La Maison de L'Ilet Oscar

Frommer's Review

Inside an antique Creole house, this establishment lies on a nearly adjacent island off the southeast coast of Martinique; you access it by motorboat from the marina at Le François. If you make advance reservations, you'll be taken on a 12-minute boat ride to the island, stopping at an emerald-colored tidal pool where legend says that Joséphine, wife of Napoleon I, once went swimming. You'll then head to the island's only dwelling, a one-story wood-sided house that was originally built in 1898 on nearby Ilet Thierry, and disassembled and floated, beam by beam, across to Ilet Oscar and reassembled there in 1935. Menu items focus on Creole specialties like an all-fish menu, an all-shrimp menu, or an all-lobster menu, but if you desire food inspired by the traditions of mainland France, Brittany-born Jean-Louis de Lussy and his staff will whip you up avocados stuffed with crayfish, magret of duckling, or whatever else happens to be in the larder. If you want to overnight, the four bedrooms (all with shower, toilet, and double sinks) rent for 140€ ($196) per person, with half-board included. None has TV, phone, or air-conditioning.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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