Heritage

From monuments to memorial sites, tourists spots to character houses, lush green landscapes to city streets, Fort de France is a treasure chest, waiting to be discovered.

Cultural Centre of Camille Darsière (former Court of Justice) - Schoelcher Library Prefecture of Martinique

Site	Description
Saint-Louis Fort Bd Chevalier Sainte Marthe Historical building	Impressive construction of the 17th century situated on the East side of the "Baie des Flamands", the Saint Louis Fort is an expressive witness of the birth of the city of Fort de France. As a Vauban style, it is together the oldest edifice of the city and one of the most well kept fortresses of the West Indies. Classified as a historical monument in 1973, the fort is the High Command of the West Indies-Guyana Navy. Military base in activity, it doors are open to the public during its annual heritage days (3rd week of september)
Savannah Park	Not far from the Fort lies five (5) hectares of a luscious green Savannah, former known as Place d’Armes. Majestic trees – royal palms, tamarinds, bishops hat trees ... if only palm trees could have spoken, they would have told tales of political and religious gatherings, sporting and cultural events, and of course, the Carnival held at this precise venue. The statues of Belain d’Esnambuc and Joséphine Tascher de la Pagerie born in Trois Ilets - wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, are witnesses of a recent colonial history. Major improvement works are planned from 2005 to 2008.
Gueydon Fountain - 1856 Bd Adhémar Modock - Right bank of the Levassor Canal	Built in the 19th Century, this monument supplied the drinking fountains of the city center with water until a modern network was established. Restoration project is in progress.
Bibliothèque Schœlcher Corner of r. de la Liberté & V. Sévère Tel. : 0596 55 68 30 Monday: 1pm – 5.30pm ; Tuesday to thursday: 8.30am – 5.30pm ; Friday: 8.30am - 5pm ; Saturday: 8.30am - noon - July / August: specific opening times Free of charge Historical building	Designed by the architect Henry Picq, contemporary of Gustave Eiffel, the building was first erected in Paris, then transported and rebuilt in Fort de France in 1893. Its metallic structure, its glass dome and its ornate frontage attract merited attention. Listed as an historical monument in 1993, it represents a heaven to book lovers. The outside walls and the dome interior are adorned with 52 names of authors, philosophers and political figures of the 18^th and 19^th Century : Toussaint-Louverture, Delgrès, Dumas, Hugo, Montesquieu... Appreciated step of our walking guided tour « Ville d’histoire »
Cultural Centre "Camille Darsières" (Former Court of Justice - 1906) & Victor Schœlcher Statue Place Légitime Défense - Rue Schœlcher	Edifices dating from the beginning of the 20th century, the justice court was the theatre of important lawsuits in the history of Martinique. If walls had ears, the courtrooms would resonate with the pleadings of eminent lawyers such as Victor Sévère, Joseph Lagrosillière, Camille Darsières… Within the courtyard, "the ligitimate defense place," stands the statue of the eminent Victor Schoelcher accompagnied by a slave.
Prefecture of Martinique - 1925 82, Rue Victor Sévère Administrative services Access via rue Louis Blanc Tel. : 0596 39 36 00 Monday : 8am – 2pm Tuesday - Friday : 8am - 12.30pm Historical building	Built with reinforced concrete at the beginning of the 20th century, its frontage was inspired from the "Petit Trianon" of Versailles. Because of their architectural and historical interest, the frontages, the roofs and two administrative buildings are registred in the Inventory of historical bulildings. Restricted access to the prefectoral services
Post Office Hotel - 1910 Rue de la Liberté	Frequently used buliding of neo-classical style dating from the 20th century, hosting the postal services.
Bougenot Mansion Bourgeoise house (1887) 82, rue Victor Sévère Monday: 1pm – 5.30pm ; Tuesday to thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm ; Friday: 8.30am to 5pm ; Saturday: 8.30am to noon Tel. : 0596 70 90 18 Free of charge	Built by Eugène Eustache, founder of the Galion sugar refinery in Trinité, at the end of the 19^th Century, the villa became the property of his son-in-law, Emile Bougenot until 1925. Today, inspired by the architectural style of Louisiana, this sumptuous residence surrounded by a vast terrace, is a cyber base. Step of our walking guided tour « Ville d’histoire »
Fontaine Mackau - 1836 Corner of Bd Alfassa and rue Schœlcher	Vestige of the 19th century, a fountain decorated with dogs' heads. She has the name of the Vice-amiral Armand de Mackau, Governor of Martinique in 1835 and 1836