Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Fort Desaix, originally named Fort Bourbon, is a Vauban-designed military building built between 1764 and 1772 on Morne Garnier at Fort-de-France. Its construction, ordered by Louis XV after the English attack of 1762, aims to protect Fort Louis from land offensives. Led by Lieutenant-Colonel de Rochemore and then by Le Boeuf, the works were supervised by engineer Charles-Augustin Coulomb, who conducted experiments on the resistance of masonries.

In 1768, Rochemore's death led to major changes in the project, including the creation of a defensive bezel and underground bunkers. The fort, completed in 1772, played a key role during the American War of Independence (1775-1783) by deterring British attacks. In 1793 he was renamed the Convention strong, resisting an English siege in 1794 before being occupied and renamed Fort George until 1802.

Napoleon I gave him his present name, Fort Desaix, in tribute to General Louis Charles Antoine Desaix. The fort capitulated again in 1809 against the English, and was restored in 1848. In the 19th century, it was adapted to accommodate coastal artillery batteries. During the Second World War, it housed 286 tons of gold from the Bank of France, originally destined for Canada. Since 1961, he has served as headquarters for the Armed Forces in the West Indies.

Ranked a historic monument in 2009, the fort was removed from this list in 2011 due to military developments. Today, it hosts the 33rd Navy Infantry Regiment and the Armed Forces Staff in the West Indies, marking its continuing strategic importance.

External links