steak and crème brûlée are standouts). Post‑dinner amble through Marina Port La Royale for gelato.

Day 3 — Pic Paradis and Loterie Farm

Morning: Quick espresso and a chocolate éclair at a local patisserie near the marina, then drive 15 minutes inland to Loterie Farm. Hike or drive up to Pic Paradis, the island’s highest point, for sweeping views over both the French and Dutch sides.

Afternoon: Return to Loterie Farm for the Jungle Pool day pass or the zipline canopy (expect ~$50–80 pp for activities). Lunch at the Hidden Forest Café—lionfish ceviche and fresh salads are excellent. On your way back, stop at Baie Rouge for a late swim and golden-hour photography.

Evening: Casual creole at the Marigot market stalls—try colombo chicken and plantains—or book a table at the marina if you prefer candlelit French cuisine.

Grand Case

Grand Case is where fine dining meets barefoot bliss. A curve of beach shelters fishing skiffs by day and twinkles with beach‑bar lanterns by night, while offshore Creole Rock teems with angelfish and turtles.

• Top experiences: Snorkel Creole Rock, ferry to Pinel Island, sunset on Grand Case Beach, and a lazy lunch at the famous Lolos (Sky’s the Limit or Talk of the Town).
• Where to eat: Ocean‑view fine dining at Ocean 82, rum‑forward gastronomy at Le Pressoir, French‑Creole classics at Bistrot Caraibes, and modern Caribbean at La Villa. Daytime vibes at Rainbow Café—don’t miss their brunch.
• Where to stay: Search Grand Case stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Consider Grand Case Beach Club (private coves), Hotel L’Esplanade (hillside suites), or Orient Bay options like Esmeralda Resort and La Playa.
• Getting there from Marigot: 15–20 minutes by car; taxi ~$20–30. Public minibuses run but are infrequent—renting a car makes beach‑hopping easy.

Day 4 — Marigot to Grand Case + Creole Rock

Morning: Final pass through the Marigot Market for spices and woven baskets. Drive or taxi to Grand Case (20 minutes) and check in via VRBO or Hotels.com.

Afternoon: Lunch at the Lolos (Sky’s the Limit or Talk of the Town). Order grilled lobster by weight, ribs, johnnycakes, and sorrel juice. Then snorkel Creole Rock—go by kayak from Grand Case Beach Club or join a 2–3‑hour boat (usually ~$65–80 pp, gear included).

Evening: Creative vignette for your presentation (Part 4 of 6): “En la orilla de Grand Case, el mar respira azul sobre la arena fina. Una barca duerme bajo el sol y, más allá, el Rocher Créole dibuja un perfil secreto. El aire huele a sal, a coco y a vainilla; las olas escriben promesas en la espuma. Miro el horizonte y siento que el tiempo se hace ligero, como si el Caribe guardara un latido antiguo. Pienso: algún día volveré, porque hay lugares que no se visitan; se quedan contigo.” After, dress up for dinner at Ocean 82—reserve a terrace table for sea‑spray views and a refined seafood tasting menu.

Day 5 — Catamaran to Tintamarre and Pinel Island

Board a full‑day catamaran (6–7 hours; typically ~$120–150 pp, lunch and open bar included). Snorkel with turtles off Tintamarre, float above coral gardens at Creole Rock, and wade the shallows of Pinel Island with iguanas sunning on the rocks. Beach chairs are available on Pinel; the sautéed conch and passion‑fruit mojitos are island staples. Back at Grand Case, rinse off and enjoy a relaxed dinner at La Villa (warm service, Caribbean‑French plates, excellent value set menus).

Day 6 — Happy Bay, Friar’s Bay, and Rum Heritage

Morning: Brunch at Rainbow Café (good coffee, smoothie bowls, and a breezy terrace). Walk from Friar’s Bay to hidden Happy Bay (10–15 minutes). Bring snorkel gear for the rocky points; mornings are quiet and crystalline.

Afternoon: Return to Friar’s Bay for a laid‑back beach shack lunch—grilled snapper, accras, ice‑cold Carib beers. Optional: drive over to Anse Marcel for a protected cove with gentle water and an upscale beach club scene.

Evening: Book Le Pressoir in Grand Case, a lovingly restored rum house. Start with a guided rum tasting (ask about Agricole styles), then move to dinner—lobster bisque, duck magret, and a signature vanilla‑guavaberry dessert.

Day 7 — Easy Morning and Departure

Morning: Slow coffee on Grand Case Beach—watch the skiffs glide in. Take a last swim or short paddle, then pick up edible souvenirs (spiced rums, local hot sauces).

Afternoon: Taxi to SXM (30–40 minutes allowing for traffic) for your flight via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have time, stop in Marigot for a final pastry and harbor view before you go.

In one week, you’ve tasted French‑Creole cuisine, sailed to turtle‑rich islets, and found your favorite strand of sand. Saint Martin’s French side lingers—between a rum‑sweet breeze and that promise you made at sunset to come back.