Docking at Fort-de-France cruise port in Martinique is completely different to most of the other islands in the Caribbean and we absolutely loved it! Because the island is an official region of France, you get a great mix of the vibrant Caribbean energy and classic European city vibes. You’re swapping beach shacks for French bakeries and historic forts.
While the city streets are easy to navigate on a walking tour, the island is also world-famous for its agricultural rum production out in the countryside. We’ve put together everything you need to know about the port so you can easily explore the historic sights in town and still have time to visit a plantation or one of the other beautiful spots on the island.
Quick Guide to Fort-de-France Cruise Port
- Location: Tourelles Terminal, Fort-de-France
- Typical Time in Port: 8 to 9 hours
- Walkable: It’s about a 10 to 15-minute walk into the main city centre
- Currency: Euro (EUR) is the official currency
- Language: French and Antillean Creole
A Little Bit About Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France sits on the west coast of Martinique and looks out over the Baie des Flamands. If you’ve ever visited the neighbouring island of Guadeloupe, you’ll immediately recognise the same distinct French atmosphere here. It’s a natural harbour sheltered by green hills but its position as the island’s main hub is actually born out of a massive natural disaster.
For a long time, the city wasn’t the capital at all. That title belonged to Saint-Pierre in the north of the island. Saint-Pierre was the cultural heart of Martinique until it was abandoned in 1902 when the Mount Pelée volcano erupted and completely destroyed the entire city in minutes. After that tragic event, Fort-de-France became the new capital and all the economic and political power shifted down to the bay.
Originally known as Fort-Royal, the city was built up around Fort St. Louis to protect French interests from the British and Dutch. That naval fort still guards the waterfront today. Because the city had to rapidly expand and rebuild after the 1902 eruption and a series of huge fires, you’ll see a mix of old 19th-century French colonial buildings sitting alongside more modern Caribbean architecture as you ramble through the city.
Docking Info & Port Layout
Sailing into Martinique gives you fantastic views of the harbour and the forts. There are two main cruise terminals in Fort-de-France. We docked at the Tourelles Terminal which sits slightly further out from the centre of the city. It’s a busy commercial port area but it’s very secure and easy to navigate. From there, it’s just a short 15-minute walk or a very quick taxi ride right into the heart of town.
If your ship docks at the Pointe Simon Cruise Terminal instead, you’ll be dropped right on the waterfront promenade. That puts you just steps away from the main city streets so you can walk straight out the terminal gates and start exploring the city centre immediately.
Getting Around Fort-de-France
If you’re just staying around Fort-de-France, walking is definitely your best option. The city centre is completely flat which is a massive relief if you’ve just come from the exhausting hills of Grenada! All the main historic sights are clustered very close together in a simple grid system so it’s very easy to navigate. You can stroll along the waterfront promenade right up to Fort St. Louis or just wander through the shopping streets without ever worrying about getting lost.
For anything outside the city limits like the rum plantations or the botanical gardens, you’ll definitely need transport. There’s plenty of official taxis waiting right outside both cruise terminals but the fares can be quite steep. We recommend booking an organised tour if you want to head out into the countryside so you don’t have to worry about negotiating prices or translating French.
Curious Facts About Martinique
- Martinique is an overseas region of France which means it’s officially part of the European Union.
- The island is the rum capital of the world and the only place with an AOC designation for its agricultural rum.
- Mount Pelée is an active volcano on the island that erupted in 1902 and destroyed the former capital of Saint-Pierre.
- The local bakeries are so authentic that many of them fly their butter and flour in directly from France!
- Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, Empress Josephine, was born in Martinique. You can still find her marble statue in La Savane park but it’s missing its head because locals decapitated it in the 1990s to protest her role in reinstating slavery on the island.
Top Things to Do in Fort-de-France
If you want to stay near the ship and do a DIY walking tour, these are the best sights to hit up. You could also book a guided walking tour.
Bibliothèque Schœlcher
This is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and you can’t miss it. This library was built in Paris and displayed at the 1889 World Fair. After the fair finished, it was taken apart and shipped piece by piece all the way to Martinique where it was rebuilt. It’s colourful and completely free to walk inside and admire the architecture, unless it’s closed like it was when we went!
St. Louis Cathedral
Just a short walk from the library is the main cathedral. It has a massive iron spire that you can spot from the cruise ship. It was designed by a contemporary of Gustave Eiffel and was built using a metal frame to help it withstand the intense Caribbean hurricanes and earthquakes.
Fort St. Louis
This massive historic fortress sits right on the edge of the bay and guards the harbour. Because it’s still an active French naval base today, you can only explore the inside if you book an official guided tour. Even if you don’t go inside, it looks incredible from the outside and is well worth walking up to.
La Savane Park & La Française Beach
Right in the middle of the city sits La Savane, a massive park that is perfect for grabbing some shade. This is where you’ll find that infamous headless statue of Empress Josephine! The park backs onto La Française which is the local city beach. It’s a lovely little spot to sit on the sand, watch the boats bobbing in the water and cool off after your walk.
The Covered Market (Grand Marché)
If you want to soak up the real local atmosphere, you have to visit the Grand Marché. This covered market is packed with vendors selling fresh spices, vanilla pods, local rum and handmade crafts. It gets very busy and noisy but it’s the absolute best place to grab a cheap local lunch or pick up some authentic souvenirs to take home.
Top Excursions in Martinique
If you want to see the real Martinique you need to leave the city and explore the rest of the island. Here are the best trips to consider if you want to head further afield.
Habitation Clément (Rhum Clément Plantation)
This is where we spent our morning and it was brilliant. Habitation Clément is the most famous rum plantation on the island. The estate is huge and you get to explore the botanical gardens before heading into the old rum distillery to see the vintage machinery. You can also walk through the preserved historic mansion.
Our favourite part was stopping by the Workshop of Senses. It gives you a look at how they make their famous agricultural rum from raw sugar cane. You even get to do a rum tasting at the end which Denis was very happy about! It’s about a 40-minute drive from the port so you definitely need to book a taxi or an excursion to get there.
Jardin de Balata (Balata Botanical Garden)
If you love nature but don’t want to travel too far from the ship, this is the perfect option. These botanical gardens are only a 20-minute drive up into the hills behind Fort-de-France. The gardens are packed with tropical flowers, bamboo trees and hummingbirds. There’s also a rope bridge canopy walk suspended up in the mahogany trees that gives you amazing views over the bay.
The Ruins of Saint-Pierre
For anyone interested in darker historical sights, a trip up the coast to Saint-Pierre is a must. This was once the bustling capital of Martinique before the Mount Pelée volcano erupted in 1902 and completely wiped out the entire city in minutes. Today you can walk through the volcanic ruins, see the old prison cell where a single survivor famously made it out alive and visit the small memorial museum. It’s a really fascinating and sobering place to explore. By the way, if you’re interested in abandoned places, you should check out Curious Abandoned!
Les Trois-ÃŽlets & Pointe du Bout
If you just want a classic Caribbean beach day, you should catch the local ferry from the Fort-de-France waterfront. It takes about 20 minutes to cross the bay to Les Trois-ÃŽlets and the resort area of Pointe du Bout. You’ll find white sand beaches, clear water and plenty of waterfront cafes. It’s a fantastic and cheap way to get out on the water without booking an expensive bus tour.
Tips For Your Visit
- Wear Proper Footwear: The city centre is very flat but it gets incredibly hot and humid.
- Bring Your Euros: Because Martinique is part of France the official currency is the Euro. Some places near the port might take US Dollars but you will get a terrible exchange rate.
- Brush Up on Your French: English is not widely spoken here outside of the main tourist hubs. Having a translation app on your phone or knowing a few basic French phrases goes a long way.
- Check Opening Hours: The city takes its French lifestyle very seriously. Many shops and cafes close for a long lunch in the afternoon and almost everything shuts down completely on Sundays.
- Take Advantage of EU Roaming: Martinique falls under European roaming regulations. If you have a UK or European mobile plan, you can use your data here like you would at home without paying any ridiculous Caribbean roaming charges!
Fort-de-France Cruise Port FAQs
Is Fort-de-France walkable from the cruise port?
Yes, if you dock at the Pointe Simon terminal you’re right in the heart of the city. You can walk to the library, the fort and the markets in just a few minutes. If you’re stopping at Tourelles Terminal, it’s about a 15-minute walk.
Are there beaches near the cruise port in Martinique?
La Française is a small beach right next to Fort St. Louis in the city centre. If you want proper white sand resort beaches you’ll need to take a ferry or a taxi across the bay to Pointe du Bout or Les Trois-ÃŽlets.
Do I need an excursion for the rum distilleries?
Yes, places like Habitation Clément are located out in the countryside. You’ll need to book an organised tour or negotiate a return fare with a local taxi driver to get there and back safely.
What currency should I use in Martinique?
You need to use Euros. Unlike other Caribbean islands that accept US Dollars, Martinique is very strictly a Euro destination.
Are there taxis waiting at the cruise port?
Yes, there are plenty of official taxis waiting right outside both terminals. Just be aware that they don’t use meters so you’ll need to agree on the final fare in Euros before you get in the car.
The Verdict on Fort-de-France
We absolutely loved our day in Martinique. It’s a brilliant cruise port because it offers a complete contrast to the rest of the Caribbean. Swapping the usual beach bars for city streets, historic forts and fresh French pastries makes it feel very European. Was an ideal stop for the vibe of our MSC Virtuosa cruise.
Heading out to Habitation Clément was the highlight for us. Getting to walk through the botanical gardens and dig into the history of the old rum distillery made it a bit of an adventure. Whether you stick around the city centre to soak up the French Caribbean vibes or head out into the countryside to sample the agricultural rum, Fort-de-France is a port that’s well worth exploring properly!
