Fort Saint-Frédéric

Fort Saint-Frédéric is a French colonial fortification on the shore of Lake Champlain with thick limestone walls and multiple levels that once held cannon emplacements. The remains include foundations, earthworks, and scattered stone structures that outline the original military complex.

French troops built the fortification between 1734 and 1737 to control the boundary between New France and British colonies. The British destroyed it in 1759 and later constructed Fort Crown Point on the same grounds.

The ruins reflect how French military design shaped frontier life during the colonial era. Visitors can see how this location embodied the struggle between European powers for control over North American territory.

The associated museum displays artifacts, models, and exhibits about both fortifications and their history. The site is open seasonally and offers lakeside views with clearly marked foundations and interpretive information throughout the grounds.

The site contains overlapping remains of two separate fortifications: after the British destroyed the French structure, they built their own military complex adjacent to it. This layering of two competing military designs allows visitors to compare different approaches to 18th-century defensive construction.

Location: Crown Point

GPS coordinates: 44.02917,-73.43111

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:28