Fort-de-France

Overview

Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique and a very French city. Narrow balconied streets give the city its charm   .

La Savane is the central park of the city. To get away from the traffic, which can be almost as bad as in Paris, this is the place to go. Along the edges of the park you find vendors with cold drinks and snacks. From here ferries leave to Pointe du Bout where you find excellent beaches.

Along the east side of the park Fort St. Louis, the home of the government offices stand. Other sights and landmarks include the Schoelcher Library named after a local hero who fought for the abolition of slavery , the Musee Departemental de Martinique which has a few nice precolumbian artifacts, the Cathedral and the local version of the Sacre Coeur .

North of the city are a few nice fishing villages. Case Pilote houses the islands oldest church, Carbet is the place where Columbus first set foot ashore.

History