Fort De France

Fort de France is the capital of Martinique, located in the Eastern Caribbean.

Two popular excursions are a tour of Forte de France and a trip to the Balata Gardens of Martinique, 7 miles away.

For that 'South of France' ambience, Pointe du Bout is a ferry ride away from the waterfront and offers good beaches at Anse Mitan and Anse a l'Ane. It is also home to some of the major resorts and has cafes and shops.

Galleria Shopping Mall is the largest on the island, the supermarket there is huge and stocked with a choice of French wines.

Visitors also head to Macouba, a fishing village in the north, usually stopping at the J.M. Distillery en-route.

Local dishes include shellfish, smoked fish, stuffed land crabs, stewed conch and curry dishes. The island's cuisine reflects the many cultures here, from Creole and French to African and Asian dishes.

Ships dock at either the Passenger Terminal, which is a 5 minute ride into town or the Pointe Simon pier in the heart of the city. Occasionally, ships anchor and tender passengers ashore, the tender pier is located right in the centre of Forte de France.