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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Fort Louis, also named fort l'Union, is a fortification built on Grande-Terre in Guadeloupe, in the commune of Gosier, on the morne l'Union. Its construction was decided in 1686 by governors Hinselin (Guadeloupe) and Blénac (Governor General), to defend access to the Petit Cul-de-sac marine, a strategic route between Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. The works began in 1692 under the direction of engineer Jean-Baptiste de Caylus, with a first wooden structure reinforced with piles and earth.

From 1734 on, the engineers Houël and Bury reshape the fort in masonry, adding bastions to give it a starry shape inspired by Vauban's principles. Despite these improvements, the lack of ditches and counterscarps makes it vulnerable. Between 1743 and 1758, buildings (boxes, powderboxes, tanks) were added, but three hurricanes (1738, 1740, 1742) disrupted the work. The fort fell into the hands of the English in 1759 and was partially restored after 1763 by the engineer Rochemore, on the orders of Governor Bourlamaque.

After the Seven Years' War, the fort was gradually abandoned to the benefit of the Fort Sword Flower. Despite restoration projects in the 19th and 20th centuries, its decline accelerated due to lack of resources. Ranked a historic monument in 1997, it remains today in the form of ruins, bearing witness to the Franco-English conflicts in Guadeloupe and the colonial military architecture.

The site, owned by the department, retains the remains of its star walls, bastions and interior buildings (boxes, guardhouses). Its rectangular plan, flanked by redents and protected by a half-moon sea side, illustrates its key role in defending the Pointe-à-Pitre harbour. The external batteries added after 1763 complete this device, now accessible to the public.

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