La Française beach

French Beach Martinique: Fort-de-France Beach

The French Beach is the only beach located in Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique.

This white sandy beach stretches for about a hundred meters.

Located in the city center, the French Beach is situated at the foot of Fort Saint-Louis. Due to its location, it is at the heart of the city's activities. This has its advantages as well as its disadvantages.

Indeed, it is easily accessible to everyone, well-lit, has a parking lot behind the beach, and offers a view of the bay of Fort-de-France. The French Beach also has a playground for children, making it an ideal place for a family afternoon. However, there is very little shade on the beach, so don't forget to bring your parasol for shelter if needed.

How to Access the French Beach?

To access the French Beach, you need to reach the city center of Fort-de-France and follow the signs indicating Fort Saint-Louis and La Savane Park.

The French Beach is located right next to the walls of Fort Saint-Louis. A sign at the entrance of the beach will indicate that you have arrived, as well as any restrictions related to the beach, including the fact that swimming is not supervised.

Regarding traffic, it's no secret that it's very difficult to avoid traffic jams in and around Fort-de-France and Le Lamentin. On weekdays, try to avoid being on the road, especially in the morning between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM, heading from the south to the north, and from the east to the north. The same applies in the late afternoon from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. You may end up wasting a lot of time in traffic.

To avoid traffic jams, we might have THE solution. Fort-de-France is regularly served by sea shuttles from the Tropical Launches company. Many people use this means of transportation to go to work in Fort-de-France every day and thus avoid rush hour traffic. There are sea shuttles departing from Les Trois-Îlets and Case-Pilote via Fort-de-France. The operating hours are from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM every day of the week. Please note that the schedule may differ on weekends, as there are fewer shuttles than on weekdays.

However, if you are looking for a peaceful and paradisiacal beach, you are in the wrong place! The French Beach is lively day and night, and it should be avoided after dark, as it can quickly become a less desirable place to be.

What to Do Around French Beach?

If you're at French Beach, it would be a shame not to visit Fort Saint-Louis.

On the agenda is a history-packed tour that also offers stunning views of the Flamands Bay. Guided tours are available throughout the day from Tuesday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM, and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 12 PM. Admission is €8 per adult and €4 per child.

For history and heritage enthusiasts, a visit to the Schoelcher Library is a must. Counted among the architectural treasures of Martinique, the Schoelcher Library is the most visited building on the island. It's a must-see during your stay in Martinique. You'll find numerous books there, including Caribbean and Antillean literature.

After a morning or afternoon at the beach, hunger can quickly set in. Being in the city center, it's a great opportunity to explore and enjoy the restaurants of Fort-de-France. You'll have plenty of options to choose from! Another equally enjoyable option could be to have a picnic in La Savane Park and enjoy some shade.

You'll also find a covered market in the city center of Fort-de-France, offering an abundance of local fruits and vegetables, artisanal products, as well as local specialties and plenty of souvenir gift ideas.