Everything you need to know to enjoy a tour of Fort-de-France like a local

Discover a culturally and gastronomically rich city

Fort-de-France is full of jewels to admire or to taste: discover its very rich culture starting with its local market.

Image: Cathedral of Fort-de-France

The covered market of Fort-de-France

The covered market of Fort de France is a place full of colors and typical scents of the island. Many local specialties are to be tasted, they will satisfy the curious taste buds! You will be able to discover the black pudding, the sea products and the exotic fruits and vegetables characteristic of the island of Flowers. Creole handicrafts are also very present in this colorful market, marked by the making of traditional clothes.

Fort-de-France market in Martinique. © thierry64 via Canva.com

Museums

The city's museums are also well known for history lovers. The "Departmental Museum of Pre-Columbian Archaeology" or the "Regional Museum of History and Ethnography of Martinique" retrace the island's fascinating past. If you have time, you can also visit the original Banana Museum which will make you know the history of this fruit.

Fort Saint-Louis

Fort Saint-Louis, built in 1638, is a military fort overlooking the beach of La Française. This site, classified as a historical monument since 1973, offers guided tours retracing the eventful history of this fort.

Cultural activities

Impossible to get bored in Fort-de-France! The national stage of Fort-de-France (Tropiques Atrium) offers a wide range of activities: concerts, exhibitions, cinema, festival...

Discover the natural beauty of Fort-de-France

Fort-de-France is a perfect witness of the natural beauty of the island. The capital city located between the Pitons du Carbet and the Plaine du Lamentin makes its location ideal and offers a striking panorama.

The Bay of Flamands

The Bay of Fort-de-France (or Baie des Flamands) is known as one of the most beautiful views in the world. It demonstrates the idyllic situation of the island by its opening on the Caribbean. Accessible by car, this bay testifies to the grandeur and magnificence of Martinique.

The Balata Garden

This magnificent garden of Martinique allows you to relax during a rewarding stroll. This green park was created by the passionate landscape designer Jean-Philippe Thoze in 1982. During a walk, you will witness the diversity of the island's lush nature.

The Beach of La Française

The city being coastal, going to Fort-de-France also allows you to spend a relaxing moment on the beach of La Française. This beautiful family beach at the foot of Fort Saint-Louis is the ideal place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.

La Française beach in Fort de France © Crobard via Canva.com

Getting to Fort-de-France by car

The city is served by the only French highway located in the French Overseas Territories (A1 / 972 highway). You can also take the 4 national roads (RN 1/ RN 2/ RN 3/ RN 4) and a bypass (RD 41). Thus, it is easy to reach the city from the four corners of the island by car. It takes about half an hour to get there from Trois-Îlets. Count a little less than an hour from Sainte-Anne in the south of the island as well as from the northern tip. Thus, travelling by car is the best solution to discover all the secrets of the island.

Martinique's roads are generally pleasant to drive on, and Europcar can offer you various types of vehicles. For a getaway with friends, prefer a 5-seater model such as the Renault Captur. For large families, we have 7 to 9-seater models for comfortable trips.

Visit Fort-de-France with Europcar : book your rental car in Martinique with Europcar Martinique.