Fort-de-France Caribbean City Tour

A popular docking point for cruise ships and a must visit during your trip to Martinique

The capital city of Forte-to-France is tops for shopping, architecture, history, and surprising

places to soak in nature. Check out these must-visit locations in the Caribbean city of Forte France

covered market is candy for the senses. Fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, flowers, and

homemade liqueurs abound here. And you may be enticed to buy by taste testing the goods

And if fresh fruit isn't on your shopping list, try the homemade punch. Dating back to 1885

this market is a delight for the senses, for locals and travelers alike

Fort de France's palm tree-laden version of Central Park, La Cévan, offers a

green space amid the city. Take a walk through the park and snap a photo of the controversial statue of Empress Josephine

the first wife of Napoleon. And look across the street to the Shoucure Library, an architectural gem

Built during the 19th century in Paris for the World Exposition, it was sent piece by piece

by boat to Martinique. This library holds abolitionist writer Victor Showshires vast collection of books and music scores with the aim that these resources be available and freely accessible to former slaves Another place to step back in time is at Fort St Louis whose 17th century imposing walls overlook Fort de Francis Bay

To truly learn the most at this historic site, take a guided tour and hear stories of battles won and lost

and about the fort's most interesting modern residents, iguanas. Another historical stop in downtown is the M.A. Caesar Museum inside the theater which bears his name

M.A. Caesar was a poet, author, and politician called the most influential Francophile Caribbean writer of his generation

He also served as mayor of Martinique from 1945 until 2001, with only one brief interruption, and remains a beloved icon of Martinique in residence

On April 17, 2008, M.A. Caesar passed away in Fort de France, and his office inside pays tribute to his legacy

Located just 20 minutes above Fort de France, the Vallotta Gardens were created in 1982 and are home to thousands of diverse tropical plants and hundreds of special palm trees

You'll definitely see something eye-catching that you've never seen before at these botanical gardens

Back at the Creole-style main house with its period furnishings, make sure to take the time to watch the hummingbird in this truly spectacular setting