Fort-de-France, Capital city in Martinique, France
Fort-de-France sits on the western coast of Martinique and spreads along a sheltered bay, where a waterfront promenade looks out onto the Caribbean Sea. The downtown area centers around Rue de la République with its colorful colonial buildings and shaded avenues.
The settlement began in 1638 as Fort-Royal and served initially as a military outpost on the coast. After the volcanic eruption of 1902, it took over the economic role of the destroyed town of Saint-Pierre to the north.
The city takes its name from a 17th-century French fortress and blends military past with Caribbean present. Visitors experience a mix of French language and Creole culture in the streets around the central market.
Most sights lie within the compact city center and can be explored on foot, though the tropical climate suggests frequent breaks in the shade. Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport connects the city to Europe and North America.
Fort Saint Louis from 1640 still serves as an active naval base yet opens its gates for guided tours through the ramparts. Visitors walk through the same stone corridors once used by soldiers and colonial governors.
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