Friday, 22 July 2016

Fort Louis

St. Maarten’s largest historical monument is located above Marigot on the leeward side of the island. Originally built in 1767 to defend Marigot and named after France’s crusading king,For Louis  now offers visitors that make the steep climb to the top a panoramic view of the island. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Anguilla.
Its main essential function was to defend and protect the harbour warehouses where goods were stored (salt, coffee, sugar cane, and rum).
Later the fort was abandoned and fell into ruin, however, during the 19th century it was restored and abandoned again. Throughout this time it was used as a battle site between the French and the English Thanks to the Hope Estate archaeological association, restoration and renovation of the building has once again been undertaken, in close collaboration with a unit of the military service (SMA) in Guadeloupe.
Bi-lingual explanatory panels provide historical information about the fort and its environs.

From its highest point the site offers an unrestricted view of Marigot, Simpson Bay lagoon, Simpson Bay, Anguilla, the Lowlands, and Nettle Bay.


Fort Louis


Marigot Bay 

Would you like to be apart of History? 


4 comments: