Fort-de-France
Martinique’s capital on the Baie des Flamands, with a cathedral built on an iron frame, a library raised to Schœlcher’s name and a botanical garden in the hills above.
- Arrival
- Martinique Aimé Césaire International · FDF
- To the city
- About 8 km from the airport at Le Lamentin
- Private jets
- FDF open 24 hours, with customs
- Best time
- February to April
The city
A capital that faces its bay.
Fort-de-France is the island’s prefecture and its one real city, home to some seventy-six thousand Foyalais. The old grid runs down to the water around La Savane, the five-hectare park that began as the Jardin du Roi, where new plants were first tried in the colony and where the carnival parade now passes. Fort Saint-Louis, the Bibliothèque Schœlcher and the iron-framed cathedral of Saint-Louis stand close by.
The bay takes its name from the Dutch settlers, driven out of Brazil, who were given land here in 1654, and in 2011 it was admitted to the club of the world’s most beautiful bays. Water shuttles cross to Les Trois-Îlets, and the road north climbs through the hills towards the Pitons du Carbet and the garden at Balata.
- Cathédrale Saint-Louis Rebuilt by Henri Picq on a metal frame meant to stand up to earthquakes and cyclones, after fire and storm wrecked the church in 1890.
- Bibliothèque Schœlcher A colonial-era library named after Victor Schœlcher, the abolitionist behind the 1848 decree that ended slavery in the French colonies.
- Jardin de Balata About two hectares of orchids, palms and water lilies, opened in 1986, with Montagne Pelée in view and the centre some twenty minutes away.
Arriving
Eight kilometres from the runway.
Martinique Aimé Césaire lies at Le Lamentin, about eight kilometres east-south-east of the capital. One 3,000-metre runway serves the airlines and private aircraft alike.
- Antigua 45 min
- San Juan 1 h 15
- New York 4 h 25
- Ibiza 8 h 50 long-range jet
- Cape Town 13 h 10 long-range jet
When to go
February to April.
The thermometer barely moves, 28 °C in winter and 30 °C from May to October. What changes is the rain: February to April are the dry months, with March under 70 mm, while July to October bring more than 230 mm each.
- 28° J 119 27°
- 28° F 91 26°
- 28° M 68 27°
- 29° A 90 27°
- 30° M 124 28°
- 30° J 174 28°
- 30° J 231 28°
- 30° A 247 29°
- 30° S 233 29°
- 30° O 235 29°
- 29° N 218 28°
- 28° D 153 28°
Where to stay
On the waterfront, or across the bay.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
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La Suite Villa Fifteen suites and villas on the hill opposite the capital, every one with a private Jacuzzi, and a spa.
- Simon Hotel A contemporary four-star on the waterfront, within walking distance of the centre, built with business stays in mind.
-
Hotel Bakoua The island’s only hotel in the MICHELIN selection, with a private beach at Pointe du Bout facing the city.
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La Pagerie, Tropical Garden Hotel A garden and pool steps from Anse Mitan, close to the shuttle landing for the capital.
- French Coco On the Atlantic side, at the gate of the Caravelle reserve, with a private pool for nearly every suite.
-
Hôtel Plein Soleil Sixteen rooms and suites in five villas on Pointe Thalémont, many with their own pool.
- Sable Bleu Boutique Hotel A small hotel beside the southern yachting harbour, its pool on the roof.
Where to dine
Tasting menus, in town and over the water.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Martinique. All four tables are classed gastronomic by the Martinique Tourism Authority; Le Zandoli is also listed by Gault&Millau’s Antilles guide, and Plein Soleil’s chef, Rudy Réclair, was Gault&Millau Antilles Chef of the Year 2020.
- Le Zandoli Gault&Millau Modern gourmet La Suite Villa, Les Trois-Îlets
- Plein Soleil Gault&Millau Chef of the Year 2020 Creative, island produce and seafood Hôtel Plein Soleil, Le François, about 20 km east
- Miza Martinique Tourism, gastronomic Surprise tasting menu Rivière Roche, Fort-de-France
- 1643 Martinique Tourism, gastronomic Creative, Creole accents Anse Latouche, Le Carbet, about 16 km north-west
Elsewhere in Martinique
More reasons to come.
- Les Trois-Îlets Across the bay, the birthplace of Joséphine, and the marina of Pointe du Bout.
- Sainte-Anne The Grande Anse des Salines, the island's most celebrated beach.
- Le François Islets and the shallow Fonds Blancs, on the Atlantic side.
- Saint-Pierre The old capital destroyed by Mont Pelée in 1902, its ruins still standing.
Flying to Fort-de-France?
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A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.