Marigot is the capital of the French Collectivity of Saint-Martin, a small harbour town on a west-facing bay with the island of Anguilla lying long and low on the horizon. Its name comes from the marshes that once surrounded it. It became the French capital in the 18th century, and Fort Louis was built on the hill above to protect its warehouses of sugar, salt and rum.
It is a very different place from Philipsburg: more lived-in, a little scruffier, and unmistakably French, with bakeries, pavement cafés, boutiques selling French fashion and a covered market on the waterfront. It suffered badly in Hurricane Irma and parts of it, especially around the old marina, are still recovering, but the essentials are intact: the market, the view, the lunch.
Top things to do: Marigot & Fort Louis
Climb to Fort Louis
The fort was built in 1789 on the orders of the governor, Jean Sébastien de Durat, and later fell into ruin. A stepped path leads up from the town in about ten minutes — or you can drive most of the way. What you find is a set of restored walls, a few cannons and a French flag, and the best view on the French side: the whole of Marigot, the lagoon, the Terres Basses peninsula and Anguilla. Entry is free. Go early or late; there is no shade.
Browse the waterfront market
The open-air market on the harbourfront has two parts. Craft and souvenir stalls — spices, flavoured rums, madras cloth, straw hats, paintings — open most days. The food market, with fruit, vegetables and fish landed that morning, is at its best on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Around it, a row of simple Creole eateries serves stewed conch, accras and grilled fish at lunchtime.
Have breakfast like the French
A café crème and a croissant or pain au chocolat at one of the bakeries near the waterfront is a Marigot ritual, and the baguette sandwiches make a good picnic for the beach.
Shop the Rue de la République and Rue du Général de Gaulle
The two main streets have balconied Creole town houses with boutiques on the ground floor: French labels, perfume, swimwear and jewellery, generally priced in euros.
Take the ferry to Anguilla
The public ferry to Blowing Point on Anguilla leaves from the terminal on the waterfront throughout the day and takes about 25 minutes. Bring your passport.
How to get to Marigot & Fort Louis
- From Philipsburg / the cruise port: 25–35 minutes by taxi, or cheaply by minibus from Back Street. The road crosses the border at Bellevue, where a monument marks the line.
- From Simpson Bay / the airport: about 15 minutes via the causeway or the Cole Bay road.
- From Grand Case: 10–15 minutes.
- Parking: a large car park on the waterfront beside the market; side streets are tight.
Insider tips
- Most shops close for a long lunch and all day Sunday. Mornings are the time to come.
- The euro is the currency, but dollars are widely accepted. Check the exchange rate a shop is using before you pay in dollars.
- The sockets on the French side are European 220-volt, unlike the American 110-volt sockets on the Dutch side.
- Cruise passengers on a half-day tour usually get 45–60 minutes here — enough for the market and a coffee, not for the fort. If the fort matters to you, come independently.
Best tours for Marigot & Fort Louis
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Marigot & Fort Louis:
Island tour from US$53 St. Maarten Half-Day Tour of the French & Dutch Sides
The classic first-timer loop and one of the most-reviewed Sint Maarten tours on GetYourGuide: around the island by bus with a guide, across the open border to Marigot and Grand Case and back via the airport beach.
- Both countries in one loop
- Shopping time in Marigot and beach time at Grand Case
- A stop for the planes at Maho Beach
Private tour from US$189 Private Customizable Island Tour
A private tour shaped around what you want: both sides of the island, beaches, markets and viewpoints, with a local guide who knows where the prices are fair.
- Your own guide
- French and Dutch sides
- Stops chosen around your interests
Catamaran day trip from US$125 Catamaran Snorkel Cruise with Open Bar and Lunch
The sociable version of a day at sea: a catamaran day trip around Saint-Martin with an open bar, stops for snorkelling and swimming and a barbecue lunch.
- Open bar, music and snacks on board
- Snorkel and swim stops
- BBQ lunch included
