Monuments to visit Saint Martin

The site benefits from a superb panorama over the bay of Marigot, Anguilla, the Lowlands, the Clean Bay... Ideal to admire the sunset! It was built in 1789 at the instigation of the governor of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, Jean-Sébastien de Durat. He wanted to protect the rum, sugar and coffee harvests stored in Marigot. It was then left abandoned and restored for the first time in the 19th century before falling into disrepair again. It was restored in 1993 thanks to the archaeological association Hope Estate.

Looking for local color and a sunny atmosphere? The Marigot market is the island's largest souvenir market. You'll find stands selling Friendly Island clothing, shell jewelry, pareos, tablecloths and more, all of which are not produced on the island. There are also a few stalls selling local products such as rhum arrangé in a variety of flavors. You'll also find coconut fiber paintings by a local artist. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, you'll also find freshly caught fish on display under the carbets.

Built at the same time as Fort Louis, around 1789, under the command of Jean-Sébastien de Durat, it stands near Marigot's Catholic church. It housed prisoners until 1968, when it was used to house firefighters. The exterior has remained unchanged since its construction, only the interior has been altered. Since then, prisoners have been held in the penitentiary centers of Basse-Terre or Baie-Mahault in Guadeloupe, on the French side. The Dutch side has a prison at Pointe-Blanche.

The story begins in Little Bay! The fort is located between Great Bay and Little Bay and presents the remains of the most important fortification on the island. It was built in 1631 by the Dutch and was the first Dutch fort in the Caribbean. Only a few walls, a storage building and the remains of 19th century cannons remain. Originally housing only a garrison of 80 men and a dozen weapons, the fort's walls were built of earth. Two years later, the Spanish took possession of the fort and made it their most important defense. For about fifteen years, the fort was occupied by 300 people; a village sprang up behind the fort walls on the south side. Limestone walls were erected to protect it from possible attacks by naval vessels. Peter Stuyvesant's first attempt to retake the fort in 1644 failed. Hit by a cannonball, he lost a leg and gave up. Then the Spanish realized that the strategic importance of the island was diminishing and decided in 1648 to demolish it before leaving the island. French and Dutch troops took possession immediately, before the partition treaty was put in place. For reasons unknown, the Dutch never fully rebuilt the fort. In 1748, Captain John Philips reconsolidated part of it for the defense of the island, and named it Fort Amsterdam. It is now owned by a private company that built the hotel at its entrance.

Willem Hendrik Rink was the last commander of Saint Martin (1790-1800) and kept his post during the French occupation (1795-1801). He was dismissed by the English occupiers in 1802. He was the owner of Retreat, in Dutch Cul-de-Sac. He bought a house on Front Street built in 1788. He had a stone floor added. In 1960, the building was divided in two and changed owners regularly. Unfortunately, the house cannot be visited today.

Pointe Blanche Fortress was once used to protect St. Martin. From Philipsburg, take Front Street and turn left to continue to a T-intersection. Then take the climb up the hills surrounding Philipsburg. This is a scenic route where you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the bays, beaches and several islands including Anguilla. Of the fortress, however, there is not much left.

This old 19th century house was famous for its vineyards. Its architecture is reminiscent of the style of American colonial houses: the entire house was imported in pieces from Baltimore. It was delivered by schooner in 1871 by the Van Romondt family and assembled on site. This house has a twin in the United States: Martha's Vineyard, in Massachusetts. Today, the house is owned by the Bucamper family, who keep this historic building in perfect condition.