  The Fornax cluster provides a uniquely compact laboratory to study the
detailed history of early-type galaxies and the role played by environment in
driving their evolution and their transformation from late-type galaxies. Using
the superb capabilities of the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer on the Very
Large Telescope, high-quality integral-field spectroscopic data were obtained
for the inner regions of all the bright ($m_B\leq15$) galaxies within the
virial radius of Fornax. The stellar haloes of early-type galaxies are also
covered out to about four effective radii. State-of-the-art stellar dynamical
and population modelling allows to aim in particular at better characterising
the disc components of fast-rotating early-type galaxies, constraining radial
variations in the stellar initial-mass functions and measuring the stellar age,
metallicity, and $\alpha$-element abundance of stellar haloes in cluster
galaxies. This paper describes the sample selection, observations, and overall
goals of the survey, and provides initial results based on the spectroscopic
data, including the detailed characterisation of stellar kinematics and
populations to large radii; decomposition of galaxy components directly via
their orbital structure; the ability to identify globular clusters and
planetary nebulae, and derivation of high-quality emission-line diagnostics in
the presence of complex ionised gas.
