Fort Desaix, Military fort in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Fort Desaix stands on Morne Garnier at 146 meters altitude, featuring 34 interior buildings, multiple bastions, and three exterior half-moons.
Construction of the fort occurred between 1765 and 1774 under architect Henri de Rochemore, following defensive techniques developed by military engineer Vauban.
The fortress represents French colonial military architecture in the Caribbean, demonstrating the adaptation of European defensive systems to tropical environments.
Guided tours of the fort take place on weekends from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, requiring advance registration and valid identification 15 days before visiting.
During World War II, the fort served as a secure storage facility for Bank of France gold reserves transported from mainland France.
Location: Fort-de-France
Architects: Henri de Rochemore
Address: Morne Garnier
GPS coordinates: 14.63333,-61.08333
Latest update: May 12, 2025 06:53
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