Fort Royal, French colonial fort on Castle Hill, Placentia, Canada

Fort Royal is a French fort built in 1687 on the hill above Plaisance, now Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It stood at the top of the hill overlooking Placentia Bay and the port village, and served as both bastion and residence for the governor. The sources do not describe a star-shaped plan.

The French built the fort in 1687 as part of their defense strategy along the northern Atlantic coast. Control passed to the British through the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, marking the end of French dominance in this region.

The fort's name comes from its role as the governor's residence as well as a bastion, according to French sources. After 1713 the English renamed Fort Royal and Fort Saint Louis "Castle Hill", and Plaisance became Placentia. The displaced French settlers moved to Isle Royale, where they began building Louisbourg.

This site is maintained by Parks Canada as Castle Hill National Historic Site and is accessible year-round for visitors. Pathways are well-marked and lead to the stone walls and gun positions that remain for exploration.

Fort Royal was one of three forts the French built around the hill above Plaisance: Fort Plaisance in 1662, Fort Royal in 1687 and Fort Saint Louis in 1690. After 1713 the English renamed Fort Royal and Fort Saint Louis together as Castle Hill.