Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique

The resort town of Les Trois-Îlets sits on Le Diamant Peninsula. With gorgeous views of the capital and the Mont Pelee volcano across the waters of Fort-de-France Bay, this port offers easy access to southern Martinique’s gorgeous beaches. Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, Josephine, was born here and her family’s former sugar estate and gardens are now the Pagerie Museum. The museum Maison de la Canne, set in an old distillery, offers insights into the economy of sugar, while the Savannah of Slaves, an open-air museum and park, highlights the human impact. A pottery village and brickworks, dating to the 18th century, features ateliers and gift shops. But modern Les Trois-Ilets is best known for simple outdoor pleasures, like the traditional covered market, golf, and swimming and watersports at the bay-side beach of Anse Mitan and the marina at Pointe du Bout, also a hub for cafes and boutiques. Nearby beaches include the calm waters of L’Anse a L’Ane, the popular Grande Anse d’Arlet, and the black-sand Anse Noir.