Fort de France, Martinique

2019 Transatlantic Cruise on MSC Divina

Day 15 MSC Divina - Fort de France, Martinique -- November 20, 2019

Please click here for video of our day in Martinique.

Judging by its name, we knew that Fort de France is a port that is greatly influenced by France. In fact, the island is a French overseas territory and Fort de France is the capital of this Caribbean island. We have been to the western Caribbean a couple of times but this part of the eastern Caribbean is new territory to us. It would be exciting no matter where we go and what we do in each of these ports.

I just realized that after our last port, I did not keep any notes in my journal, probably because of the busy port days and I was tired. So, I will try to remember as much as I can and describe what we did for the rest of this trip.

Got up early and saw this out on our balcony. So calm and beautiful!

Don't know what was going on with all these policemen right next to our ship.

It is very easy to navigate from the ship into town here. The walk takes about 15 minutes and you are right in town and it was a very nice walk.

Two ships docked side by side.

At the end of the pier, a row of vendors already set up their wares for a busy cruisers day.

Clear sign right at the pier.

Looking out at the ships docked from the promenade.

This was the only beach that I saw that day, a small one, right near Fort Saint Louis.

It became very busy later on.

Sight of our ship from the La Francaise Beach/Park along the promenade.

This area is very well set up with plenty of shady benches and playground equipment. Just sitting here looking out and enjoy a relaxing couple of hours would suit me just fine.

Fort Saint Louis

This site was the main thing we wanted to see while in port but it was very hot and sunny that day and we did not know how far we had to go to get to the entrance. It looked like there is a long way even to get to the front gate of the fort. We almost gave up hopes until we discovered that we should actually go across the street to figure out how to go about getting there. There was a little sign or something that we saw pointing to the park (La Savane Park) so we walked over and found the kiosk that was selling tickets for tours of the fort. We purchased our tickets and were told the next guided tour would be at 10:00 and that we should come back here at meeting time. They also told us there will be no toilets during the tour so we should use the public toilets at the park that's located right across from the library. 

Found the kiosk that sells tickets of the tours. It cost 8E or $10 per person for a guided tour.

Kiosks at the corner of La Savane Park.

After gathering at the said meeting time, the two guides closed up the kiosks and took the group across the street to the fort entrance, which is just a locked gate near the beach. Two guides were taking us, one experienced guide Maurice and a female guide in training. This is an active military fort, so they took security measures seriously. They had to lock and unlock the gates when taking us in. And we were only able to visit parts of the fort.

Up inside the fort.

Our female guide coming back after locking up the gate behind us.

Getting inside the fort.

A baby iguana on the wall.

Maurice, a wonderful and knowledgeable guide.

What a view!

Iguanas everywhere!

At the top of the fort.

View of the island.

Looking out at the bay of Fort de France.

Right next to the beach.

It was a very interesting and special visit at the fort. Total time inside was about an hour and a half. I was glad that we did not give up the idea of going there. As we were coming back out near the beach, people gathered around us and asked how we got in. I suppose many people wanted to get in but did not know how.

After the fort, we went back across the street and walked around the park. There is a decapitated statue of Napoleon's wife Josephine standing there and also a monument of some kind which I did not take pictures of. Across the street at the end of the park is the Schoelcher Public Library which was built in the 19th century.

A very pretty historical building and free admission to go inside.

Other than books and artifact displays, they also have clean restrooms available in the back.

Almost like New Orleans with a taste of France.

Found St. Louis Cathedral.

At the end of a mass.

Very different but lovely just the same.

Front entrance

It was very hot!

Side of Cathedral

Then we walked over to the Fort de France Grand Covered Market.

At the end of the market where they sell produce, souvenirs, etc. we found the cafe that son was looking for, Chez Carole.

The left side is Chez Carole and the right side belongs to another restaurant.

Chez Carole was highly recommended on the internet. I stayed with son while the rest of the group went their own ways and back to the ship.

Only six items on the menu to choose from.

This is a tiny one-person shop runs by Miss Carole herself.

Complimentary starter, some kind of fritters.

Don't remember the name, but this was the chicken plate that I ordered.

Not bad to have a taste of authentic Creole food. Simple but delicious.

Son having a pleasant chat with Miss Carole, a very nice person.

Service could be a little slow because it was just herself doing everything, but she kept everyone happy.

Back to the ship after lunch and walking around downtown.

It was so convenient being docked so close to town.

Looking out to the fort from our balcony.

Our ship sailing away from the pier at 5:00.

A rainbow!

Caribbean sunset

Vitello Tonnato

(Thinly sliced chilled roast veal in creamy caper sauce)

Gourmand Salad

Greek Spannakopita

Roasted Pork Loin

It only took us half a day to complete our visit in Martinique, but of course this was just the downtown area where we could get to and not really outside the city. I am sure there are many other places worth visiting but those will have to wait. We can only do so much on a cruiser stop. Martinique seemed to be a little bit more developed and cleaner than Bridgetown of the limited places we have seen of the two cities. Let's hope that we will be able to come back to these islands in the future.

"Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth."   --Daniel 9:13~14