Balata

Balata Review

This quiet little town has two sights worth visiting. Built in 1923 to commemorate those Martinicans who fought and died in World War I, Balata Church is an exact replica of Paris's Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

The Jardin de Balata has thousands of varieties of tropical flowers and plants. There are shaded benches from which to take in the mountain views and a plantation-style house furnished with period furniture. An aerial path gives visitors an astounding, bird's-eye view of the gardens and surrounding hills, from wooden walkways suspended 50 feet in the air. You can order anthuriums and other tropical flowers to be delivered to the airport from the habitation's mesmerizing flower boutique. Just 15 minutes from Fort-de-France, in the direction St-Pierre, this worthy site explains why Martinique is called the Island of Flowers. Rte. de Balata, Balata, 97234. 0596/64-48-73. www.jardindebalata.com. €12.50. Daily 9-5.