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Martinique
We have been to Fort-de-France 3 times over the years.
The first time was back in the 80's. We did an excursion offered by Cunard Countess called La Tropical. There were no tour buses -- 4 people to a cab and the cab drivers didn't speak any English. We were each given a program discribing in English where all we were going and what we would be seeing. They were listed from A to J and each time we got to a place, our drive would say A and it was up to us to read the description.
A - Fort-de-france -- here we learned that the town began to be become important when the volcano Mount Pele eliminated Saint Pierre in 1902. The town was victim to several catastrophies: in 1839 there was an earthquake; in 1890 it was ravaged by a fire; and in 1891, it was devastated by a hurricane.
B - Schoelcher - an agglomeration in full extension. Its quarters: Petit Paradis, Plateau Fofo, the Cite Saint-Georges, housing moderate rents, the Hotel of the Bateliere and the Center of the University.
C - Case Pilote -- it is one of the oldest townships in the island. It's church which was at first only a modest chapel, dates from the creation of the parish between 1640 and 1645.
D - Bellefontaine - the population of this village is mostly composed of fishermen. It is one of the coastal villages in the western part of the island and is the most typical in the West Indies. Numerous artists have lived there, among them being MARILLAC, who died there.
E - Carbet -- it is also a fishing village located at the base of the Pitons.
MORE to come
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