St. Pierre & Rum Distillery

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Savor the flavor of Martinique on this delightful half-day tour that introduces you to some of the city's most popular attractions and includes a visit to a renowned rum distillery for a tasting.

Board an air-conditioned transportation for the scenic drive along beautiful Fleming Bay en route to Sacré-Coeur de la Balata. You'll want to have your camera out to capture this graceful house of worship, built in 1925 as a miniature version of the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre in Paris. Just as its Parisian big sister is situated at the city's highest point, Balata is similarly situated on a spectacular summit, surrounded by a tropical forest. It's impossible not to capture a stunning picture with views like this!

Continue your drive along the picturesque Route de la Trace, which runs north from Fort-de-France, through the lush ferns and stately bamboo of the island's interior rainforest, before arriving at Mount Pelée. This historic road traces a path first carved by the Jesuits in the 1600s; islanders reportedly said the Jesuits' fondness for rum explains the road's twisty route! Majestic Mount Pelée is the volcano responsible for a sudden eruption and the resulting devastation in the nearby city of Saint-Pierre in 1902. Today, the volcano is in a quiet phase, and you'll even see hikers making their way up to the summit to take in the dramatic views. At the foot of the volcano, you'll disembark at Depaz Distillery where you'll get a tour of the facility and taste its rhum (French for "rum") agricole. Made from fresh, rare, blue cane, which is unique to the region, Depaz's rum has been made here since 1651.
Your tour continues with a visit to Saint-Pierre, the historic village that perished in the massive 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée. Explore the town and learn the incredible story of the only survivor among 30,000 residents – a prisoner who was locked away in an underground cell. You'll enjoy perusing the Museum of Volcanology, created in 1932 by American adventurer and volcanologist Frank Perret. Here you'll find fascinating exhibits and photographs of the town of Saint-Pierre before and immediately after the volcano's eruption. Additional displays of artifacts exhumed from the ashes can be seen; of particular note is an old bell from the local cathedral that was broken and distressed from the heat. The museum is on the site of a hillside gun battery and affords views of the harbor and city below.

As you relax on your ride back to port, you'll be treated to views of a series of small local villages, including Bellefontaine, Case-Pilote, Schoelcher and Le Carbet, which is noted for its proximity to the spot where Christopher Columbus landed in 1502. A charming church dating back to 1645 is the focal point of this small fishing town, once home to artist Paul Gauguin.
Return to port with a camera full of memories and wonderful stories to share with your friends back home.

Special Notes:

Tour sequence may vary.

Child Price:

12 & under reduced

Medical Restriction:

Unsuitable for guests suffering of vertigo