Saint-Martin belongs to northern islands of Guadeloupe archipelago : the island is shared into two different states : France and Holland. With 11 languages and dialects, Saint-Martin is considered as a welcome land
by its Caribbean neighbouring.
88 km2 of total surface ( 55km2 is French), makes it the littlest territory in the world shared into two states.

First inhabitants were Saladoïdes and Arawak Indian people. Arawaks were exterminated by another Indian tribe : Caraïbes. They also were killed by first European people arriving on the island, Christopher Columbus and his crew who discovered the island.

During corsairs and filibusters times, many european civilisations visited the island : Holland, Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, Flemishs who captured island inhabitants, using them as slaves or sending them on neighbouring islands. They fast disappeared because of bad treatments or pests.

In 1648, Spanish abandoned the island, which was inhabited only by 4 french and 5 dutch families. They decided to share the island and signed a treaty to establish the agreement and solve the sovereignty problem.

In 1776,they built the Saint-Louis Fort, on Marigot Bay, to protect the island of English attacks. Later, they tried to solve problem of territory delimitation between French and Dutch families. According to history, 2 runners of each nationality had to run and cover the biggest distance they can. The French one succeeded, and France obtained 2/3 of territory.

In 1816, Vienna treaty signature put an end to colonial fights, consoling French and Dutch predominance.
On french side, slavery is abolished in 1848 and in 1863 on dutch side. This decision will slow down commercial exchanges and stop sugar and cotton production.
This crises obliged many inhabitants to leave the island and moove to other Caribbean island to find a job.


During second World War, french side lives under Vichy Government and submits the blockade of Allies countries. This war will help the integration of American people on the island, USA become the first supply of
Saint-Martin. It’s also a favourable period for traffickers who will gain big fortunes. This economic unrest will last till 50ies. In 1955, thank to dutch impulsion, the island develops through tourism. From this time, Saint-Martin becomes one of the most important tourist islands of Caribbean.

Saint-Martin offers to its guests various activities. Each of you will get something out of it : many marvellous white-sand beaches with historic fortress and luxury boutiques in the main town Marigot, Saint Martin proposes a large variety of amusements for wonderful holidays.

Saint-Martin climate is tropical maritime. Temperature of the seas is from 27° on winter to 29° on summer.

Two main weather seasons, often without transitions:
- a dry season called « Carême », from December to May, when air is dryer and storms are frequent. Temperatures are generally very pleasant.
- a humid season called « hivernage », which lasts from July to October, with intense and frequent storms.

Hurricane season starts on July : because of its geographical position, in the northern part of caribbean archipelago, Saint-Martin is more exposed than other islands in the south.

There are 5 hours time lag with France during winter and 6 hours on summer.