Fort Sainte Anne

Fort Sainte Anne is a French colonial fortification at the northern end of Lake Champlain in Vermont. The site sits on an island and reveals the military structure that once protected this strategic location by water.

The fort was founded in 1666 by Pierre La Motte and the Carignan-Salières Regiment as the first European settlement in the region. It arose as part of French defense efforts against indigenous groups in this area.

The site marks an early meeting point between French colonists and local communities by the water. It connects European and North American stories in a landscape that shaped both peoples.

The site is reached via Isle La Motte and has interpretive signs explaining the history of the location. Visitors can explore the grounds and understand how the fortifications were positioned along the water.

The grounds hosted the first documented Catholic Mass in the northeastern region and later served as the launching point for military expeditions against local nations. This dual role as both religious and military base gives the place special significance in regional history.

Location: Isle La Motte

Inception: 1666

GPS coordinates: 44.90000,-73.34750

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:41