Learn French in Martinique

Karte von Martinique vor startendem Flugzeug

If you want to learn French during a language study trip and are therefore planning a language study trip, you should definitely consider Martinique. The island is located in the Caribbean and is part of the Lesser Antilles. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, Martinique has always been a popular destination for tourists and, for some time now, for language students from all over the world. The island combines Europe and the Caribbean in a small area in a diverse way. With its white dream beaches, gently swaying palm trees and impressive volcanoes, Martinique is definitely the place to go for a language study trip full of relaxation, adventure and experiences.

Martinique is currently inhabited by around 380,000 people and covers an area of 1,100 square kilometers. A typical feature of this island is its mountains, which are very impressive for the Caribbean; the highest of them rises 1,397 meters above sea level.

What sets Martinique apart from its neighboring islands is above all its wealth. Numerous immigrant French and former black slaves live in peaceful harmony on the island.

Sprachschülerin auf einem abenteuerlichen Trekking in Martinique
Language student on an adventurous trek in Martinique

Country, city and regions

The island is divided into four arrondissements and 34 municipalities. The largest town and also the capital of Martinique is Fort-de-France. The city is centrally located on the western coast of the island. The capital offers many attractions and combines the modern with the rustic. Worth seeing are the many monuments from the colonial era, such as the cathedral, the library and the town hall. Exotic parks invite you to relax and unwind in these green spaces. The capital offers many exciting shopping opportunities, top restaurants and nightlife options,

Wunderschöner Strandabschnitt bei St. Marie, Martinique
Beautiful stretch of beach near St. Marie, Martinique

Entertainment can also be found in the numerous tourist resorts. These are mainly located on the southern part of Martinique along the coast. There you can relax on the sandy beach during the day and in the evening there are numerous bars, clubs and a number of restaurants.

Those who prefer to take it easy and relax between lessons can also discover the beautiful tropical landscape of Martinique. The many volcanoes, the rainforest and the dream beaches are perfect for this. Two thirds of the country has been declared a nature park and is therefore protected. The northern part of the island in particular, where the rainy seasons are longer, is home to lush, diverse and impressive vegetation. The Ville des Fleures (City of Flowers) called Ajoupa-Bouillon impresses with its splendor of flowers. The Creole gardens high above the Atlantic Ocean in Le Marigot are also worth a day trip during your language study trip to Martinique.

Mit einem Boot oder einer Jacht kommst du schnell an abgelegene Strände und Korallenriffe
You can quickly reach remote beaches and coral reefs by boat or yacht

Other popular activities during a language study trip to Martinique include hiking, horse riding, diving, snorkeling, water bobbing, boat tours and soaking up the sun on the miles of beautiful beaches that surround the island. A visit to the banana museum in the middle of a banana plantation or the Musée de Rhum in St. James is also exciting. The folk museum also offers an exciting insight into life on the Caribbean island in the past.

Itinerary

Martinique is almost 7,000 kilometers away from Switzerland. The best way to travel is therefore of course by plane. Depending on the season, the cost is around CHF 1,500, but can vary greatly depending on the season, flight route and booking deadline. There are no non-stop flights available from Zurich to Fort-de-France. The route is therefore usually via Paris. This means you need to allow one day for the outward journey and one day for the return journey. You should therefore have at least three weeks for a language study trip to Martinique, otherwise other destinations such as France, Monaco or western Switzerland are recommended for a successful short language study trip.

Ein Strandcafé in Martinique
You can do your homework in the comfort of a beach café

Weather and climate

Martinique has a tropical climate. During the months of January and February, temperatures are around 28 to 29 degrees, while in July and August the thermometer climbs to an average of 31 degrees. This means that temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year. Warm temperatures are therefore guaranteed during your language study trip to Martinique! Nevertheless, there is a dry season and a rainy season each year. From the beginning of June to the end of November, there is a lot of rain, especially in the northern part of the island, which results in high humidity. It remains dry between December and May.

Would you like to beat the Swiss winter at a bargain? The best time for a language study trip to Martinique is between January and May.

Language schools

The largest language school in Martinique is located in Fort-de-France. The school offers various course models. For example, language students can book group courses of 20 lessons per week or intensive group courses of 26 lessons per week. Private lessons or a combination of private and group lessons are also possible. Also good to know: Some language schools in Martinique offer language courses for water lovers and sports enthusiasts, such as a combination of French courses and scuba diving; take lessons in the morning and dive into the impressive underwater world of the Caribbean in the afternoon.

Die Hauptstadt Fort-de-France
The capital Fort-de-France - where most of the language schools are located

When choosing the type of course, you should get an overview and then choose the course that best suits your personal needs. If you want a lot of free time and would like to have enough time to explore Martinique, you will almost certainly be satisfied with the standard course of 20 lessons per week. However, if you want to achieve a lot linguistically and make good progress, you should attend an intensive course and take optional private lessons.

Entry

As Martinique belongs to France, the island is also part of the European Union. Swiss nationals therefore only need a valid passport or identity card. So there's not much standing in the way of a longer language study trip.

What you should bear in mind: as in Switzerland, you must always carry an identity card for identification purposes in Martinique.

Security

Martinique is considered to be very safe. The island is therefore ideal for a language study trip. However, you should be careful not to be tricked or robbed - there are also some pickpockets on Martinique. It is recommended not to carry large amounts of cash with you and to stow wallets and smartphones well.

No vaccinations are required.

Romantische Bucht in Martinique im SonnenuntergangRomantic bay in Martinique at sunset

Costs

The cost of a language study trip to Martinique varies depending on the course. For the group course of 20 lessons over four weeks, you should expect to pay around CHF 1,500. This does not include the costs for the outward and return journey, school materials, meals and accommodation as well as leisure activities. For the four-week combined course with diving, you will pay around CHF 2,300. An intensive course of 26 lessons over four weeks costs around CHF 1,800. The costs for combined courses with private lessons are around CHF 3,000. Private lessons alone cost considerably more. Depending on the number of lessons, you can expect to pay up to 6,000 francs for four weeks.

It is important to compare the various offers at your leisure.

Overview of providers of French language courses