Fort-de-France
Martinique's capital on the west coast, known for its old French forts, the Place de la Savane and the Jardin de Balata botanical garden.
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Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique, an overseas department and region of France in the Caribbean. It sits on the west coast, at the northern entrance to Fort-de-France Bay, near the mouth of the Madame River. The city lies on a narrow plain between hills and sea, and roads reach it from every part of the island. Its older name, Foyal, is still used locally, and people here speak Creole alongside French.
Fort Saint Louis was first built in 1638 to protect the city, then destroyed and rebuilt from 1669 to a Vauban design. It is a French naval base, so it is not open to general visitors. Fort Desaix, the Place de la Savane, the Fort-de-France Cathedral and the Jardin de Balata botanical garden are among the main sights. The climate is tropical, hot and humid all year, with rain in every month. The wettest months run from July to November, when hurricanes are a frequent threat. February is the coolest month and September the hottest.
Fort-de-France in five
- Check entry rules for your passportMartinique is French but outside Schengen: holders of a Schengen visa need the DOM extension, and a return ticket must be shown on arrival.Visa and entry rules
- Take the 20-minute ferry to Trois-ÎletsMaritime shuttles cross the bay from the capital to the resort side, with Josephine's birthplace and the Anse Mitan beach. Check first and last departures.Fort-de-France in 2 days
- Start at the Grand Marché in the morningThe island's largest covered market, a short walk from the Schoelcher Library and the Parc de la Savane. Go early for cooler air and fresher stalls.
- Choose downtown or the bay for your baseDowntown suits markets and museums on foot; Trois-Îlets suits beaches. The capital itself is not a seaside destination.Where to stay
- Check the prefecture's notices before you flyUK advice, last updated 10 December 2025, still carried a protest and fuel-restriction note. Check the Préfet of Martinique and your airline for the current position.
Things to do in Fort-de-France
See all attractions in Fort-de-France
Need to know
- Airport
- Aimé Césaire International Airport, Le Lamentin
- Getting there
- Direct and connecting flights; sea links from other Caribbean islands
- Getting around
- Walk downtown; ferry to Trois-Îlets; car for the island
- Best base
- Downtown for the city; Trois-Îlets for beaches
- Time needed
- 2 days; more with Montagne Pelée and the south
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Drier, coolerJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, cooler
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Drier, coolerFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, cooler
- MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°DrierMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°DrierAprilRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Warm, wetterMayRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wetter
- JuneRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hurricane seasonJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hurricane seasonAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hurricane seasonSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hurricane seasonOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Hurricane seasonNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Drier, coolerDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, cooler
Average daily high and low in Fort-de-France, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Fort-de-France
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 25 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Fort-de-France
04:07 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°24°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue32°26°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Wed32°26°35%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu31°24°25%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri31°25°68%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Sat31°25°34%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 34%.
- Sun31°25°29%Sunday: Clear. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 01:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Trois-Îletsabout 20 minutes by ferryJosephine's birthplace, the Maison de la Canne and the Anse Mitan beach.
- Jardin de Balatashort drive on the Route de la TraceA tropical garden of more than 3,000 species with canopy walkways.
- Montagne Pelée and Saint-Pierrefull day; start earlyThe island's highest point and the town destroyed by the 1902 eruption.
Before you go to Fort-de-France
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Rules for Fort-de-France, checked
- British citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days; the passport must be valid 3 months after departure.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Martinique is outside the Schengen area: Schengen visa holders must obtain the DOM extension before arrival.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Travelers must be able to show a return ticket at the airport on arrival.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Fort-de-France FAQ
How many days do you need in Fort-de-France?
Two days cover the market, the Schoelcher Library, the Parc de la Savane and one trip, either the ferry to Trois-Îlets or the Jardin de Balata. Add days for Montagne Pelée and the south coast.
Is Fort-de-France worth visiting?
Yes, for a lively French Caribbean capital with a covered market, a historic library and a bay setting. It is a city stop, not a beach resort, so pair it with a night or two on the coast.
Do I need a visa for Martinique?
UK citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa, per UK government advice, and the tourism board says US and Canadian citizens can stay up to three months. Schengen visa holders need the DOM extension.
Is Fort-de-France a beach destination?
No. The Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme says it has only a few calm beaches, one near the old fort. The resort beaches are across the bay at Trois-Îlets or on the south coast.
Is Martinique safe for tourists?
The UK government says crime is low and advises avoiding isolated areas, including beaches, after dark. Do not leave valuables visible in cars, and check the prefecture's notices for protest or fuel-related disruption.