Fort Saint-Louis

The Saint-Louis fort

The Fort-de-France audio-guided tour presents you with the Saint-Louis fort, a Vauban-style citadel raised on its rocky promontory, which dominates the bay and gave its name to the city.

A fortress born of the European wars

The history of the fort begins in 1638, when Jacques Dyel du Parquet, lieutenant general of Martinique, undertakes to fortify the peninsula that juts out into the bay. It was then only a wooden palisade protecting the French ships from hurricanes. The Dutch War, in 1672, accelerated its transformation into an impregnable fortress: the garrison repelled the Dutch fleet, ensuring the defensive reputation of the island. The governor general Count of Blénac then perfected the work in the line of Vauban's citadels. The works were completed in 1680 and the fort took the name of Saint-Louis, in tribute to King Louis XIV. It played a key role in the conflicts that opposed the great powers in the West Indies.

What there is to see

The Saint-Louis fort impresses with its powerful Vauban-style walls and its dominant position over the bay of Fort-de-France. Still an active naval base, it can be visited and offers magnificent views over the Caribbean Sea and the city. It is a major witness of the military history of Martinique, to be discovered to understand the strategic past of the island.

Practical information

The Saint-Louis fort stands on its promontory, at the edge of La Savane park, in Fort-de-France. Being an active naval base, the visit is supervised and takes place according to hours and arrangements to be checked on site.

When was the Saint-Louis fort built?

Born of a palisade in 1638, it was transformed into a Vauban-style fortress, whose works were completed in 1680.

Where does the name of the Saint-Louis fort come from?

It was named in tribute to King Louis XIV; it is this fort that gave its name to the city of Fort-de-France.