Sainte-Anne Market
Located on the seafront, in the heart of the town of Sainte-Anne on Grande-Terre, this market stands out for its lively atmosphere and varied offerings. Taking advantage of its immediate proximity to the beaches, it plays an important role in local life, attracting both residents and travelers in search of fresh produce, crafts, and authentic Caribbean flavors.
Why visit the Sainte-Anne Market?
The Sainte-Anne Market has been around for several decades, growing alongside the development of the town as a popular beach destination. What began as a few modest stalls has gradually expanded to host between 20 and 40 vendors, depending on the season. Over the years, the municipality has added covered areas, improved lighting, and encouraged a wide variety of sellers. Its location near the Sainte-Anne beach—one of the island’s most loved for its white sand and 27°C water—makes it easy for visitors to combine beach relaxation with culinary exploration.
The market stretches through a pedestrian-friendly area close to the waterfront. You’ll find tropical fruits such as Victoria pineapples, bananas, mangoes, and papayas, generally sold for €2 to €5 per kilo, depending on variety and season. Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and Bondamanjak chili peppers) are sold in 50 to 100 g sachets priced between €1 and €3. Local rum infusions (vanilla, ginger, passion fruit), with alcohol content around 40%, are a big hit, typically sold in 50 cl bottles for €8 to €15.
Artisans offer handmade basketry—baskets, hats, placemats—woven from local plant fibers. You'll also find seed jewelry, colorful madras textiles, shea butter or coconut oil soaps, spicy sauces, and homemade jams (guava, pineapple, passion fruit). Expect to pay €5 to €20 for a quality artisanal piece. Fresh fish like mahi-mahi or snapper arrives early, around 7:00 AM, and is usually sold at €8 to €12 per kilo.
Practical tips for visitors
The market is open daily, with peak activity between 6:00 AM and 1:00 PM, ideal for buying fresh produce. In the afternoon, some stalls—especially those selling crafts and souvenirs—remain open. Arriving early gives you more choice and the chance to chat with the vendors in a relaxed atmosphere. The currency is the euro, and most transactions are in cash. Bringing €5 or €10 bills and coins is helpful for smoother transactions, even though bargaining is minimal.
There’s a public parking lot just a few dozen meters away. Public transport via the Karu’lis bus network serves Sainte-Anne, but a personal or rental car remains the most convenient option. Tourists without a car can still enjoy a full day by combining a visit to the market, a beach break, and lunch at one of the nearby seaside restaurants. A reusable shopping bag is recommended to carry your purchases while avoiding plastic.
Best times to visit
Weekends and market days (usually daily, but livelier on Saturday and Sunday mornings) attract larger crowds and create a festive, bustling atmosphere. On Saturdays, there are often 30% more stalls, with over 300 visitors per hour in the morning.
During the holiday season, the market features seasonal specialties like spices for Christmas ham, coconut punch, and traditional Creole cakes—making it a favorite spot for prepping a festive Caribbean meal.
In the low tourist season (June to November), foot traffic decreases, but tropical fruit variety remains rich (mangoes, avocados, passion fruits), thanks to higher rainfall (up to 1,500 mm/year on Grande-Terre). Regulars enjoy the calmer atmosphere. In high season (December to May), the market is more animated due to the influx of tourists.
FAQ
Why visit the Sainte-Anne Market? It’s a great way to discover local products—fruits, spices, rums, jams—appreciate local crafts (basketry, madras fabric, seed jewelry), and meet producers, all just steps from the beach.
What products or stalls shouldn’t be missed? Be sure to sample the infused rums and artisan jams (guava, passion fruit), smell the fresh spices, watch basket weavers in action, and perhaps pick up a woven hat or a handcrafted Creole kitchen knife.