Fort-de-France is the capital city of Martinique, an overseas territory and department of France. It is home to French naval base, Fort Saint Louis. The major identities of Fort-de-France include Fort Desaix, Jardin de Balata, Fort-de-France Cathedral and Fort Tartenson.

Geography of Fort-de-France:

Fort-de-France coordinates with 14°36′00″ N latitude and 61°05′00″ W longitude, is located on the west coast of the island at a maximum altitude of 1,070 meters. It covers a land area of 44.21 sq. km.

History of Fort-de-France:

Fort-de-France houses many historical structures of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Fort-de-France is the major one which was initially construed in 1638 to defend the city against the attacks of enemies but later it was destroyed by natural disaster and reconstructed in 1669. Fort-Royal and Fort-La-Republique were the two previous names of the fort.

Connectivity to Fort-de-France:

Fort-de-France is located around 10 km away from Martinique Aime Cesaire International Airport which is placed in Le Lamentin, one of the suburbs of Fort-de-France. MACIA is served by Corsair International, Air Caraibes, Air Antilles Express, Seaborne Airlines, American Airlines and many other international airlines with direct flights to Caracas, San Juan, Paris, Miami, Montreal, Cayenne and Barbados.

To move within the city and to reach the airport, tourists can use mopeds or cars or taxis. Fort-de-France has main port of the territory, served by many ferries and boats.

Food and Shopping in Fort-de-France:

The famous shops in Fort-de-France are as follows:

• Leader Price
• Rue Victor Hugo
• Spice Market
• La Galleri

The prominent food corners in Fort-de-France are listed here below:

• Bacchus Bar
• Garage Popular
• La Cave a Vin
• La tavola italiana

Things to do in Fort-de-France:

• Swimming
• Visiting Historical sites
• Hike to Cascade Didier

Tourist Attractions in Fort-de-France:

Fort Desaix:

Fort Desaix is one of four forts of Fort-de-France (the others being Fort Saint Louis, Fort Gerbault and Fort Tartenson) located on a Morne Garnier and was constructed between 1768 and 1772.  It was earlier known as Fort Bourbon.

Jardin de Balata:

Jardin de Balata is a must see attraction in Martinique, situated on Route de Balata, around 10 kms away from Fort-de-France. This 3 hectare striking botanical garden was established in 1982 by horticulturist Jean-Philippe Thoze and now it is home to around 3,000 kinds of tropical plants. An entrance fee is charged.

St. Louis Cathedral:

The St. Louis Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral, designed by Parisian Pierre-Henri Picq. The outer structure of the church is really a great treat to the eyes of the tourists.

Other places of interest in Fort-de-France include:

• Place de la Savane
• Schoelcher Library
• Sacré-Cœur de Balata Church
• La Savane
• Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport
• Le grand marché
• Dillon distillery
• Jardin de Balata
• Sacré-Coeur de Balata
• Cascade Absalon

Best time to visit Fort-de-France:

Probably the beginning months of the year will be the ideal time to travel Fort-de-France to explore beautiful beaches.

Accommodation options in Fort-de-France:

Fort-de-France is a picturesque city with plenty of natural attractions and historical monuments. It is also renowned for its world class hotels and most of the hotels are renovated recently to provide top hospitality services for the tourists. The major hotels in and around Fort-de-France are listed below:

• Carib Hotel
• Karibea Valmeniere Hotel
• Hotel La Bateliere
• Hotel l’Imperatrice
• Bayfront Hotel
• Karibea Squash Hotel
• Le Lafayette Hotel
• Engoulevent
• Victoria Hotel
• Centre International de Sejour Martinique
• Akena Foyatel
• Charming studio Fort de France
• Le Nid d’Amour
• Coote Plage
• TI’CASE
• Green Diamond

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Martinique is an island located in the Lower Antilles in Caribbean between 14°40′ N latitude and 61°00′ W longitude. It is one of the overseas territories of France, surrounded by Dominica in the north, St. Lucia in the south and Barbados towards southeast.

Martinique covers an area of 1,128 sq. kms and it is used Euro as its currency as it is the part of France and European Union. Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique.

Etymology and History of Martinique:

Martinique was visited by famous voyager Christopher Columbus on 15^th June 1502. It was earlier called by different names such as Jouanacaera-Matinino, Madinina, Madiana, Matinite, and finally Martinique which was derived from the nearby island Dominica (La Dominique).

As of archeological evidences, Arawaks were the original inhabitants of Martinique, followed by the Caribs (1200 CE). French took the control of Martinique on 15^th September 1635, led by Pierre Belain d’Esnambuc.

How to reach Martinique?

Martinique has only one airport, Martinique Aime Cesaire International Airport located in Le Lamentin of Fort-de-France (capital city). MACIA operates frequent flights from and to major North American cities such as Miami and Montreal and Paris in France and Barbados and Saint Lucia in Caribbean. The major air operators include American Airlines, Air France, Air Canada and LIAT.

Martinique is also connected with Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Lucia, Les Saintes and Marie Galante by regular ferry services.

Buses are frequent and taxis and cars are other choices to move within the island.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Martinique:

Martinique has a blended culture of France and Caribbean and Colombo is the famous cuisine and Antillean Creole is the native language of Martinique (French is official). The capital city Fort-de-France is an ideal site for both traditional and modern shopping.

Places of interest in Martinique:

Cathedral Saint-Louis:

Cathedral Saint-Louis was originally built in 1671, but it was damaged heavily by many natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes in later years. It was reconstructed with various specialties in 1890 and is still good in condition. Bibliotheque Schoelcher was the designer of the church.

Fort Saint-Louis:

Fort Saint-Louis is one of the major identities of Martinique, built during the rule of Louis XIII in Fort-de-France harbor. Presently it is site of French naval base and now tourists can see the museum at the place of a fortress and tourists are allowed to see fortress parts.

Sacre-Coeur de Balata:

Sacre-Coeur de Balata was established in 1925 on a cliff. This replication of the Montmartre Church of Paris is open for tourists from 8 AM to noon and 3 PM to 6 PM on all the days of the week.

Other places of interest in Martinique include:

• Cascade Absalon
• Jardin de Balata
• Dillon distillery
• Place de la Savane
• Le grand marche
• Bibliotheque Schoelcher
• Balata Gardens
• Clement House
• La Savane des Esclaves
• Anse Couleuvre
• Caravelle Peninsula
• Les Salines Beach
• Fonds Blancs
• Les Gorges de la Falaise
• Anse Trabaud

Best time to visit Martinique:

From January to June will be the best time to enjoy holidays in Martinique while the weather will be well supportive.

Accommodation options in Martinique:

Martinique houses numerous reputed accommodation centers ranging from budget options to top end resorts and hotels. Most of star hotels and resorts offer advance booking facility for tourists convenience. List of famous hotels and resorts in Martinique is as follows:

• Hotel Corail Residence
• Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek
• La Suite Villa
• Hotel La Pagerie
• Residence du Village Creole
• Le Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa
• Le Marouba
• Residence Oceane Hotel
• Le Domaine Saint Aubin
• Pierre & Vacances Sainte Luce Holiday Village
• Domaine de l’Anse Ramier
• Hotel Bambou
• Hotel Fregate Bleue
• Le Panoramic
• Hotel Residence Diamant Beach
• Carayou Hotel & Spa

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