Fort-de-France is the largest city in and capital of Martinique. The center, which is always somewhat crowded, extends to the seaside promenade where multiple bars and restaurants are in a typically French atmosphere. The imposing Fort Saint-Louis dominates the center. At the side you'll find "The Savannah" (French: La Savane), with many species of tropical trees. To the east of the center lies the port area, where cruise ships and merchant vessels dock.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Fort-de-France became the capital of Martinique in 1902, replacing Saint Pierre, which was completely destroyed in the eruption of Mount Pelée. The city developed around the 17th-century Fort Saint-Louis. Today it has nearly 150,000 residents and has spread like wildfire to the point of reaching the hills and plains where the airport is located.
If you want to go from Fort-de-France and into other towns, don't hesitate to use public transport. In Fort-de-France, the bus service runs from 06:00 to 20:30 every day, including Sundays and holidays. The bus system does not take cash (€ coins or otherwise). It requires you buy paper tickets at a kiosk or get the MT Ticket Mobile App. The city of Fort-de-France provides many taxi companies. You can use them at any time, 24/7. Mopeds and cars are also possibilities.
1 Fort Saint-Louis. A fortress on a peninsula in Fort-de-France harbour constructed during the reign of Louis XIII. It houses a French naval base, and parts of the fortress have been turned into a museum and are open to the public. (updated Mar 2019) 2 Schoelcher Library (Bibliothèque Schoelcher). One of the nicest colonial buildings in town is a library next to Place de la savane. (updated Mar 2019) 3 St. Louis Cathedral, rue Victor Schoelcher. It was built in 1671, and was damaged by numerous fires and earthquakes before being totally reconstructed in 1890 by the same architect as the Bibliothèque Schoelcher. (updated Dec 2017) Le grand marché, rues Blénac et Isambert. Covered market.
Hike to Cascade Didier (take the route de Didier from the rond point du Vietnam heroique; go all the way up, through the tunnel and now you are in the tropical jungle only 10 min from downtown). Trail is not marked, park next to the power generator almost at the end of the road. Walk down towards the river, cross the bridge and up on the other side you'll find a tunnel, bring a flash light. The 1st waterfall is a 15-min walk away up the river, it is around 6 m high and jumping from the top is possible. The 2nd waterfall is another 45 min up the river and consist of a 25-m drop in a basin where you can swim. Watch out for the green and purple matoutou spider on the way.
Babaorum, 42 route de Chateauboeuf (behind Carrefour Dillon), ☏ +596 5 96 75 03 32. Lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, dinner only on Saturdays. Outside bar in a garden and restaurant inside. La Réserve, 7-32 Impasse des Aloes (behind Carrefour Dillon), ☏ +596 596 60 30 52. M-F 12:00-15:00. Fairly vegan but not without flavour.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Fort-de-France typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 25 rainy days.
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