The geography of contrast

The French side (Saint-Martin) occupies about 53 km² and is a concentration of European elegance and tropical 'dolce vita'. Here, nature is proudly protected: the Réserve Naturelle Nationale preserves thousands of hectares of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. For those seeking a panoramic view stretching as far as the islands of Anguilla and Saint-Barth, the Pic Paradis is a must-see. At 424 metres high, it is the highest point on the island; at its foot is the Loterie Farm, an old sugar plantation transformed into an ecotourism sanctuary, where you can zipline between centuries-old trees or relax in natural pools surrounded by tropical forest. The beaches are the real stars. If Orient Bay is considered the 'Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean' for its beach clubs and cosmopolitan vibrancy, there are corners of absolute solitude such as Baie Longue or Baie aux Prunes, where golden sand meets crystal-clear waters in a silence broken only by the waves.