Tourism Guide Fort-De-France en Martinique
Located on the Caribbean coast , Fort-de-France, capital of the department of Martinique, is a city steeped in history, tradition and culture. Most cosmopolitan city in the French Antilles, it was administered for 56 years, by Aime Cesaire, poet, politician and poet of Negritude.
Take time to stroll around and discover its vibrant markets with its smells of spices and fruits, its warm Creole culture, the old center, its architectural diversity ...
History
- 1638 : construction of a fort by early settlers.
- 1673 – 1674 : Following the "Rum Victoy" against Dutch troops, Louis XIV ordered the creation of Fort Royal, where the city map was established.
- 1676 : Significant work by the Marquis of Baas, first governor of the Antilles, and the Earl of Blenac allowed to develop Fort-Royal, former military and administrative center. Fort Royal City and its Fort were built in a context of conflict with the Caribbean, the Dutch and the English. This site revealed its importance, despite the unhealthy climate of the surrounding wetlands because it housed the entrance to the largest Bay if the island.
- 1676 : Fort Royal became the host of the Governor and the administrative capital of Martinique. St. Pierre gradually lost its role as capital, but retains its status as economic capital.
Fort Royal had to deal with natural or human disasters that destroy the city several times :
- 1724 : Flood
- 1762 : The British captured Fort Royal. The population suffered a yellow fever epidemic
- 1766 : Cyclone
- 1771 : Earthquake
- 1794 : Reoccupation of the British until 1802.
- 1801: By decree of Napoleon, the city became the capital of the colony and became known as Fort-de-France
- 1839 : New earthquake
- 1890 : A fire devastated three quarters of the city
- 1891 : A hurricane hit the city and killed nearly 400 people
- 1902 : the eruption of Mount Pelée devastating St. Pierre on May 8, propeled Fort de France to the level of economic capital, and became the first city in Martinique. New districts were built and rehabilitated, foreshadowing the present appearance of the city.
To see / To do
Heritage
With the various natural and human disasters which destroyed the city several times, Fort de France offers a relatively recent heritage.
Schoelcher Library : Built in the late 19th century, the library has a neo-baroque architecture. Built in 1886 on plans by architect Henri Picq, it was shown in Paris at the Jardin des Tuileries on the occasion of the 1889 Universal Exhibition of Paris, then disassembled for later be moved to Fort-de-France. It contains old books on the history of the island and has 130,000 books. It is named after its largest donor, Victor Schoelcher who gave the Martinique General Council part of his personal library, ten thousand volumes in total.
Fort Saint-Louis : Built in mid 17th century, the Vauban type building then called Fort Royal was intended to monitor maritime access to Fort-de-France. Its strategic value gradually diminished with the progress of modern weaponry, and Fort St. Louis was gradually abandoned, until it turned into a zoo during the nineteenth century. Fort St. Louis has been listed as historical monument since 1993.
Saint-Louis Cathedral : Place of worship for many foyalais, and after being ravaged by fire in 1890, Henry Picq was responsible for building a new cathedral, resistant to fires and hurricanes. The present cathedral was inaugurated in 1895 and has beautiful stained glass chronicling the history of Fort de France.
Parks and Museums
County Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory : The MDAP retains the oldest heritage found in the island of Martinique. It remains a place of study, preservation and dissemination of the archaeological heritage of Martinique, or the Lesser Antilles. The museum is housed in the former building of the Military Commissariat, building completed in 1898, reflecting the military history of Fort-de-France.
The Parc de la Savane : Located near the Fort St. Louis, the Park is the green lung of the Martinique capital. The Savane square is a very popular place among Foyalais, who can walk among five acres of greenery adorned with royal palms, bougainvillea and other plants from around the world.
Relaxation
The nearest beaches are towards Schoelcher. The beaches of Anse Madame are most enjoyable.
Markets
The Spice Market or « Grand Marché » : This is the largest market of the island. Housed in a large market of metal and glass, there are all the local specialties: vanilla, spices of all kinds, peppers, wood, rums, energizing decoctions... Outside, the stalls are themselves laden with local fruit and vegetables.
Fish market : Freshly caught fish and shellfish on the stalls: thazars, red snappers, swordfish, crabs, lobsters ... A market with a lively atmosphere.
Vegetables Market : Located next to the fish market, it stands between the Madame River and Floral Park. The market will offer an assortment of fruits and vegetables from local agriculture.
Author : Bérengère© |
