FORT SAINT-LOUIS
2024
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A rocky promontory nearly 600 meters long, dug out, carved, dressed with stones and raised in places, Fort Royal, renamed Fort Saint-Louis in 1802, is a masterpiece of the defensive arsenal of Martinique. It is one of the best preserved fortresses in the West Indies. It is the fortress that gave its name to the inhabitants of Fort-de-France: the Foyalais, as the Creole for Fort Royal is Foyal.
The history of Fort Saint-Louis began around 1640, when du Parquet, governor of Martinique, decided to fortify the small rocky peninsula that juts into the Royal cul-de-sac, Baie des Flamands. What was initially a simple wooden palisade gradually became, thanks to the will of governors-general such as Baas or Blénac, and with the subsidies granted by Louis XIV, a fort “à la Vauban”, imposing, solid, robust, with its labyrinth of bastions, bunkers, and sentry boxes. The fort was built from volcanic rocks from Mount Pelee! The place is still well guarded! Still active, it has kept its military vocation and houses the headquarters of the Navy command in the Antilles. The tourist office of Fort-de-France organizes very interesting guided tours, about one hour long, which are a must-do! During your walk, you will come across a colony of iguanas (some of which are 1.50 m long!). These herbivorous reptiles from tropical America are witnesses of the zoological past of this fortress.
Further information
Opening time and information on FORT SAINT-LOUIS
Tuesday to Saturday 9am-12pm and 2pm-4pm. Departure point at the tourist kiosk on the Place de la Savane. Adults €8, children €4.
Owner's Message
The entire FORT SAINT-LOUIS team welcomes you!
Members' reviews on FORT SAINT-LOUIS
C'était très instructif, notre guide était très bien, et ses explications nous ont captivé.
De plus, de las haut, on a une vue exceptionnelle de Fort de France.
Une visite que je conseil vivement.
Belles vues sur la baie et la ville
A éviter, surtout vu le prix