Fort Sainte Thérèse, National historic site and archaeological fort in Carignan, Canada
Fort Sainte Thérèse sits along the Richelieu River and displays remains of three successive military structures built between 1665 and 1760. The archaeological excavations reveal the layout of fortifications, bastions, and palisades from different construction phases.
In 1665, French soldiers of the Carignan-Salières Regiment built the first fort to protect the colony against Iroquois raids. The site underwent rebuilding over nearly a century, with each phase reflecting changing threats and defense strategies.
The fort takes its name from Saint Teresa of Avila, with the naming coinciding with the saint's religious feast day on October 15. Visitors can trace this connection between religious tradition and military construction at the site today.
The site is exposed to river conditions, so plan your visit with weather and season in mind, especially if you want to explore the excavation areas. Access to the archaeological zones may be restricted at certain times, so check conditions before arriving.
The fort's exact location remained lost until 2007 when researchers rediscovered it through analysis of a 1938 aerial photograph. This discovery shows how modern techniques combined with historical sources can reveal forgotten places.
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