Tourist Attractions & Monuments Martinique

It is one of the most visited buildings in the capital. In 1883, Victor Schoelcher donated part of his personal library to Martinique (10,000 books) but on one condition: that of creating a library that would be open to all, in particular for the instruction of former black slaves. The building—a metal structure—was designed and built for the 1889 Exhibition in Paris before being meticulously transported beam by beam to Fort-de-France. It is one of the few buildings on the island with such an eclectic style, with Roman, Byzantine, Egyptian, and Arab influences. Designed by the architect Pierre Henri Pick (1833-1911) and faithfully rebuilt according to the plans of its designer, it is a remarkable monument of the capital city. The building, as explained by Siméon Petit, curator of the site from 1919 to 1939, “was not built as a pavilion for the colony at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889 and transported here to serve its intended purpose. Rather, it is the opposite. It was commissioned to house Schoelcher's generous donation. As it was close to the date of the Exhibition in which the colony was preparing to take part, this monument was placed on the Champ-de-Mars, serving as the pavilion of Martinique”. Among the emblematic places of the capital, the library contains a collection of old books dedicated to the history of the island, as well as valuable archives. An ideal place to spend quality time, in the shade!

Following the seaside, you'll pass in front of the fishing port and its colored huts. After about 300 m of track along the coast, you'll arrive at Pointe-Faula, a pretty beach lined with white sea bottoms. Dotted with coconut trees and popular with sailing enthusiasts, this spot is home to windsurfers and fly-surfers. It is also a privileged swimming spot for children, who can swim for 300 meters in breathtaking turquoise water. On the spot: small typical restaurants, caravans, and cultural events such as Jazz à la pointe.

A rocky promontory nearly 600 meters long, dug out, carved, dressed with stones and raised in places, Fort Royal, renamed Fort Saint-Louis in 1802, is a masterpiece of the defensive arsenal of Martinique. It is one of the best preserved fortresses in the West Indies. It is the fortress that gave its name to the inhabitants of Fort-de-France: the Foyalais, as the Creole for Fort Royal is Foyal.

The history of Fort Saint-Louis began around 1640, when du Parquet, governor of Martinique, decided to fortify the small rocky peninsula that juts into the Royal cul-de-sac, Baie des Flamands. What was initially a simple wooden palisade gradually became, thanks to the will of governors-general such as Baas or Blénac, and with the subsidies granted by Louis XIV, a fort “à la Vauban”, imposing, solid, robust, with its labyrinth of bastions, bunkers, and sentry boxes. The fort was built from volcanic rocks from Mount Pelee! The place is still well guarded! Still active, it has kept its military vocation and houses the headquarters of the Navy command in the Antilles. The tourist office of Fort-de-France organizes very interesting guided tours, about one hour long, which are a must-do! During your walk, you will come across a colony of iguanas (some of which are 1.50 m long!). These herbivorous reptiles from tropical America are witnesses of the zoological past of this fortress.

This lovely museum nestled in a magnificent setting is entirely devoted to the banana. The visit begins with informative and entertaining panels that tell us all about the history of the banana, its cultivation, its economy and its benefits. With a banana in hand (courtesy of the museum!), you're off to explore the park, where 64 varieties of banana trees flourish. The trail ends with a tasty trip to the store, brimming with gourmet souvenirs: banana wine, banana ketchup... An enriching visit that will delight the whole family!

Founded in the ^17th century, the Usine de Galion is Martinique's last and only remaining sugar factory, and the timeless guardian of this century-old memory. For several centuries, Martinique's economy was based almost exclusively on the cultivation and processing of sugar cane. Today, the factory produces a wide range of sugars, including brown sugar and major flavors. Under a mixed economy, it also produces rum. Owned by the Dubuc family in 1849, it was bought by Eugène Eustache, a Belgian merchant associated with Emile Bougenot, an engineer who controlled seven of Martinique's eleven sugar factories at the time. At the center of the factory stands a Hindu temple, testimony to the strong presence of Indian workers on the island (late ^19th century), who obtained permission to build their place of worship. Legend has it that, following a severe drought, an Indian priest organized a ceremony in honor of the Hindu gods, and the rains came. The factory can be visited between February and June, during the sugar harvest. The tour is particularly interesting. Please note that children under the age of six are not admitted.

Good to know: closed shoes are mandatory! At the end of this tasty tour, you can visit the factory store to taste and discover the different varieties of sugar currently marketed by the Galion factory, and try to unravel the mysteries of production.