Fort Fleur d'Épée, French colonial fort in Le Gosier, Guadeloupe.
Fort Fleur d'Épée is a fortified structure on the island of Le Gosier featuring underground chambers and passages that run through the complex. The layout reflects classical European military architecture designed for defensive purposes.
The fort was built between 1750 and 1763 and became a flashpoint during conflicts between French and British forces. Control shifted multiple times until 1794, when Victor Hugues led a military operation that reclaimed it for France.
The fort reflects the colonial ties that shaped this region and documents aspects of that era through its displays and layout. Visitors can observe these historical connections woven into the site's exhibitions and architecture.
Access to the fort is on foot via a bridge or causeway, conditions depending on tides and weather. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the underground sections at your own pace.
The entrance hall now serves as a gallery for rotating art collections while preserving its original military design. This dual purpose blends the site's historical importance with contemporary cultural activities.
Location: Le Gosier
GPS coordinates: 16.21667,-61.51306
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43
Guadeloupe has many surprises beyond its main beaches and usual tourist sites. The archipelago hosts places where nature and history come together: waterfalls hidden in the rainforest such as Acomat in Pointe-Noire, spectacular geological formations like the Gullet Grand Gouffre in Marie-Galante where sea jets reach over ten meters high, or beaches with distinct features like Anse du Souffleur in Port-Louis with its calm, shallow waters, or Cluny Beach in Sainte-Rose lined with dark volcanic rocks. These lesser-known sites also tell the story of the archipelago. The Slave Trails in Petit-Canal, carved into stone in 1830, bear witness to the island’s painful past. Fort Fleur d'Épée in Gosier, built in the 18th century, offers views over the bay and preserves its old artillery pieces. The Historic Coffee Plantation in Vieux-Habitants showcases the stages of colonial coffee production with its historic water mill. On the natural side, Petite Terre Nature Reserve near La Désirade protects two islands where sea turtles and dozens of fish species live among coral reefs. These sites encourage discovering a different side of Guadeloupe, away from the typical routes.
Mémorial ACTe
2.8 km
Usine sucrière Darboussier
2.7 km
Église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Pointe-à-Pitre
3.4 km
Musée Schœlcher
3.5 km
Plage de la Datcha
2.4 km
Marché central de Pointe-à-Pitre
3.4 km
Aquarium de Guadeloupe
1 km
Musée Saint-John Perse
3.3 km
Hôtel de ville de Pointe-à-Pitre
3.5 km
Fresque murale en hommage aux victimes de mai 1967
3 km
Phare de l'Îlet du Gosier
3.1 km
Plage de l'Anse Tabarin
1.9 km
Musée l'Herminier
3.5 km
Fort Louis
1.4 km
Sous-préfecture de Pointe-à-Pitre
3.1 km
Ancien hôtel de ville de Pointe-à-Pitre
3.5 km
Maison Petrelluzzi
3 km
Presbytère Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
3.3 km
Capitainerie de Pointe-à-Pitre
3.2 km
École maternelle Bébian
3.3 km
Plage de l'Anse Tabarin
2.1 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes de Massabielle
2.9 km
Plage de Bas-du-Fort
1.2 km
Église Saint-Louis du Gosier
2.3 km
Villa Souques-Pagès
3.3 km
Externat Saint-Joseph-de-Cluny
3.4 km
Musée L'Herminier
3.5 km
Plage de Grand Baie
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