7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise

About the destination: Located on the west coast of the island, along the Caribbean Sea, the Martinique capital, formerly called Fort-Royal, invites you to discover its built and cultural heritage. Before touring the beautiful promenade, take a stroll through the historic center, with its colorful shopping streets and splendid buildings, such as the famous eclectic Schoelcher library. The history of this library is quite surprising, since it was built in Paris, and it was entirely built in Fort-de-France in the 19th century. Both its exterior and its interior are magnificent, with its mixture of concrete, wrought iron and wood. In principle, it was destined to host the collection of books and scores of the famous abolitionist Victor Schoelcher. Open to the public, its mission is, among other things, the conservation of heritage documents related to Martinique and the Antilles. You can not miss the splendid cathedral of San Luis, built in the 19th century, with its impressive metal structure, its original belfry covered with aluminum flakes, and its magnificent stained glass windows, five of which tell of the life of San Luis. A little further, at the edge of the sea, you can see the imposing silhouette of the fort of San Luis. Built in the 17th century and declared a Historical Monument in 1973, it offers an incomparable view of the bay. The fort of San Luis was the scene of ancient battles between the French and English. It is currently the property of the National Navy, and can be visited on a guided tour. Then stop at the large plaza de la Savane, converted into a garden, to walk along its avenues or simply stop in the shade of a tree or a real palm tree. Built in the 18th century, it is one of the main places of social life in Fort-de-France. If you want to learn more about the local culture and history of Martinique, be sure to visit the regional museum of history and ethnography. Installed in a bourgeois mansion of 1887, the site hosts temporary exhibitions on the ground floor, and a permanent exhibition on the first floor, with traditional costumes and Creole jewelry. You can also see a living room, a dining room, a bedroom and a bathroom that evoke the bourgeois life of the late nineteenth century.