Fort Saint Louis description and photos - Martinique: Fort-de-France (Topic)

Fort Saint Louis description and photos - Martinique: Fort-de-France. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Fort Saint Louis.

Photo and description

Near the city park of La Savane, on the seashore, there is a large fort Saint-Louis, which is now the naval base of the French fleet in the West Indies.

The history of the fortification begins in 1638, when Martinique's Lieutenant General Jacques-Diele du Parquet decided to fortify the rocky peninsula that protected the bay and the marina, where ships moored during hurricanes. In those days, a simple wooden fort was built here. In 1666 it was reinforced with a fence and a moat. In January 1672, when the Dutch War began, King Louis XIV ordered the construction of a well-fortified fort in Martinique that could withstand the Dutch attack. The new fortress with two batteries was named Fort Royal. There was always a garrison here that could join the battle, protecting the lives of local residents. In 1674, the Dutch fleet could not take Fort Royal, which was another confirmation: Martinique turned out to be impregnable.

In subsequent years, the citadel was strengthened and expanded. It was renamed in honor of the French monarch, and now it became known as Fort Louis. At that time, 800 people lived in it. At the same time, the Royal Pavilion was built - the residence of the governor of the French colony. Soon, in the vicinity of the fort, the city, which we now know as Fort-de-France, began to form.

The fort changed its name several times until in 1814 it was named Fort Saint-Louis.

Part of the fort, consisting of several bastions, barracks, casemates, is open to tourists. In addition to historical sights, there is also natural: a whole family of iguanas is basking on the lawns of the fort.

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Topic: Fort Saint Louis description and photos - Martinique: Fort-de-France.