Fort Louis St Martin

Name: Fort Louis
Item: Fort Louis
Author: We Love Saint Martin

The largest historical monument, Fort Louis St Martin, sits on a hill overlooking Marigot Bay, Simpson Bay Lagoon, the Lowlands as well as Nettle Bay, Simpson Bay and Anguilla. From the top, Fort Louis St Martin offers spectacular panoramic views of St Martin, St Maarten, the surrounding sea and neighbouring islands.

This imposing figure was built in 1789 by the local people under the instruction of the governor of St Martin and St Barths, Jean Sebastian de Durat. Appropriately named after the king at the time, King Louis XVI, the fort provided one of the best views across the bay and beyond.

Fort Louis St Martin was built to defend its surroundings. Its main purpose was to protect the harbor warehouses, which housed many valuable goods, including salt, coffee, sugar and rum. Over the early years Fort Louis was abandoned and fell into ruin, only to be restored to its former glory once again. During battles between the French and the English, Fort Louis was frequently used by the French to fend off the English whilst they were trying to raid the warehouses on the harbor. The English often tried their luck at stealing their valuable goods when coming across from neighbouring Anguilla.

Canons were positioned all around the perimeter of the fort for protection. No ship could land in Marigot from any direction without coming into the range of direct defensive firepower from high above. The fort isn’t particularly large but it didn’t have to be. It simply had to serve as a perch for pounding foes with withering firepower who couldn’t touch it in return. Anyone attempting to enter the bay with hostile intent would be decimated.

The restoration and renovation of Fort Louis St Martin was carried out by Hope Estate Archaeological Association, in close collaboration with a unit at Guadeloupe’s military service (SMA). Scattered around the site are bi-lingual explanation boards explaining the history of Fort Louis.

It’s possible to drive and park your vehicle very close to the fort. There are then just a few steps to the climb to reach the top. If you are more active, you can walk up the steep incline from the base of Fort Louis, following the path, which will eventually bring you out to the car park next to the top. The fort is open 24/7 to visitors.

Fort Louis

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