The city, located on the west coast of the island, is the main economic center and seaport of Martinique. Fort-de-France is the site of one of France's main naval military bases in the Caribbean.
The city developed a food industry, especially sugar refineries and rum distilleries, as well as a thriving tourist center with three forts from the 18th and 19th centuries. A particular attraction is the monument to Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon's wife, born in Martinique, on an estate near the present-day town of Trois-Îlets on the other side of the bay. The monument stands in the La Savane city park, which is currently in liquidation (a modern shopping center is to be built in its place).
