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Fort-de-France

Even if you've come to Martinique for the beaches, you'll be very glad to spend a day in vibrant Fort-de-France, the island's capital and by far the biggest city in the French West Indies. A popular destination for cruise ships, international yachties and French tourists, the bustling centre has everything from tranquil parks and a tiny beach to colourful local markets and worthwhile restaurants, its lively streets contrasting starkly with the rest of often sleepy Martinique.

The obvious attraction is Fort St-Louis, from which the city takes it name. The capital is also a superb shopping destination and the best place to source local souvenirs.

Explore Fort-de-France

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Fort St-Louis
The hulking fortress that gave the city its name lies on the far side of La Savane and dates from 1640, although most of what stands today is the result…
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Bibliothèque Schoelcher
Fort-de-France’s most visible landmark, the Bibliothèque Schoelcher is an elaborate, colorful building with a Byzantine dome and an interesting ornate…
S
Statue of Empress Josephine
This statue of Empress Josephine holding a locket with a portrait of Napoléon in it stands in La Savane. In the 1990s the head was lopped off and red…
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La Savane
This rectangular park at the heart of Fort-de-France was created when a mangrove swamp was drained after the city became the capital. As well as a…
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Cathédrale St-Louis
With its neo-Byzantine style, flying buttresses and 57m steeple, the newly renovated and eye-pleasingly symmetrical Cathédrale St-Louis is one of Fort-de…
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Plage La Française
This tiny but clean beach in front of the Fort St-Louis is a popular place to cool off right in the middle of Fort-de-France. Nearby is a playground…
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Marché des Fermiers
This bustling market where local farmers hawk fruits and vegetables runs along the western side of the Parc Culturel Aimé Césaire and spills into the…
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Musée d'Archéologie Précolombienne et de Préhistoire de la Martinique
For displays of Native American Carib artefacts, including stone tools, ritual objects and pottery, head to this small but lovingly looked-after…
M
Marché aux Poissons
At the far end of Blvd du Général de Gaulle, this colorful and atmospheric place is best visited in the morning for the day’s fresh catch.

F
Fort St-Louis
The hulking fortress that gave the city its name lies on the far side of La Savane and dates from 1640, although most of what stands today is the result…
B
Bibliothèque Schoelcher
Fort-de-France’s most visible landmark, the Bibliothèque Schoelcher is an elaborate, colorful building with a Byzantine dome and an interesting ornate…
S
Statue of Empress Josephine
This statue of Empress Josephine holding a locket with a portrait of Napoléon in it stands in La Savane. In the 1990s the head was lopped off and red…
L
La Savane
This rectangular park at the heart of Fort-de-France was created when a mangrove swamp was drained after the city became the capital. As well as a…
C
Cathédrale St-Louis
With its neo-Byzantine style, flying buttresses and 57m steeple, the newly renovated and eye-pleasingly symmetrical Cathédrale St-Louis is one of Fort-de…
P
Plage La Française
This tiny but clean beach in front of the Fort St-Louis is a popular place to cool off right in the middle of Fort-de-France. Nearby is a playground…
M
Marché des Fermiers
This bustling market where local farmers hawk fruits and vegetables runs along the western side of the Parc Culturel Aimé Césaire and spills into the…
M
Musée d'Archéologie Précolombienne et de Préhistoire de la Martinique
For displays of Native American Carib artefacts, including stone tools, ritual objects and pottery, head to this small but lovingly looked-after…
M
Marché aux Poissons
At the far end of Blvd du Général de Gaulle, this colorful and atmospheric place is best visited in the morning for the day’s fresh catch.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Fort-de-France.

See
Fort St-Louis
The hulking fortress that gave the city its name lies on the far side of La Savane and dates from 1640, although most of what stands today is the result…
See
Bibliothèque Schoelcher
Fort-de-France’s most visible landmark, the Bibliothèque Schoelcher is an elaborate, colorful building with a Byzantine dome and an interesting ornate…
See
Statue of Empress Josephine
This statue of Empress Josephine holding a locket with a portrait of Napoléon in it stands in La Savane. In the 1990s the head was lopped off and red…
See
La Savane
This rectangular park at the heart of Fort-de-France was created when a mangrove swamp was drained after the city became the capital. As well as a…
See
Cathédrale St-Louis
With its neo-Byzantine style, flying buttresses and 57m steeple, the newly renovated and eye-pleasingly symmetrical Cathédrale St-Louis is one of Fort-de…
See
Plage La Française
This tiny but clean beach in front of the Fort St-Louis is a popular place to cool off right in the middle of Fort-de-France. Nearby is a playground…
See
Marché des Fermiers
This bustling market where local farmers hawk fruits and vegetables runs along the western side of the Parc Culturel Aimé Césaire and spills into the…
See
Musée d'Archéologie Précolombienne et de Préhistoire de la Martinique
For displays of Native American Carib artefacts, including stone tools, ritual objects and pottery, head to this small but lovingly looked-after…
See
Marché aux Poissons
At the far end of Blvd du Général de Gaulle, this colorful and atmospheric place is best visited in the morning for the day’s fresh catch.

Guidebooks

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