Fort Louis, Military fort in Marigot, Saint Martin.

Fort Louis is a ruined stone fort on the heights above Marigot, built from irregular grey, tan and brown masonry blocks. A jagged wall with a tall rounded pillar-like remnant stands on one side, a thicker squared corner on the other, and a white flagpole on a stepped white base flies a blue, white and red flag. Two wooden benches sit on the grassy slope before the walls, which overlook green hills.

In 1765 Governor Auguste Descoudrelles set up three cannon batteries to defend Marigot, one on the Morne de Marigot. Fort Louis was built there in 1789 under Governor Jean-Sébastien de Durat to protect port warehouses storing coffee, salt, rum and cane sugar. Originally of wood, it was later rebuilt in stone, restored in the 19th century, and occasionally seized by English raiders from Anguilla. The Hope Estate archaeological association and Guadeloupe's adapted military service restored it in 1993.

The fort's name honours King Louis XVI of France. In 1993 the Hope Estate archaeological association of Saint-Martin, working with Guadeloupe's adapted military service units, restored and cleared the ruins. Visitors today see the irregular grey, tan and brown masonry of the surviving walls and a white flagpole on a stepped base flying the French blue-white-red flag.

The fort sits on the Morne de Marigot above Marigot; the climb from the town is on foot and the path up is steep, so allow time for the ascent. The grounds are uneven, with broken wall sections and low remnants to step around. Two wooden benches on the grassy slope below the walls offer a place to rest.

From its elevated position, the fort offers views across Marigot, Simpson Bay, and the neighboring island of Anguilla on clear weather days. The location was strategically chosen to spot approaching ships from great distances.