Description of the attraction
Near the city park 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 erected here. In 1666 it was strengthened by building 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 was unable to 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, a city began to form, which we now know as Fort-de-France.
The fort changed its name several times until it was named Fort Saint-Louis in 1814.
Part of the fort, which consists of several bastions, barracks, casemates, is open to tourists. In addition to historical sights, there is also a natural one: a whole family of iguanas is basking on the lawns of the fort.
