FORT LOUIS DELGRÈS

Built around 1650, this fort is one of the jewels of the archipelago's military architectural heritage. It was successively named Fort Royal, Fort Richepance and Fort Saint-Charles. In the end, it was the heroic figure of Colonel Delgrès (made famous by his brave action against the re-establishment of slavery) who prevailed. The fort was the scene of clashes between the men led by Louis Delgrès and Joseph Ignace and Colonel Richepance, who came to re-establish slavery on Bonaparte's orders in 1802.

The fort features a cemetery containing the graves of soldiers who died during the colony, the remains of a dungeon and prison, and a powder magazine. The 5-hectare site was classified as a historic monument in 1977. Today, it is stepping up its tourist activity with themed exhibitions throughout the year, notably on local history. On May 27, the day slavery was abolished in Guadeloupe, you can attend a re-enactment of Colonel Delgrès's battle. The site makes for a lovely walk, with a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea on one side and La Soufrière on the other. A permanent exhibition retraces the turbulent events of the rebellion led by Delgrès. A second room houses an exhibition dedicated to the 1976 eruption of La Soufrière. Fort Delgrès is part of the Slave Route itinerary, which features 20 different sites across the archipelago to help visitors understand the history of Guadeloupe.