Not to miss

Marigot

St Martin is less developed than Dutch Sint Maarten, and this is reflected in its capital, the prettily named Marigot. Like its Dutch counterpart, it's a duty-free paradise, chock-full of chic perfume, jewellery and fashion shops, but fortunately has fewer of the cruise ship daytrippers.

Even so, the town is starting to lose some of its historic West Indian buildings to modern structures and car parks geared to the tourist trade. The town boasts two commercial centres. One, around the harbourfront, has a public market, and is where boats to St Barts and Anguilla dock.

The other centre encompasses the Port La Royale Marina, which is surrounded by a cluster of restaurants and boutiques that spill out onto bustling Rue du Général de Gaulle. Although at first glance Marigot, with all its boutiques and cafés, seems très French, it also has a rich Caribbean side that becomes more apparent the further away from the harbour you go.

Fort Louis (also called Fort de Marigot) was built in 1789. Today it consists of little more than some partially intact stone walls and a couple of cannons, but its hilltop locale offers fine views. St Martin Archaeological Museum focuses on the Arawak Period.

Oyster Pond

For a bi-cultural experience, taste the water at Oyster Pond. This bay, unsurprisingly oyster-like in shape, straddles both French and Dutch territory on the east side of the island. The French half of the bay is home to most of the accommodation as well as a marina.

The Dutch side, however, boasts the best beach, Dawn Beach, which is easily accessible but that does require a certain level of willpower to leave. For a good vantage of the Pond, take the short path leading up the cactus-studded hill on the northeast (French) side of the bay.

Colombier

For St Martin's version of a country drive, take the road that leads inland to the hamlet of Colombier. This short, pleasant trip offers a glimpse of a lifestyle that has long disappeared elsewhere on the island. The scenery along the way is bucolic, with stone fences, big mango trees, an old coconut-palm plantation and hillside pastures with grazing cattle.

Fort Louis

Fort Louis, also called Fort de Marigot, was built in 1789 to protect Marigot's warehouses from the frequent raids being staged by British privateers based on nearby Anguilla. Today not much remains of Fort Louis other than some partially intact stone walls and a couple of cannons, but the hilltop locale offers a fine view of Marigot and Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Butterfly Farm

The farm's mesh-encased outdoor museum is as practical as it is magical. Learn about chrysalis stages, watch how cocoons form, or just giggle as butterflies, drunk on nectar, flit around giant plants and a forested canopy. You can visit as often as you like on one ticket.