Fort Napoléon des Saintes
Guadeloupe
Fort Napoléon des Saintes is a historic fortification perched atop the Morne Mire on Terre-de-Haut Island in the Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe. Originally built between 1777 and 1779 as Fort Louis, it guarded the Whale Pass and the harbor with its artillery. The fort was destroyed by British forces in 1809 and later rebuilt from 1816 to 1867 into a bastioned fort under Napoleon III, though it never engaged in battle. After military use ceased, it served as a penitentiary and a World War II internment camp. Today, it has been transformed into a museum dedicated to the archipelago’s history, culture, and environment, featuring seventeen exhibition rooms. Surrounding the fort is the Jardin exotique, a botanical garden with local succulent plants and iguanas, offering panoramic views of the Saintes archipelago. The site is recognized as a historic monument and managed by the Association Saintoise de Protection du Patrimoine, making it a unique blend of military heritage and natural beauty.
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Tip: Visit during the dry season for pleasant weather and clearer views. Tickets include access to the museum, botanical garden, and guided tours. Discounts are available for children, students, and groups. Booking in advance is recommended for school groups or larger parties. Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the fort's elevated terrain and gardens.
Interesting facts
- •Fort Napoléon was originally named Fort Louis and built at 119 meters above sea level on Morne Mire.
- •The fort was destroyed by British forces in 1809 but rebuilt between 1816 and 1867 without ever being used in battle.
- •During World War II, it served as an internment camp for French nationals of Italian and Lebanese origin under the Vichy regime.
- •The botanical garden features the rare Melocactus intortus, known locally as 'tête à l'anglais' or 'mother-in-law's cushion'.
- •The fort offers panoramic views of one of the world's most beautiful bays, the Saintes archipelago.
- •It has been a classified historic monument since December 15, 1997.
History
The site was first fortified as Fort Louis between 1777 and 1779 after the British occupation of the Saintes from 1759 to 1763.
Renamed Fort Napoléon in 1805, it was destroyed by the British in 1809 during the Napoleonic Wars.
Reconstruction began in 1816, culminating in a bastioned fort completed in 1867, which never saw combat.
The fort later functioned as a penitentiary and an internment camp during World War II.
After decades of abandonment, restoration efforts began in the 1970s, leading to its current status as a museum and botanical garden.
Place Guide
The Bastioned Fortification1867
Completed in 1867, this bastioned fort features high enclosing walls and a powder magazine, representing advanced 19th-century military architecture designed for improved defense.
Museum Exhibitions
Seventeen rooms inside the former barracks showcase the history of the Saintes archipelago, including navigation techniques, colonization, endemic species, and local traditions, narrated by knowledgeable guides.
Jardin exotique du Fort Napoléon
A botanical garden surrounding the fort, dedicated to local succulent plants such as the Melocactus intortus, and home to iguanas, offering visitors a unique ecological experience alongside panoramic sea views.
Contact
Phone: 0590 99 58 60
