Fort‑de‑France Travel Guide – Martinique’s Capital of Culture

Discover Fort-de-France 's Wonders

Fort‑de‑France is the vibrant heart of Martinique, offering a lively fusion of colonial history, French urban style, and Caribbean rhythm. Stroll along the Savane Park, tour the impressive Fort Saint-Louis, and browse local boutiques in a bustling market setting. This city is also the gateway to lush rainforests and mountain trails. With its buzzing café culture and cultural events, Fort‑de‑France combines convenience, heritage, and island vitality—making it the ideal place to stay and soak up Martinique’s energy.

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Trips

Hotels

Activities

Transfers

Description

Fort-de-France is finally living up to its potential and becoming the up-and-coming city many knew it could be. There has always been plenty there to exploit, from the "One of the World's Most Beautiful Bays" (an honor recently bestowed upon the Fort-de-France Bay) to the historical landmarks dating back to the early days of colonization, to the eclectic and sophisticated Creole cuisine, to the incomparable natural beauty of the surrounding area. The city has been called "The Paris of the Caribbean," and though this may be a bit of an exaggeration, there are solid reasons for the comparison. Recent development projects are finally coming to fruition, renewing the central park of La Savane and the wonderful beachside promenade, and more projects are planned for the future which will surely make Fort-de-France one of the most appealing, walkable, beautiful and cosmopolitan cities in the Caribbean. Also take the chance to explore the surrounding areas, climb Mount Pelée, visit natural reserves and revel at some of the island's dream-like beaches.

Useful information

Population:

74,219 (2023)

Currency:

Euro, €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Info:

Fire: 18
Police: 17
Ambulance: 15

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.

Do & See

Ajoupa-Bouillon

Ajoupa-Bouillon, located at the foot of Mount Pelée, is an area renowned for its natural beauty, featuring lush tropical landscapes. There are hiking trails leading through the forest, along ravines, and past waterfalls. The Ajoupa Gardens also display an abundance of colorful flowers and plants.

Anse Cafard Slave Memorial

The shores of Le Diamant are home to one of the Caribbean's most impressive and sobering memorials to the region's history of slavery. The 20 beautiful statues face out towards the water with their heads bowed down, in honor of the 20 victims of a slave ship sinking that took place in 1835.

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.

Caravelle Peninsula

Caravelle Peninsula is a narrow strip of land that shoots out into the Caribbean waters from the east coast of Martinique. It is protected as a nature reserve and thus wonderfully unspoiled. It is home to a large number of animal and plant species, making it a fascinating place for a hike.

Diamond Rock

Lying some 3 kilometers off the southern coast of Martinique, Diamond Rock is an imposing 175-meter-high rocky island, once claimed by the British as a ship (the HMS Diamond Rock), before being reclaimed by the French. Today, it is known as one of the island's best dive spots.

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.

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.

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.

Dining

Chez Carole

Chez Carole is a Fort-de-France institution, a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The colorful setting and kitchen, the small but cozy dining area, the internationally famous hospitality of the restaurant's eponymous owner, and most importantly, the top-notch Creole cuisine bring many to dine at the modest place located in the Grand Marche Couvert.

La Tavola Italiana

La Tavola Italiana may not look like much from the outside, but venture into the bright interior with its checkered-tile floor and colorful walls and let yourself be impressed by the high-quality Italian cuisine. The best dishes are those that include seafood, and it would be a mistake not to try a dessert.

Le Petit Tonneau

An authentic Portuguese restaurant in the middle of Fort-de-France, Le Petit Tonneau offers a great alternative to Caribbean food which includes escargots, frog legs, duck, steak, cod, and more.

Nuevo Mejico Mojito Bar

Nuevo Mejico is a prime exponent of Tex-Mex cuisine, offering all the staples you would expect, from tacos and burritos to quesadillas, fajitas, chimichangas and enchiladas. The menu even includes other dishes, such as pasta, so there is no shortage of options.

The Yellow

The Yellow comes highly recommended by many in the tourism industry on Martinique for its fantastic typical cuisine, consisting largely of fish, rice, vegetables, and mashed plantains, as well as seafood specialties, like fish chowder, and other options, such as duck or steak.

Cafés

Bars & Nightlife

Casino Batelière Plazza

If you're feeling lucky, test your skills at poker or the whim of fortune on roulette and try to earn back some of your vacation expenses. Casino Batelière Plazza is the island's premier casino, which besides the usual games also hosts live musical performances and other events.

Garage Popular

Simple fare and affordable drinks are the norm at Garage Popular, a simple but often crowded car-themed restaurant and pub in downtown Fort-de-France. They often host special events, like karaoke nights and themed parties, and screen big sporting events, mainly football.

Hotel Bakoua

Hotel Bakoua, across the bay from Fort-de-France, offers different forms of nighttime entertainment, including occasional live jazz and even swimsuit fashion shows. The hotel has several dining and nightlife venues, including the Coco Bar, a beach bungalow on stilts over the water.

Le Grand Ballet de Martinique

Le Grand Ballet de Martinique is a troupe of about thirty dancers, musicians, singers, and choreographers who put on spectacular displays of the traditional music and dances of Martinique. They regularly tour the island, hitting theatres, hotels, and other venues, so check their website to see where they will be during your visit.

Tropiques Atrium Scène Nationale

Tropiques Atrium Scène Nationale de Martinique is the island's foremost cultural institution, regularly putting on concerts, plays, workshops, exhibitions, and other artistic and cultural events. Check the website to find out what's on the program during your visit.

Wahoo Cafe

Martinique's quintessential beach bar, with a dream location by the sea facing the sunset, Wahoo Bar has swagger, attitude, and personality to spare. It boasts an effortlessly cool and laid-back vibe where crowds gather to drink, dance, and groove to the frequent live music.

Shopping

Bijouterie Pascal de Rogatis

Bijouterie Pascal de Rogatis has taken pride in celebrating Creole culture and tradition through the creation of jewelry since 1946. Rings, earrings, necklaces, and more, all reflecting the traditional crafts of the island, are forged into unique and beautiful pieces.

Centre des Métiers d'Art

Perhaps the best gallery and souvenir shop on the whole island, the colorful and vibrant Centre des Métiers d'Art offers a wide variety of especially beautiful local handicrafts in the form of quilts, painted fabrics, baskets, shells, pottery, and more. Find gifts or mementos to take home with you and cherish for years to come.

Galerie Sophen

Located in the area of Trois Ilets, Galerie Sophen showcases original watercolor creations by artists Sophie and Henry. Each work of art is completely unique (they vow not to sell reproductions, but only original pieces) and depicts gentle island scenes ranging from sailboats to wildlife, all full of color and life, yet understated and beautiful in their simplicity.

Galeries Lafayette Martinique

The colossus of French department stores has a location near Fort-de-France, in La Galleria, which offers everything one might expect. Clothes, accessories, perfumes, bags, toys, shoes, jewelry, suitcases, you name it. Find everything you need in one easy location at Galeries Lafayette.

La Galleria

For more general shopping needs, you can visit La Galleria, a large and modern mall featuring dozens of clothing, shoe, jewelry, and perfume stores, as well as supermarket and casual dining options.

Marche aux Fruits & Legumes

The freshest, most succulent, and most affordable fruits and vegetables on the island can be found at the Marchá aux Fruits et Légumes in Fort-de-France. Come and wander among the stalls, marvel at the colors and aromas, and sample some of these tropical delights.

Market Hall Fort-de-France

The small and manageable Marché couvert de Fort-de-France has been in use since 1885, operating as the city's main marketplace, where Martiniquais purchase fresh produce, spices, rum, crafts, and souvenirs. The colorful stalls are especially lively in the early mornings, so it is worth getting up early to see them.

Parfums des Îles

Parfums des Îles is sleek, elegant, and modern, and is at the cutting edge of fragrance design and production. Products include soaps, sprays, oils, and of course, perfumes that not only have lovely smell but also evoke images and feelings of the island.

Tourist Information

Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF)

Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF) is located in Le Lamentin, a suburb of Fort-de-France. There are regular flights from many destinations in the Caribbean, as well as Miami, Paris, Montreal, and seasonally from Frankfurt, New York and Boston. As an overseas territory of France, EU immigration laws apply, so some visitors may need a Schengen Visa in order to visit. As for transportation, most large hotels offer complimentary shuttle services from the airport. Private shuttles and taxis can also be arranged.

Public Transport

The main form of public transport on Martinique consists of vans and large Mercedes-Benz cars known as "Taxis Collectifs" (marked 'TC'). They are an affordable and convenient way to get around the island, but they can often get crowded and don't follow a schedule (rarely running past 6pm). Many travelers prefer to rent a car during their stay. Rates are often low and the road infrastructure on the island is very good, making it an easy and convenient way to travel around Martinique.

Taxi

Taxis can be on the expensive side in Martinique, with a fare from the airport to Fort-de-France costing about €30. A 40% surcharge is added at night and on Sundays and holidays. A 15% tip is also expected. Madinina Taxi +596 596 70 40 10 Taxi Martinique Chauffeur & VTC Services +596 696 38 38 07

Electricity

Voltage: 220 V Frequency: 50 Hz Power sockets: type C / D / E

Ferry

There are daily ferry services, called "vedettes," between Fort-de-France and a few destinations on the island (Pointe du Bout, Anse-Mitan, Trois-Îlets, and Anse-à-l'Ane), each one taking about 20 minutes. They run from 6:20am to 6:30pm, departing about every 30 minutes. There are also a few international ferry services to nearby islands, like Dominica and St. Lucia a few times per week.

Pharmacy

Pharmacie du K'Nal 74 Boulevard Allègre, Fort-de-France +596 596 30 11 11 Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–7pm, Sat 7:30am–1:30pm, Sun closed www.pharmacieduknal.com

Post

Post Office (Office of Saint Teresa) Rue du Faubourg la Camille, Fort-de-France Mon & Tue 7am–5pm, Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 7am–noon, Wed, Thu & Sun closed

Telephone

Country code: +596 Area code: 596

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