Phare et batterie de Vieux-Fort, Historical lighthouse in Vieux-Fort, Guadeloupe.
The Phare et batterie de Vieux-Fort is a white lighthouse at the southern tip of Basse-Terre that overlooks the gateway to Les Saintes channel. The site includes battery ruins and viewing points that face the surrounding waters and the Bay of Baillif.
The battery was originally built as Fort Royal in 1635 and later served under the name Fort L'Olive before being abandoned. The lighthouse itself was constructed in 1953 in response to the sinking of the sailing ship La Rochannia in 1947.
The structure represents maritime heritage at the location of Fort Royal from 1635, which later became Fort L'Olive, now preserved in ruins.
A walking path leads to the lighthouse and battery grounds with open access to viewing points. The terrain is hilly, so sturdy footwear and caution on uneven ground are recommended.
The battery housed a garrison that included both French and Caribbean soldiers, playing a strategic role in defending the archipelago. This multiethnic crew reflects the complex military past of the island during its colonial era.
Location: Vieux-Fort
Inception: August 1955
GPS coordinates: 15.94832,-61.70757
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:45
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.
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