Fort Saint-Louis: France

Fort -de-France is the capital of France’s Caribbean departement d’outre-mer of Martinique. With a population of 134,727 inhabitants (1999 census) in the urban area, 94,049 of whom live in the city (commune) of Fort-de-France proper, it is also one of the major cities in the Caribbean.

History

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 Marquees of Baas as governor general. Under his orders and those of his successors, particularly the Count of Blenac, the fort was built with a Vauban design.

Originally named Fort-Royal, the city became economically important after the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelee destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre in 1902.

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) and Port des Galets (La Reunion). 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 Champlain (L9030)
the P400 class patrol vessel Fougueuse (P685)
the frigate Ventose (F733)

Also here are the administratives 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 Riviere salee sation (20 km away).

The fort is also home for the last iguanas of Martinique.

Sights

The city has a fine, natural harbour defended by three forts:
Fort Desaix: built from 1763 to 1780, it was called Fort Bourbon in 1793, Fort la Convention in 1793, Fort George during the British occupations (1794-1802, 1809-1814), and Fort Desaix since 1802. This name was given by Napoleon Bonaparte after General Desaix (1768-1800).
Fort Tartenson
Fort Gerbault

A statue commemorating Martinique-born Empress Josephine, the wife of Napoleon, is in the city.

However, in the late 90’s, the head of the statue has been severed by angry groups of people who were tired of having the statue honored in the Fort-de-France beautiful park also known as “La Savane”.

Indeed, to those angry people, the Empress (who is commonly believed to have influenced the re-implementation of slavery on the island) should have had the same destiny as French Royalties before her (see French Revolution) and after failing to convince the authorities, the people decided to sever the head of the Empress statue and left some red paint on the remaining neck.