Best Travel Guide Fort-de-France

Fort-de-FranceGuide was updated: 2025-07-07

With its unique mix of Creole culture and European cosmopolitanism, the French overseas territory of Martinique, and in particular its capital Fort-de-France, has just the right blend of tradition and sophistication. A fast-developing city boasting first-class shopping and dining as well as a bustling urban life. But the main draw to this Caribbean island remains its surrounding natural beauty made up of lush tropical rain forests, an active volcanic mountain, and picture-perfect beaches, which have captivated visitors for centuries.

Do & See

The picturesque seaside city of Fort-de-France offers plenty in the way of sights and attractions, including beautiful historical buildings, an imposing fort, and ample walkability, but it is best used as a home base for exploring the natural surroundings of the island of Martinique. Laze at idyllic beaches from coast to coast, hike up the commanding Mount Pelée and marvel at the lush, tropical beauty of the island. The more historically-minded can check out the Musée de la Pagerie or contemplate the solemn Anse Cafard Slave Memorial, a sobering reminder of the country's and region's tumultuous past.

Bibliothèque Schoelcher

Named after Victor Schoelcher, a leader in the fight to free slaves in the Caribbean during the 19th century, this beautiful public library is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Fort-de-France. It was first built in Paris for the 1889 World Exposition, then taken apart and shipped to Martinique to be reassembled as it is seen today.

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Fort Saint-Louis

The imposing Fort Saint-Louis, which towers 200 feet over a steep cliff offers some of the best views of both city and sea. The original construction dates back to 1640, but little of that remains, and what can be seen today is largely composed of later additions. Reopened in 2014, tours are now available in several languages.

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La Savane

La Savane is a vast and meticulously landscaped park with lots of trees, benches, and fountains, the heart of public life in Fort-de-France with shopping, dining, and entertainment options all around. Locals gather at the many cafés at all hours of the day, and visitors use it as a springboard from which to explore the surrounding sights.

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Jardin de Balata

The Jardin de Balata, situated slightly inland from Fort-de-France, is a lush, 3-hectare expanse of green that contains a beguiling range of flora, comprising over 3,000 different species. The grounds are carefully landscaped, tailored, and looked after, and the view from the suspended rope bridges is enchanting.

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Route de la Trace

The scenic stretch of highway N3 that runs from Fort-de-France all the way to Mount Pelée, better known as Route de la Trace, follows an old route carved out by the Jesuit missionaries of the 1600s, running through beautiful expanses of thick rainforest. Stunning hiking trails branch off from the main route should be thoroughly explored to get an idea of the wild natural beauty of Martinique.

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Mount Pelée

The imposing Mount Pelée towers over the island of Martinique with a menacing gaze. The volcano is going through a quiet phase, but it is still active, and as recently as 1902 had a violent eruption that destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre. Visitors today can hike up to the summit and marvel at the views on a clear day.

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Population:	74,219 (2023)
Currency:	Euro, €1 = 100 cents
Emergency Numbers:	Fire: 18 Police: 17 Ambulance: 15
Newspapers:	Caribbean News Now: thecaribbeannewsnow.com Journal France-Antilles Martinique : www.martinique.franceantilles.fr
Website:	www.martinique.org/en/inspirations/whole-island-explore/communes/fort-de-france »
Opening Hours:	Shops tend to open at about 9am and close between 4pm and 5pm, many of them closing for an hour or two at lunchtime. Restaurants usually open closer to noon, taking a break for a few hours in the afternoon, and then staying open until late, often 10pm or even midnight.
Tourist Information:	Office de Tourisme Centre Martinique 29 rue Victor Hugo, Fort-de-France +596 596 80 00 70 contact@tourisme-centre.fr www.tourismefdf.com Open Mon–Fri 8am–4pm, Sat 8am–1:30pm