Fort de France, Martinique Travel Guide

May 2, 2024

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Cori McCormick

Fort-de-France, Martinique: aka “Foyal”

This was our second stop in Martinique, and as the vibrant capital of the island, it has a lot to offer. You can read about our experience in Saint-Pierre, the other Martinique town we visited, here.

Fun fact: Fort-de-France was originally called “Fort-Royal” because the fort was built by the French, and the term “Royal” signified its connection to the French monarchy. Locals have shortened the name to “Foyal.”

Things to Do in Fort-de-France, Martinique

1. Tour Fort Saint-Louis

Given the fact that this is the fort that the city is named after, it’s kind of a big deal in Fort-de-France. Guided tours are available, and the hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday as of this writing.

Fort Saint-Louis Fort-de-France Martinique

*We got to anchor right next to the fort!* *On the right, the view from our boat*

Anchorage in Fort-de-France — *We got to anchor right next to the fort!* *On the right, the view from our boat*

2. Visit the Saint Louis Cathedral, the Largest Church in Fort-de-France

This neo-Gothic cathedral, rebuilt multiple times due to natural disasters, features stunning stained glass windows and intricate woodwork. When we were there, there was a wedding in progress, so we didn’t get to go inside, but it was quite impressive from the outside.

Cathedral in Fort-de-France Martinique — *Cathédrale de Fort-de-France* *and a modern building on the other side of the plaza*

3. Take a Stroll through Downtown Fort-de-France

We spent a lot of time strolling up and down Rue de la Republique and the adjoining streets. It’s lined with restaurants and shops. It had a fun but relaxed vibe.

4. Find the Spike Lee Mural

We love urban art, so we just had to find this mural! It was tucked back in a residential neighborhood.

Spike Lee mural Fort-de-France Martinique

Here’s an interactive map of how to get there (below). It’s located just a few hundred yards from the Cap Antilles International Boat Dealer.

*Above is a static map from No Foreign Land*; *the mural is located at the orange icon at the bottom right*

There were a few things on our list that we missed. We hope you get to see them!

Martinique Jazz Festival and the famous Carnival of Martinique

Hiking the Pitons du Carbet

Tips for Visiting Fort-de-France, Martinique

French is the official language of Martinique, but many locals also speak Creole. Learning a few basic phrases in French goes a long way. We came across several situations in which locals refused to engage with Google Translate.

The official currency is the Euro(€). Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is useful for small vendors.

Customs and Immigration are handled at the Sea Services marine chandlery via a computer kiosk.

Customs and Immigration kiosk in Fort-de-France Martinique

Need a doctor? There’s one located in the Martinique airport. Its operating hours were 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. as of this writing. No appointment necessary.

Fort-de-france medical clinic — *The airport is about an 11-minute drive from downtown Fort-de-France*

*The airport is about an 11-minute drive from downtown Fort-de-France*

Getting Around

Public Transport – The city has a bus system, but schedules can be unpredictable.
Taxis – Readily available but can be expensive.
Car Rental – A great option if you plan to explore beyond the city. In retrospect, I wish we had done this.
Ferries – Convenient for reaching Les Trois-Îlets and other nearby areas.

Final Thoughts

Fort-de-France is a dynamic city that offers a perfect mix of history and culture. Whether you’re strolling through colorful markets, lounging on a beach, or exploring historic forts, this Caribbean destination promises a great experience.

You can see a map of Fort-de-France here.

Macs Making Tracks sailing around the world

Cori McCormick

Cori is an independent journalist, adventurer, and photographer who is currently sailing around the world full-time with her husband, Roy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and her master’s degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton. When she’s not exploring new places, she can be found hiking or playing with pothounds.