Hugging the east coast of Martinique, Le François is a coastal town and commune with several offshore islands. It was here that George Bush and François Mitterrand met in 1991 to discuss the relationship between the United States and France. Today, Le François is a laid-back setting for exploring the island’s mountainous interior and blissful coastline.
Things to do in Le François
Enjoy a stroll around the Port de Pêche, where you can watch the fishing boats coming and going. It’s also the departure point for boat excursions around the island, with hidden coves and coral reefs to discover. Directly across the Baie du François is Ilet Lavigne and the red-and-white-striped Phare Baie du François.
A short drive south of Le François is Habitation Clement, a former sugar cane plantation now occupied by a rum distillery. After its founding in 1887 by Homere Clement, the distillery quickly garnered an international reputation and remains a sought-after rum today. You can learn about the process of distilling rum at the interpretation centre and browse the artwork displayed in the contemporary gallery.
For elevated views across Le François, drive to the Point de Vue de Bois-Soldat, which offers magnificent sunrises over the Caribbean Sea. You can see all the way across the Baie du François and Ilet Lavigne, as well as Ilet Metrente to the east. If you continue driving south, you’ll arrive at the Le Jardin de la Montagne, which is planted with species native to Martinique.
Getting around Le François
Le François is around 40 minutes’ drive from Fort-de-France and 30 minutes from Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Regular buses connect to Le François and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot.