Pointe aux Cannon Battery, fort on St. Pierre island in St. Pierre and Miquelon
Pointe aux Cannon Battery is a small fortification on Saint Pierre Island in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located near the Pointe-aux-Canons Lighthouse. The site features four old cannons on iron carriages and sits on a promontory that offers wide views of the sea and the busy harbor.
The battery was built around 1690 to guard the harbor from sea attacks but was destroyed by the British navy in 1702. It was later rebuilt and refortified in the 19th century during the Crimean War to face new threats.
The name 'Pointe aux Canons' refers directly to the cannons once placed here to defend the harbor. Today, visitors can see four old cannons on display that remind them of how crucial this site was for protecting the island.
The site sits on a rocky promontory with damp ground and low salt-hardy plants, requiring careful footing. The visit offers broad sea views and passing ships, but visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and windy weather.
The four cannons visible at the site today are not in their original position but were placed there later as the actual old fort disappeared over time and with the town's growth. They serve as a reminder of a piece of history that no longer physically exists.
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