Fort Saint-Louis

Fort-de-France

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Home Caribbean Martinique Fort-de-France Do & SeeFort Saint-Louis

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.

Information

address29 Rue Victor Hugo, Fort-de-France
phone+596 596 80 00 70

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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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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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Sainte-Anne

Sainte-Anne, Martinique's southernmost village, is one of the island's prettiest towns. It is often frequented by visitors for its shops and restaurants, as well as its great crafts market, but the biggest draw to the area are the wonderful beaches, like the idyllic Les Salines, just a short distance away.

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Le Carbet

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Diamond Rock

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Caravelle Peninsula

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Ajoupa-Bouillon

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Les Salines

With one kilometer of soft, warm sand, clear, tranquil water, and idyllic coconut palms lining the whole area, Les Salines is one of the most popular beaches in Martinique. Families tend to crowd it a bit on weekends, but during the week it tends to be less hectic.

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Pointe Du Bout

Directly across the city of Fort-de-France, on the other side of the bay of the same name, lies Pointe Du Bout, Martinique's most popular resort area. The streets are lined with quaint boutiques, breezy cafés, and great restaurants, prompting many to hop on the regular ferries departing from the Fort-de-France Marina in search of entertainment, shopping, and fun in the sun.

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Anse Cafard Slave Memorial

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