Fort de France cruises, Martinique

What's great about Fort De France cruises?

French and Caribbean flavours combine in Martinique’s Fort de France. Here, you can sip rum punch and sunbathe in a palm tree-dotted park, in between shopping for Yves Saint Laurent clothes and touring sites designed by Gustave Eiffel. Vendors shout out their catch of the day – in French – at the Creole market. And in the restaurants, crêpes are served alongside spicy Caribbean chicken. Don’t miss visiting Anse-Dufour, the most beautiful beach in Martinique, which is also ideal for snorkelling.

• You’ll see the Fort St Louis as you come in to port – this 15^th-century castle is perched on a headland next to the marina. It’s an active military base, but visitors are allowed in for guided tours. Keep an eye out for the iguanas that roam through the grounds.
• Designed by the man behind Paris’ Eiffel Tower, the Schoelcher Library is one of the city’s most eye-catching buildings. Its colourful exterior is topped by a Byzantine dome. Inside, it’s a bit like a museum, with antique books and furniture on display, while also lending books to the public.
• The Balata Gardens are a complete contrast to the city’s urban centre. Towering trees frame lagoon-like ponds, while hummingbirds flit between rainbow-coloured flowers. Climb to the top of one of the suspended walkways for the best view.