Fort Saint-Louis - Martinique
Posted by: 
Beagle-1
N 14° 36.069 W 061° 04.016
20P E 708234 N 1615097
The original Fort Saint-Louis was built on this narrow peninsula in 1638 but it has been expanded many times since. Parts of it are still being used by the military but the rest can be visited.
Waymark Code: WM371J
Location: Martinique
Date Posted: 02/20/2008
Views: 110
Fort Saint-Louis
Built in 1638 at the beginning of colonization, Fort Saint-Louis took its current aspect at the XVIII century. Dominating the peninsula which bars the access to Bay of the Carenage, it made it possible to push back the attempts at invasion of Ruyter in 1674 and the admiral Rodney in 1759. 3 years later, in 1762, its imposing walls were not to him of any help, when English seized the neighbouring heights to bombard it. Its strategic value seriously reduced by progress of the modern armament, Fort Saint-Louis was gradually given up, until being transformed into Zoo during the XIX century. Property of the National Navy, the Fort, military base in activity, is opened to the public at the time of guided tours..
In 1638, Jacques Duparquet, first governor of Martinique, decided to have Fort Saint Louis built to protect the city against enemy attacks. The fort was soon destroyed, and rebuilt in 1669, when Louis XIV appointed the Marquis of Baas as governor general. Under his orders and those of his successors, particularly the Count of Blénac, the fort was built with a Vauban design.
Originally named Fort-Royal, the administrative capital of Martinique was shadowed by Saint-Pierre, the oldest city in the island, which was renowned for its commercial and cultural vibrancy as "The Paris of the Caribbean". The name of Fort-Royal was changed to a short-lived "Fort-La-Republique" during the French Revolution, and finally settled as Fort-de-France sometimes in the 19th century. The old name of Fort-Royal is still used today familiarly is its Creole language form of "Foyal", with the inhabitants of the city being "Foyalais".
Naval base
The Fort Saint-Louis in Fort-de-France is one of the French naval bases of the Caraib, along with Degrad des Cannes (French Guiana).
It is under command of the capitaine de vaisseau in charge of the Navy and the Naval air force for the Caraibs (COMAR ANTILLES). The forces based here include:
the BATRAL Francis Garnier (L9031)
the P400 class patrol vessel Fougueuse (P685)
the frigate Ventôse (F733)
Also here are the administrative buildings of the base, the service for naval constructions, the radio station of Pointe des Sables and the ammunition storage facilities (at the end of Fort de France), and the Rivière Salée station (20 km away).
The fort is also home to the last iguana (Iguana Delicatissima) populations of Martinique. However it is discussed whether the reptiles are native to Martinique or are remnants of the population of a small zoo that was located in the fort at the beginning of the 20th century.
The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1638
Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": France
Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: Yes it was
What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: Used for defence of a border or land claim.
Current condition: Excellent and currently still being used by the French Navy
This site is administered by ----: The French Navy
Open to the public?: Restricted hours -Admission charged
Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": [Web Link]
If admission is charged -: Not Listed
Official or advertised web-page: Not listed
Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed
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