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Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique, is a busy port city on the island’s western side. It integrates French and Caribbean cultures and is considered the centre of culture, politics, and economic activities in Martinique. The city is famous for its ancient edifices, vibrant markets, and picturesque coastline. Major attractions are Fort Saint-Louis, the sea-facing fortress built in the 17th century, and the magnificent Schoelcher Library, a beautiful structure brought from Paris.
Fort De France Location
Photo: Ma He / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Every year, because of the festivities organized, people come to Fort-de-France, the capital of the Caribbean island of Martinique situated in the western part of the island. Since the Caribbean Sea is located in Fort-de-France, the organizers of the music festival put up a number of performance stages at the seashores where people can perform without losing the scenic benefits of the ocean.
How To Reach Fort De France
Photo: Prayitno / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Here the list of ways you can reach the capital city of Martinique:
By Road: The capital city, Fort-de-France can also be reached by road as it is situated on one of the coastlines of Martinique. For city festivals, participants may come from other regions of Martinique or allocate additional time for driving to the city from other bordering regions. Roads such as N3 and N4 connect Fort-de-France to other major cities within the island.
By Public Transport: There are regular buses connecting the island to the capital and dropping riders a short distance to the festival. Lastly, ferry services from the other islands and the southern sea shores of the island to Fort-de-France alongside the other tourist centres make its accessibility to the city much easier for tourists.
By Air: Those travelling to Fort-de-France by air shall land at the nearest airport of Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport.
Places To Visit In And Around Fort de France
Here the list of nearby places that you can visit near Fort de France:
1. Jardin de Balata
Photo: Mica / Wikimedia Commons
This tropical garden features a breathtaking variety of specimens, with more than 3,000 kinds of tropical flowers, lush stands of palm trees, and native Caribbean plants. Tourists can meander along the beautiful benches located within the garden, around refreshing water lily ponds, interspersed with bald bridges that cradle the exquisiteness of the tropical features. The beautiful garden has several panoramic decks with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys surrounding the area.
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Major Attractions: Exotic plants, flower gardens, hanging bridges
2. Schoelcher Library
Photo: Jukka / Wikimedia Commons
Placed in the very centre of Fort-de-France, the Schoelcher Library is both an architectural and cultural treasure loved by many tourists who come to this city. The Library is famous for its peculiar conformation and remarkable history. The library’s basic structure was known as the Schoelcher Library in Paris, where the components were then deconstructed and relocated to Montserrat. The library galleries hold hundreds of books and other items, many old, containing a girth of history of literature in Martinique. With a mix of Renaissance and Byzantine design styles and elaborate ceilings featuring mosaic patterns along with huge coloured glass photos, it is certainly a place any art and history buff visiting the city should check out.
Timings: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Major Attractions: Unique architecture, historical book collections
3. Fort-De-France Cathedral
Photo: Jeremy Gross / Wikimedia Commons
Fort-de-France Cathedral, traditionally known as the Cathedral of St Louis, is a masterwork in Caribbean French Architecture and a valued Gothic Revival structure. The exterior looks stunning as it was originally built in 1895 but the cathedral has undergone a lot of renovations and restorations, displacing a lot of building materials because of natural disasters, several times over. The featured stained glass on the windows and vaulted ceilings are all present in the structure.
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
Major Attractions: Gothic architecture, stained-glass windows
4. Palais De Justice
Photo: JLPC / Wikimedia Commons
Palais de Justice occupies a significant historical site in the capital of Fort-de-France as it is known for its neoclassical architecture as well as its contribution to the place’s legal history. The impressive structure has a grand-looking entrance with huge columns and a lovely courtyard which looks like the prevailing architecture during the colonial period. The sight of the building is possible. Palais de Justice has quite an important significance with regard to the laws of the city and usually, people are irritated by the confined interference or the rigid outlines of the history upon them.
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Neoclassical architecture, historical significance
5. La Savane Park
Photo: Lidine Mia / Wikimedia Commons
The La Savane is quite a dynamic and well-maintained park located in Fort de France and is popular with both the residents and the visitors due to its warmth and aesthetic appeal. Spanning over 12.5 acres, the park has expansive law areas, forested walks, several relaxing chairs, a children’s play section, etc. The park contains several sculptures and other historical artifacts such as the bust of Empress Josephine which tells the tourist a lot about the history of the island of Martinique.
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Gardens, statues, Fort Saint-Louis views, picnic areas, walking paths
Where To Stay
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Like many popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Fort-de-France has a variety of hotels that cater to every type of traveller, from cheap sleeps to the most luxurious of rooms. For its central location, the Hotel L’Impératrice is specially tailored for both business and leisure travellers. The Simon Hotel features contemporary facilities and logically enables the guests to easily visit and see the most important places within the city. Those who prefer to stay closer to the attractions on the beach can opt for the Karibea Squash Hotel which looks across the bay. For those seeking a more economical option, Résidence Plocus offers no-frills tidy rooms within a few minutes walk from the city centre.
Where To Eat
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The dining scene in Fort de France is extensive and delicious, ranging from local cuisines to international culinary favourites. For budget meals, Le Titus is often frequented for its seafood delicacies revolving mostly around fresh fish and local fish dishes. Wine lovers can visit La Cave a Vins, which has local as well as French wines matched with cured meat and cheese. For a fine dining experience, patrons can visit Le Bistro de l’Art which offers French fine dining with a touch of the Caribbean in its modern environment.
Best Time To Visit
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Fort-de-France is best visited in the Dry season from December to April when the weather is warm, bright and most appropriate for outdoor pursuits. This duration is also considered as the high season for tourism, which is conducive for sightseeing within the city and its beaches. The wet season which is experienced from June to November is characterized by high levels of humidity and intermittent drizzles, especially during the hurricane season which occurs between August and October and tends to affect travel plans.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: JLXP / Wikimedia Commons
Here are some factors to consider while planning your trip to Fort-de-France:
Average Cost Of Trip
Transportation, accommodation, food, and sightseeing facilities round the hour cost more like INR 8000 to 20000 to visit Fort-de-France, Martinique. The cost will vary based on the type of accommodation available and local transportation used if any local buses, taxis, or luncheons cars and the type of dishes that one may wish to eat and also how many activities one is going to have. Using public transport is very cheap compared to hiring a taxi or renting a car.
Tips For Travelers
- It is advisable to have walking shoes when going around cities since some places are only enjoyed on foot.
- Always Carry Water because some regions can be hot and do carry sun tan lotion as well.
- Do not forget to rent a place early because Fort-de-France can be filled to the brim during the peak seasons and therefore very difficult to get accommodation.
- You can also opt to hire a vehicle if you wish to go to the beaches or hiking trails that are located quite a distance away.
- You may also want to carry a cap or some shades with you while going around the city in order to shield yourself from the sun.
Fort-de-France is an exciting place offering different cultures, natural beauty, and exciting activities. Also, the fests with music, art, food, and everything else provide the best way to engage in the joyous vibe of the island. Even though the climate of the city makes it conducive for tourism throughout the year, the dry period between December and April would be best appreciated by the tourists. Book a trip with TripXL which promises fun.
Cover Photo: Scott S Bateman / Wikimedia Commons
