Bay view
From the ramparts.
Filo gèn' — CC BY-SA 4.0 · P. Hughes — CC BY-SA 4.0 · P. Hughes — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Patrice78500 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Filo gèn' — CC BY-SA 4.0 · P. Hughes — CC BY-SA 4.0
Fort Napoléon is a stone fort on top of Morne Mire on Terre-de-Haut, in the Les Saintes archipelago south of Guadeloupe, about 1 km in a straight line north of the village of Terre-de-Haut. It overlooks the Bay of Les Saintes, one of the world's most beautiful bays, and has been a listed historic monument since 1997. A first small fort was built on the hill between 1777 and 1779, at 119 m, and named Fort Napoléon in 1805, shortly before the English destroyed it. It was entirely rebuilt in 1867 but never served as a fortress in wartime, becoming instead an internment camp until the early 20th century. Today the fort houses a small museum on the history and culture of Les Saintes, ringed by a moat and solid stone walls. Around it is a botanical garden of succulents and cacti where iguanas roam freely, and its ramparts give the finest view over the bay and islands. Entry is paid. The fort is a walk of about twenty to thirty minutes uphill from the village, or a ride by electric scooter; mornings are coolest for the climb, and check opening times before you go.
From the ramparts.
With iguanas.
History of Les Saintes.
Terre-de-Haut, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe
A twenty to thirty-minute walk uphill from the village.
A cactus garden, iguanas and a wide view.